JUPITER, Fla. -- Getting a taste of the big leagues has changed Chris Aguila's outlook on what it takes to remain on a Major League roster.

 

Called up on two separate occasions last year, Aguila showed promise as a reserve outfielder.

 

In 29 games, he batted .222 (10-for-45) with three home runs and five RBIs. But over his final eight games, he batted .272 (6-for-22) with three homers and three RBIs.

 

Manager Jack McKeon says Aguila's time with the club in 2004 has helped his state of mind this spring.

 

Aguila is in the mix for a reserve outfield spot. He has an advantage because he is capable of playing all three positions, and he is a pinch-run and defensive replacement candidate.

 

"Aguila is looking a whole lot more confident," McKeon says. "He's swinging the bat well."

 

In the offseason, Aguila spent time working out with Dontrelle Willis and Juan Pierre.

 

"Last year, I had never been there," Aguila says. "I didn't know what it was like -- being in that type of atmosphere, in different stadiums, going against guys I've never faced. Obviously, it was very exciting. It was something to build off of, to motivate me in the offseason. To make me work hard, to come in ready to go, and know a little bit of what I experienced up here. It was good working out down here in Florida with some of the guys."

 

At the minor league levels, Aguila has shown he can hit for average. In 97 games with Triple-A Albuquerque a year ago, he batted .312, with 11 homers, 23 doubles, two triples and 56 RBIs.

 

"One thing guys helped me out with was to stay positive and get some experience," Aguila said. "I think towards the end, when I was actually playing and starting and knowing I was going to have three or four [at-bats], a little bit of pressure was off. I'm not saying all the pressure was off, but it helped out. I just try to make the most of the opportunities, to build off them and work on them in the offseason and work on them in Spring Training."

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...5news&fext=.jsp

I like Augila. He has the potential to become better. The last times i saw him at bat, he had great games. I remember one of his last homers were just awsome. id like to see him more frequently. im not sure about a permanent spot in OF. theres alot of players waiting to be there. Migs, Pierre, Enc, and Niner. But Augila is a great player. i cant wait to see how he turns out after spring training.

Aguila is a great player.

 

 

Pujols is great. Bonds is great. Vlad is great.

 

Aguila is a backup outfielder...he is marginal at best.

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues

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Umm...I think you might be a bit overly-optimistic on Aguila. Hermedia...now that's a different story.

I think Aguila has good potential. He could certainly start for a bad major league team... if he can't contribute to our team, we should trade him so that he gets a shot at playing every day.

I like Augila. He has the potential to become better. The last times i saw him at bat, he had great games. I remember one of his last homers were just awsome. id like to see him more frequently. im not sure about a permanent spot in OF. theres alot of players waiting to be there. Migs, Pierre, Enc, and Niner. But Augila is a great player. i cant wait to see how he turns out after spring training.

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Everyone has the potential to become better. A permanent outfield spot for him would have to find Conine and Enc out for the season and then hope the Marlins FO doesn't think Hermida can pull off a Cabrera style jump from AA.

 

 

 

And Aguila is most certainly not a great player. I like him, but great is like Malman said. Aguila is a AAAA type player.

 

 

 

Yeah, I felt like picking apart your post right to the bone. Coulda done more too, so be thankful. :mischief

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues

696510[/snapback]

 

Umm...I think you might be a bit overly-optimistic on Aguila. Hermedia...now that's a different story.

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Sarcasm my friend.

Aguila could be a future cornerstone of this franchise if his progress continues

696510[/snapback]

 

Umm...I think you might be a bit overly-optimistic on Aguila. Hermedia...now that's a different story.

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Sarcasm my friend.

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R U sure???

 

:mischief2

Aguila can be a very valuable reserve outfielder right now.

 

 

 

In the future...hard to say, but there are 4 doods ahead of him right now in the outfield.

I like Aguila a lot.

 

Productive bench player. Nearly at Conine and Encarnacion's level. Hope he (and Willingham) makes the team.

I'm rooting for Josh over anybody to make the team.

I'm rooting for Josh over anybody to make the team.

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im rooting for CHRIS over anybody to make the team.

I'd like to see Aguila get that 4th OF spot. His time in the Bigs last year should give him a leg up.

I liked what I saw out of Aguila last season, and wouldnt mind having him as the 4th outfielder if Carny gets traded.

I've often thought MLB ought to create a taxi-squad barnstorming league of six-eight teams where guys like Aguila, who is obviously a step above AAA, could play everyday rather than pining away on the bench.

 

Sort of a Future Star's League or maybe a super AAA Minor League league much like the Arizona Fall League where teams are made up of players from different organizations. It's a crazy thought I know but if MLB were more creative it might spur more interest in the sport and develop better players in the longrun.

 

They would play their games in major league parks before a regularly scheduled game, essentially creating doubleheaders. The fans would love it. The cost would be minimal. You might have the Southeast All-stars playing the Central All-Stars at 2pm on a Saturday at PPS before the regularly schedule 6pm Marlins game. It would also give GMs the chance to see how the "kids" played in major league venues. Can they really cover the territory in CF in a place like PPS, can they hit homers in Wrigley like they did in Iowa?

 

Just a idea.