PBMarlin Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Big-hitting prospect gets a new view By Juan C. Rodriguez Staff Writer Posted June 21 2004 The Marlins have moved their best minor league hitter from third base to the outfield with an eye toward getting him to the majors. Sound familiar? A season after accelerating Miguel Cabrera's ascent to the big leagues with a position switch, the Marlins are trying it again with Triple-A Albuquerque third baseman Joe Dillon. Dillon started in left field for the first time this season Sunday in Nashville. The Marlins, who have scored two runs or fewer in three of their past four games, are more interested in Dillon's bat than his glove. Dillon, 28, entered Sunday's game hitting .384 (53 for 148) with 17 homers, 40 RBI and a 1.304 on-base plus slugging percentage through 37 games for the Isotopes. Like Cabrera last season, Dillon has played primarily third base, making a combined 59 starts there between Double-A Carolina and Albuquerque. Dillon also has started 11 games at first and second for the Isotopes. Predicating the move was an offense that has scored two runs or fewer eight times since June 2. The Marlins also have concerns about Jeff Conine's right shoulder. Conine missed two games earlier this week after receiving a second cortisone shot for an inflamed joint. The injury is a bigger hindrance hitting than throwing, but Conine could find himself in a first-base platoon with Hee Seop Choi if the Marlins promote Dillon. Though he went 1 for 4 and knocked in the Marlins' first run with a groundout, Conine's average with runners in scoring position dipped to .167 (9 for 54). "We're missing something," manager Jack McKeon said. "I don't know what it is. Don't forget, we lost three bats out of the lineup from last year's team. We got guys who replaced them, but we're not in sync yet." Added third baseman Mike Lowell: "We don't need more hitters. We need everybody to do a little better ... We've run into some good pitching, but we haven't been executing like we should." Link to Article Could Dillon be the extra bat we need? Someone keep us posted on Dillon's transition to the OF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beinfest4Prez Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Dillon, if it works it works, if it doesn't then time to get Carlos Beltran, or Frank Catalanatto, or whoever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Considering he was hitting 40 points higher just a very short time ago (approx .420) he seems to be in slump right now. If I remember correctly (and no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong) we got him either from the Chicago Cubs in a trade or they cut him and 'Topes picked him. In the past he's been cosidered something of a minor league journeyman ala Admin Sutton. Perhaps he's a late-bloomer and is finally ready for the bigs. Let's hope if he gets called up he can bring some fire to this smoldering offense of ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamarlins3 Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 He's the last option before a trade so we'll see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBMarlin Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 Provided he can make the adjustment to LF, I am in favor of trying him out, and giving Conine time to rest his shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Shadow Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 He's the last option before a trade so we'll see I agree 1.sit people down try those on your bench 2.shake the line-up 3. try someone from your farm system 4. GO OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION! Let's get to number four already :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Nitelight Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 There is no such thing as a 28 year old prospect... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Guapo Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Dillon, if it works it works, if it doesn't then time to get Carlos Beltran, or Frank Catalanatto, or whoever. i agree...lets see what he can do cause he not getting any younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlins2003 Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 There is no such thing as a 28 year old prospect... lololol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc marlin Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Considering he was hitting 40 points higher just a very short time ago (approx .420) he seems to be in slump right now. If I remember correctly (and no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong) we got him either from the Chicago Cubs in a trade or they cut him and 'Topes picked him. In the past he's been cosidered something of a minor league journeyman ala Admin Sutton. Perhaps he's a late-bloomer and is finally ready for the bigs. Let's hope if he gets called up he can bring some fire to this smoldering offense of ours. He was out of baseball last year and was just a guy that was signed to take a roster spot this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 quite amazing isnt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malman Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Jim Morris II. Morris was the feel-good sports story of 1999, when at 35 he became a rookie pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays :whistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 reopened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rferry Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Woo. Let's see if he can hit major league pitching in the regular season. Something that other older 'prospect' we have in the outfield (WTFNUNEZ) hasn't. Dillon was drafted by the KC Royals, joined the Twins as free agent then retired before coming back and signing with the Marlins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Shadow Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Woo. Let's see if he can hit major league pitching in the regular season. Something that other older 'prospect' we have in the outfield (WTFNUNEZ) hasn't. Dillon was drafted by the KC Royals, joined the Twins as free agent then retired before coming back and signing with the Marlins. or Millar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Fillet Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Considering he was hitting 40 points higher just a very short time ago (approx .420) he seems to be in slump right now. If I remember correctly (and no doubt someone will correct me if I'm wrong) we got him either from the Chicago Cubs in a trade or they cut him and 'Topes picked him. In the past he's been cosidered something of a minor league journeyman ala Admin Sutton. Perhaps he's a late-bloomer and is finally ready for the bigs. Let's hope if he gets called up he can bring some fire to this smoldering offense of ours. He was out of baseball last year and was just a guy that was signed to take a roster spot this spring. Great. Scounting with the warm body theory. I also think it's terribly optimistic to think that every mid-season call up in going to perform as well as Cabs and Willis did last year. It also sounds like the clubhouse (McKeon and Lowell quotes) thinks more along the lines that the current lineup needs to gel a bit more, not be injected with some fresh meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWiener Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 There is no such thing as a 28 year old prospect... They are rare, but not unheard of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrizzle Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Is Dillon a good defender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnylons Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 I think they are trying to find an option to play LF and put Conine on the DL. I think his shoulder is hurting him more than we know. Cortisone shot? Not good. Dillon is hitting very well. I dont see why we shouldnt promote him. Then again, Padgett is hitting pretty well and I would like to see us go with Aguila. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFanPR Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 I'm not a Dr., so I don't know wtf I'm talking about, but, I'm pretty sure you can't keep getting Cortisone shots and play every couple of weeks. I believe moving Dillon to LF is very good evidence that the FO is planning a move pretty soon. Additionally, I also agree with what MIkey said. Sure, it'd be nice to get another bat, maybe a veteran through trade or whatever, but the problem right now with the offense is that they're going through a COLLECTIVE slump!! Hey, it happened to the Phillies at the beggining of the season, and we knew that sooner or later they'd turn it around...now it's our turn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minus Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Bring him up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Might as well give him a spot on the bench.....but who does he replace? Mordy? Nunez? I wouldn't expect much.....this is the PCL, one of the most hitter-friendly leagues in baseball. He's not gonna be a savior by any means. It's gonna take more than calling up a 28 year old journeyman minor leaguer to get us going again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTrizzle Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 Might as well give him a spot on the bench.....but who does he replace? Mordy? Nunez? I wouldn't expect much.....this is the PCL, one of the most hitter-friendly leagues in baseball. He's not gonna be a savior by any means. It's gonna take more than calling up a 28 year old journeyman minor leaguer to get us going again. ill go with geemoney on this one he doesnt seem like much at 28 years old he cant be anything special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastie Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 What moving Dillon to LF does is make Conine realize that if he doesnt start producing that someone is going to take his spot. I think this is a great move since Coni is really struggling but I dont think Dillon is the answer. But who knows he very well might be. Also Conine is not the only reason why the O is struggling. in june Pierre is hitting 237 Lowell is hitting 178 Once Pierre and Lowell get back in track you will see how the O will come back. We just have to be patient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted June 21, 2004 Share Posted June 21, 2004 What moving Dillon to LF does is make Conine realize that if he doesnt start producing that someone is going to take his spot. I don't think you have to call up a guy from AAA to make a guy like Conine realized that he needs to start producing. I think he's well aware of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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