By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- For a few years now, the Marlins young starting pitchers have carried the "great potential" label.

 

According to manager Jack McKeon, the time is now for them to produce.

 

"I see a lot of talent," the 72-year-old manager said. "I'm trying to get them to the next level. We don't want .500 pitchers or .400 pitchers. We want .600 and .700 pitchers.

 

"We're trying to get them focused. Most of them are focused. But they have to be able to walk the walk. ... It all goes back to their foundation. How you start these guys out."

 

McKeon is a no-holds-barred manager. He makes it clear he isn't in a popularity contest. He enjoys working with all five of the starters, and sees a high ceiling for all of them.

 

"I think they are all trying to learn," he said. "I'm trying to put them on the fast course. Even the ones not as focused, I want to work with them. It's a challenge."

 

Specifically, McKeon wants his starters to be more zeroed in on the particulars of the game when they aren't pitching.

 

As an example, McKeon notes how Atlanta's Greg Maddux and John Smoltz and former Brave turned Met, Tom Glavine, conduct themselves during games.

 

When Smoltz was in the rotation, the three of them commonly sat together and attentively observed the action on the field.

 

"They are focused all the time," McKeon said. "That's what makes them All-Stars."

 

Watching closely, they are able to determine trends of hitters and baserunners.

 

The pitcher on the Marlins staff that best fits the mold of an astute studier is Mark Redman, who is 7-3 and was named National League Player of the Week on Monday.

 

Dontrelle Willis / P

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 200

Bats/Throws: L/L

 

 

 

Rookie Dontrelle Willis also keenly concentrates when he isn't pitching.

 

"You can't just show up," McKeon said. "You've got to make it happen.

 

"A lot of young guys are accustomed to not paying attention all the time," McKeon said. "I want to see every one of them being good. If they want to be good [improved study habits] is the only way they will be good."

 

Down on the farm: Triple-A Albuquerque scored three runs in the first inning Monday and defeated Omaha, 6-2, behind a solid pitching performance from Scott Olsen.

 

Olsen (4-3) gave up two runs on five hits in seven innings. Jason Wood had three hits, an RBI and two runs scored. Center fielder Abraham Nunez went 1-for-3 with three RBIs. And Wilson Valdez stole his 19th base.

 

Class A Jupiter rallied with two runs in the eighth and defeated Vero Beach, 5-4, Monday. Nic Ungs (8-3) gave up three runs in seven innings. Ungs' 1.99 ERA is the best in the Florida State League.

 

Leading by example: Less heralded but certainly not less appreciated, Redman has become the leader of the pitching staff. While not in the media forefront as electrifying rookie Dontrelle Willis, Redman goes about his business in a workmanlike manner.

 

He was just named NL Player of the Week based on two complete-game victories. He threw 140 pitches on a sizzling-hot 92 degree Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.

 

 

Mark Redman / P

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 220

Bats/Throws: L/L

 

 

"Through his work ethic and the way he approaches the game, the other guys listen," McKeon said of Redman. "And his knowledge of the game."

 

Redman doesn't mind setting an example, especially when it comes to gutting it out in the later innings.

 

"Maybe it will rub off on some of the other guys to suck it up and throw another inning or two," Redman said.

 

All-Star worthy: Failing to make the All-Star squad for the first time as a National League performer has not upset catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who has rebounded from a slow start and is having a solid first half.

 

Rodriguez swatted his 12th homer of the season Monday and is batting .296 with 52 RBIs.

 

Rather than bemoan being snubbed by the National League squad, Rodriguez says he will relax at his Miami home and watch the game.

 

A 10-time All-Star with the Rangers, Rodriguez feels teammates Alex Gonzalez, Luis Castillo, Redman and Willis were deserving of playing in the Midsummer Classic.

 

"I guess they can't bring too many from one team," Rodriguez said. "I'll spend four days home with my family."

 

The skipper says: "He said he wanted to talk to Pudge, Willis, Gonzalez and Castillo to tell them it was a difficult task. They were all worthy, but it was a numbers game." -- McKeon on Cubs manager speaking to four Marlins players who were deserving of making the All-Star game but weren't selected

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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