Five players to watch as Marlins report to spring training with new manager, new players

JUPITER — Spring training fittingly opened for the Miami Marlins on Thursday morning with their ace Sandy Alcantara on the mound.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Alcantara threw his first bullpen session at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex.

Pitching is the bedrock of the Marlins as they aim to make some noise in the loaded National League East. Pitchers and catchers are getting a head start in spring training, with full-squad workouts scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

A two-time All-Star, Alcantara looks ready to build on his award-winning 2022 season, when he posted a 14-9 record with a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts. The 27-year-old is one of the team’s building blocks.

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As for the rest of the team, there are unanswered questions. The Palm Beach Post focuses on five players to watch.

Jazz Chisholm Jr., center field

The search for a true center fielder has been a challenge for the Marlins. Last spring, they experimented with corner outfielder Jesus Sanchez at the position. It didn’t work out.

So, after signing free agent infielder Jean Segura and trading for second baseman Luis Arraez, the decision was made to switch All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to center.

Chisholm, the team’s most dynamic position player, is certainly athletic enough to make the switch. The issue: He’s never played any outfield spot since signing as a professional player from the Bahamas in 2016.

Enter Chisholm as an option.

“I’m willing to do whatever you want,” new manager Skip Schumaker said of an off-season conversation with Chisholm. “If you need me in center field. If you need me at shortstop. If you need me at second, whatever you need, I’m willing to help you win and help our team win.”

Foremost, the Marlins need Chisholm healthy. The 25-year-old played in just 60 games, but still managed 14 home runs, 12 stolen bases and a .535 slugging percentage to go with a .254 batting average.

Eury Perez, right-handed pitcher

Listed at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds, the sky is the limit for Eury Perez.One of MLB’s top prospects, the 19-year-old opened eyes by dominating Double-A hitters a year ago. Now, the 19-year-old makes it clear he’s ready to make the leap to the big leagues. From Day One.

“I think I’m ready,” Perez said. “I feel ready.”

What the hard-throwing right-hander admits he lacks is experience. Facing big-league hitters in the spring will help him there.

The slender-built Perez also says he needs to add some more weight so he will be able to handle the workload required to be an MLB starter.

“I think I probably have to gain a little more weight so I can maintain myself a little more in the game, gain a little more stamina,” Perez said through an interpreter. “I’m looking forward to the team to make a good decision.”

Asked if his goal is to break camp with the major league club: “Yeah, honestly, it is, and that’s the goal for everybody inside that clubhouse.”

It’s going to be a challenge to make the opening day roster because he’s in camp as a non-roster invitee.

A.J. Puk, left-handed pitcher

Former Florida Gators left-hander A.J. Puk was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Feb. 11 for outfielder J.J. Bleday.

A sixth overall pick by Oakland in 2016, Puk is expected to pitch in high-leverage innings, and perhaps even close.

“This is a player that we had our eye on for a bit,” Marlins general manager Kim Ng said. “He obviously had a very nice year last year.”

Puk has dealt with injuries but established health in 2022, appearing in a career-high 62 games, with a 3.12 ERA in 66 1/3 innings.

Before the trade, the A’s wanted to stretch Puk out in spring training to see whether he could become a starter. The Marlins have starter depth, and the southpaw is being looked at in the bullpen.

“Whatever this team needs,” he said. “I don’t mind a bullpen role.”

As for a specific role, Puk said he would welcome being a closer. That’s to be determined.

“I’m sure we’ll talk more as they see me throw,” he said. “I’m happy to be in the bullpen. Those are fun innings to pitch. When the game is on the line, you come in.”

Luis Arraez, second base

Upgrading a stagnant offense was the front office’s top offseason priority. Acquiring Arraez from Minnesota for right-hander Pablo Lopez and two prospects helped address the club’s biggest need.

The 25-year-old was the American League’s 2022 batting champion, hitting .316 with eight home runs, 49 RBIs and a .795 OPS.

The price to obtain one of the better pure hitters in the sport was high. Lopez was Miami’s No. 2 starter, and shortstop Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio are talented teenage prospects.

“We were willing to trade some of our pitching to do it,” Ng said at the time of the trade. “What we get in Luis Arraez is a left-handed, very good hitter.”

Johnny Cueto, right-handed pitcher

Signing Cueto as a free agent had a domino effect because the 37-year-old provided veteran depth that made it easier for Miami to deal Lopez for Arraez.

Cueto comes off a strong season with the Chicago White Sox, where he was 8-10 with a 3.35 ERA in 158 1/3 innings.

On a relatively young staff, Cueto provides stability and leadership.

“You’ll see him running stadium [steps] at like 1:30, way up on the third tier, because it means a lot to him,” Schumaker said. “That rubs off. He’s a lot of fun the four days between his starts. But during that fifth day, all day, it’s game on.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Five players to watch as Miami Marlins open spring training in Jupiter