A position-by-position look at the Miami Marlins as spring training games begin
As the Miami Marlins prepare to begin playing spring training games ahead of the 2020 season, here’s a position-by-position breakdown of how the Marlins might look defensively this season:
Catcher
The contenders: Jorge Alfaro, Francisco Cervelli.
On the outside: Chad Wallach.
Analysis: Alfaro is the power-hitting up-and-comer getting ready for his third full season as a starter and second with the Marlins after being acquired as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade. Cervelli is the veteran with a knack for defense and working with pitching staffs who will mentor Alfaro while also competing for playing time himself. They provide Miami with a formidable one-two punch behind the plate.
First base
The contenders: Jesus Aguilar, Garrett Cooper.
On the outside: Lewin Diaz.
Analysis: The Marlins picked up Aguilar off waivers in December and see him as their everyday first baseman. They hope he returns to his 2018 form when he hit 35 home runs and drove in 108 batters during an All-Star season with the Milwaukee Brewers. Cooper played 73 games at first base for Miami last season and can also play right field.
Second base
The contenders: Isan Diaz, Jonathan Villar, Jon Berti.
Analysis: The Marlins are optimistic Diaz will learn from his two-month MLB debut at the end of last season and can be their everyday second baseman. If he can be a steady producer this spring, the job is his. Otherwise, Villar (more on him later) or super-utility Berti could slip in to that spot.
Shortstop
The contenders: Miguel Rojas, Villar, Berti.
On the outside: Jazz Chisholm.
Analysis: The Marlins signed Rojas to a two-year extension at the end of the 2019 season and the anticipation is that he will be the main guy at shortstop. Rojas hit .284 with career highs in doubles (29) and runs scored (52) last season in his first season as an everyday shortstop while continuing to be stellar defensively. Villar and Berti again are options here to spell Rojas when needed.
Third base
The contenders: Brian Anderson, Berti, Villar.
On the outside: Eddy Alvarez.
Analysis: In the ideal scenario, Marlins manager Don Mattingly would roll Brian Anderson out at third base as often as he could. Mattingly and the Marlins organization view Anderson as the team’s third baseman of the future. However, depending on how a couple other spots shake out, Mattingly might need Anderson in right field, which would open the door for Villar or Berti to get extended reps at the hot corner.
Outfield
The contenders: Anderson, Berti, Lewis Brinson, Cooper, Corey Dickerson, Monte Harrison, Matt Joyce, Matt Kemp, Harold Ramirez, Magneuris Sierra, Villar
On the outside:
Analysis: Given the roster construction, the Marlins will likely have four true outfielders on their roster (not including Anderson, Berti, Cooper and Villar).
Dickerson is penciled in as the Marlins’ starting left fielder. That’s as close to set in stone as it can be. The Marlins signed him to a two-year, $17.5 million deal this offseason and plan to get the most out of him.
Joyce and Kemp seem likely to make the roster. Joyce could platoon at right with Cooper and Anderson also possibly getting starts there. Kemp, a non-roster invite to spring training, seems destined for a bench role if he makes the club.
That theoretically leaves one roster spot for Brinson, Harrison, Ramirez and Sierra.
Also note: The Marlins are testing natural middle infielder Villar out at center field this spring with the hope he can quickly catch on at the position. If he does end up being the main starter, it relegates the one survivor of the four above to bench and spot-start roles.
Starting pitching
The contenders: Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith, Pablo Lopez, Jose Urena, Jordan Yamamoto, Elieser Hernandez, Nick Neidert, Robert Dugger
On the outside: Sixto Sanchez, Edward Cabrera, Trevor Rogers, Braxton Garrett, Jorge Guzman
Analysis: Alcantara and Smith are locks barring injury. Lopez is the next closest to being secured. That leaves two spots for likely some combination of Urena, Yamamoto and Hernandez unless Neidert or Dugger really step up in spring.
Bullpen
The contenders: Jeff Brigham, Adam Conley, Yimi Garcia, Elieser Hernandez, Brandon Kintzler, Sterling Sharp, Ryne Stanek, Drew Steckenrider, Stephen Tarpley
On the outside: Brad Boxberger, Daniel Castano, Tommy Eveld, Dylan Lee, Aaron Northcraft, Josh A. Smith, Pat Venditte, Alex Vesia.
Analysis: The Marlins overhauled their bullpen this offseason and have a host of new faces are expected to make the team. Kintzler is the favorite to close, while returners Stanek and Steckenrider will likely get high-leverage, late-inning duties. Brigham impressed late last year. The Marlins are high on new acquisitions Sharp (Rule 5 draft), Tarpley (trade with Yankees) and Garcia (free agent signing). They also hope Conley can rebound from a poor 2019.
