ATLANTA -- In 1997, the Marlins selected outfielder Chris Aguila in the third round of the First-Year Player Draft.

 

On Monday, the 25-year-old from Reno, Nev., received his Major League calling.

 

The Marlins recalled Aguila from Triple-A Albuquerque and designated right-handed reliever Toby Borland for assignment.

 

The Marlins have 10 days to outright, trade or release the 35-year-old Borland, who was 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 18 apperances.

 

Aguila, who captured manager Jack McKeon's attention in Spring Training, hit .300 with 17 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 41 RBIs for the Isotopes.

 

By adding Aguila, who was in his eighth minor league season, the Marlins once again are carrying 14 position players and 11 pitchers. They had been going with 12 pitchers for a few weeks.

 

"We didn't need 12 pitchers and I liked him very much in Spring Training," McKeon said.

 

Aguila is the club's true second backup outfielder, along with switch-hitter Abraham Nunez.

 

Nunez made the team out of Spring Training and the Marlins initially went with Wil Cordero as their second outfielder and backup first baseman. The team now has two backups capable of playing all three outfield spots. With Cordero out indefinitely because of two knee surgeries, McKeon sometimes used Lenny Harris in left field and even has played reserve infielder Damion Easley in the outfield.

 

Aguila was informed he would be moving up after batting practice on Sunday.

 

Isotopes manager Tracy Woodson broke the news slowly, first saying Aguila wasn't going to play.

 

Aguila asked, "What's up?"

 

Woodson then said the words Aguila waited to hear since he signed in 1997.

 

"You're going to the big leagues tomorrow," Woodson informed.

 

Elated, Aguila called his mother, Maryanne, who was at church in Reno, where she was getting baptized.

 

In a place of prayer, Maryanne quipped: "He answered [her prayers] that quick."

 

"It was just a very joyful moment," Aguila said.

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp

 

Discuss.

Good numbers. He seems like a good contact hitter and hopefully he will help bring this team back. Hopefullly we will also see Dillon very sooon...

Nice for him. Let's see if it's nice for us.

 

Remember Nunez? He was the bomb diggity during Spring Training. Now look at him.

After seeing him last night, it's obvious he's got a cannon of an arm. That throw he made from almost near the warning track to home plate was spectacular, his arm is much better than Niners.

After seeing him last night, it's obvious he's got a cannon of an arm. That throw he made from almost near the warning track to home plate was spectacular, his arm is much better than Niners.

That throw last night was awesome. I wish Chipper would've ran to get embarassed.

Why Aguila and not Dillon ???? i dont get it

Because Dillon is a natural infielder and they are seasoning him out in the OF. He isn't ready yet and this means that maybe WTFNunez is finally on the outs after that love-affair.

Why does everyone want Dillion sad bad? His an infielder and the infield is fine the way it is, where we got problems is in LF that what we need. We dont need Joe Dillion let use that bum for trade bait.

Why does everyone want Dillion sad bad? His an infielder and the infield is fine the way it is, where we got problems is in LF that what we need. We dont need Joe Dillion let use that bum for trade bait.

They are training him to play LF.

 

And, uh, sad bad?

Why Aguila and not Dillon ???? i dont get it

 

Simply, because Dillon has failed so far to show management that he is capable of playing MLB outfield and may not be able to make the transition in time for it to make a difference in 2004.

 

I believe his last few starts may have been back in the infield and the OF experiment has been put on the back burner.