One of the main reasons I love Spring Training more than the preseasons in the other major sports, is how often players can play their way onto the big league rosters with a good Spring campaign. Save for the catchers (covered in Part One), I’m going to go infield to outfield, and detailing the possible position battles that could take place, with the most interesting ones, I believe, being 3rd base, and center field.
First Base
Mike Jacobs is firmly entrenched at first, and really has no competition to speak of. His backups, however aren’t exactly set in stone. Jorge Cantu and Luis Gonzalez (yes, THAT Luis Gonzalez) are the most likely candidates as of right now.
Second Base
Also another fairly straight forward decision. Dan Uggla should be your Opening Day 2nd baseman. Cantu and Jose Castillo are going to be the primary backups.
Shortstop
Let me see, I think the Marlins SS from last year was fairly good. If only I could remember his name… Naturally I’m talking about All-Star-to-be Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez could have a very special season, IF he gets help in the lineup. I see a possible 3o HR’s, 50 2Bs, 100 RBIs, and 50 SB’s this year. Wow. If the Marlins make a little noise in the very strong NL East, Ramirez should be the reason.
Third Base
This could be very, very interesting. Jorge Cantu, Dallas McPherson, and Jose Castillo all have a strong case to be the Opening Day starter at the hot corner. All three have the talent offensively and defensively to play every day, but consistency is the key. Will Cantu be the player he was two seasons ago in Tampa, or the expendable commodity that was shipped to Cincinnati for the last part of ‘07? Can McPherson live up to the ‘04 Minor League Player of the Year status? How about Castillo? Defensively, he’s solid, but is his bat too weak? Keep an eye on this, or go more in depth with this article at marlins.mlb.com
The Outfield
While it appears that Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham are going to start in RF and LF, respectively, center field is up for grabs. Super prospect Cameron Maybin, and last year’s fill-ins Alejandro de Aza and Cody Ross are all in the running for the job, and unless he has a really strong spring, I don’t think that Maybin will be the starter. Although he had a strong showing in Monday’s intrasquad scrimmage, ripping a RBI double in his first AB, I would really like to see the Marlins take their time with him, and bring him into the fold at the right time. He is only 20 years old, and they have time on their side.
While Spring Training games don’t count in the standings, this year more than ever, I think that they will have a big impact on the Marlins’ season.
Next in the Spring Training Preview: How will the Marlins fare in the loaded NL East? I may surprise you with what I think will happen.
