The future appears to be now for Marlins minor leaguer Joe Dillon.

At age 29, Dillon will try to complete his storybook journey of reaching the Major Leagues.

 

Drafted in 1997 by the Royals, Dillon spent eight years toiling in the Kansas City minor league system before retiring because of back problems in 2003. After undergoing surgery, and serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas Tech, Dillon signed a minor league deal with the Marlins this past season.

 

Then 28, he played himself into prospect status, combining for 39 home runs and 117 RBIs at Double-A Carolina and Triple-A Albuquerque.

 

Recently added to the 40-man roster, Dillon will get a shot to make the Marlins as a bench player in Spring Training. To continue to develop his skills, the third baseman/outfielder is currently playing for Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter Leagues.

 

"It's about now with him," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins' vice president of player development and scouting. "He will come in battling for a role position. Jobs are open on the bench. We want to make him versatile to play two or three positions."

 

Normally, the Marlins prefer prospects play in the minor leagues rather than sit the bench in the Majors.

 

But because of Dillon's age, and his nine years of minor league experience, he is viewed as a realistic reserve option. His makeup and maturity is such that the team feels he can handle playing in spot situations.

 

"He's kind of resurrected his career," Fleming said. "I saw him with Kansas City and I liked him then. He's a third baseman by trade, but he's going to Mexico playing outfield and third base."

 

Dillon can also play second and first. Should he make the Marlins, he likely wouldn't play much second base, but could see action behind Jeff Conine at first.

 

After his fast start in '04, the Marlins asked the Albuquerque staff to test Dillon as a corner outfielder. He played mostly left field, and was shaky defensively, which is one reason why he wasn't called up.

 

But it isn't his defense that has intrigued the Marlins.

 

In Triple-A, Dillon batted .325 with 30 home runs and 86 RBIs. His slugging percentage was .665. He had 403 at-bats and added 12 stolen bases in 15 chances.

 

Before being promoted, Dillon saw action in 33 games with Double-A Carolina, batting .342 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs.

 

"At some point players are no longer prospects," Fleming said. "He has power and he drives the ball well to the gaps."

 

Continuing to elevate his game in Mexico would seem to enhance his chances of finally making it to the big leagues.

 

In all, the Marlins have 16 players participating in Winter Leagues. They are: left-hander Franklyn Gracesqui (Dominican Republic's Escogido), right-hander Mike Neu (Mexico's Navajoa), outfielder Matt Padgett (Mexico's Guasave), outfielder Xavier Arroyo (Puerto Rico's Carolina), catcher/outfielder Angel Molina (Puerto Rico's Ponce), catcher Luis Alen (Venezuela's Pastora), outfielder Jose Aponte (Venezuela's Aragua), right-hander Jean Carlos Araque (Venezuela's Pastora), right-hander Yorman Bazardo (Venezuela's Aragua), right-hander Ronald Belisario (Venezuela's Aragua), infielder Quincy Hernandez (Venezuela's Pastora), right-hander Victor Prieto (Venezuela's Caracas), catcher Freddi Smolarski (Venezuela's Pastora), and right-hander Mauro Zarate (Venezuela's Caracas).

 

 

 

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

 

 

I'm excited to see what he can do in the big leagues

Super

These are the kinds of strategies we need to push more. Avoid the Lenny Harris signings and scrounge for guys like this that won't cost more than a few K.

These are the kinds of strategies we need to push more. Avoid the Lenny Harris signings and scrounge for guys like this that won't cost more than a few K.

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couldnt agree more :thumbup

These are the kinds of strategies we need to push more. Avoid the Lenny Harris signings and scrounge for guys like this that won't cost more than a few K.

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I agree with that in theory, but I still don't see what the big deal with Dillon is. I don't see how he is that much of an upgrade over Lenny (except in the payroll perhaps).

These are the kinds of strategies we need to push more.? Avoid the Lenny Harris signings and scrounge for guys like this that won't cost more than a few K.

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I agree with that in theory, but I still don't see what the big deal with Dillon is. I don't see how he is that much of an upgrade over Lenny (except in the payroll perhaps).

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That's the point...We arn't the damned Yankees. If we can get equal talent for less money why are we wasting time spending more money for a relic like Harris. And guaranteed money as well! A travesty.

Give dillon a chance if he can provide some good a bats off the bench at his price he is defintely an asset to the team. Realistically Dillon right now is more MLB ready than willingham and we can actually put him on the bench which would be a dumb thing to do with willy

He didn't show anything last year in his limited at bats up here. I'm hopeful he can put something together, and at the very least, he's a lefty bat.

 

I'm hopeful he goes on a tear early and forces his way into playing time...there is no greater luxury than a lefty bat forcing its way into the lineup.

He didn't show anything last year in his limited at bats up here. I'm hopeful he can put something together, and at the very least, he's a lefty bat.

 

I'm hopeful he goes on a tear early and forces his way into playing time...there is no greater luxury than a lefty bat forcing its way into the lineup.

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Sounds like another Abe Nunez to me. Anyway, good luck to him.

We should have called him up last year. I'm sure he would be more useful off of the bench than Mordecai or Harris combined.

Give dillon a chance if he can provide some good a bats off the bench at his price he is defintely an asset to the team. Realistically Dillon right now is more MLB ready than willingham and we can actually put him on the bench which would be a dumb thing to do with willy

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Willingham is 2 years younger than Dillon. I'd much rather not one of our top prospects go to Albuqurque. Sorry, NM Marlins fans, that ballpark and that league can screw with a prospect's mind.

He didn't show anything last year in his limited at bats up here. I'm hopeful he can put something together, and at the very least, he's a lefty bat.

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He wasn't the one that came up, that was Sutton.