Ramp Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 * Duels to the Death: the Marlins are set at every position in the lineup, except for the corner outfield spot not occupied by Miguel Cabrera. Battling for that other outfield slot will be gimpy vets Jeff Conine and Juan Encarnacion, with Conine the favorite for the starting job. In the rotation, Brian "Scuffy" Moehler is making a bid to take fifth starter spot away from incumbent Ismael Valdez. Scuffy may be done?he hasn?t pitched effectively since his injury-marred 2002 season, and he spent 2004 compiling a losing record in AA?but he?s answered the bell to start the spring, while Valdez has been hampered by a viral infection. If Valdez doesn?t get moving, someone may notice that he?s been no great shakes the past couple of years, himself. * Five to Watch: Five players to watch down in Jupiter, Florida: 1. Luke Hagerty Who is he? A tall lefty with good velocity and big control issues. What's he fighting for? As a Rule V draftee, he needs to make the club, or get a convenient injury, or else return to the Cubs. What's the verdict? If he makes the 25 man roster, it's as the last guy in the bullpen, with the upside of moving all the way up to being the second lefty in the bullpen. More likely he comes down with the deadly Mutaba virus at the end of Spring Training, and requires a long convalescence, with a very long minor league rehab. 2. Joe Dillon Who is he? An inspirational story, an infield prospect who retired after a back injury, then took up the game again and hit his way onto the 40 man roster, at age 29. What's he fighting for? The chance to beat out Lenny Harris and/or Damion Easley for a utility infield spot, and to be portrayed by Matthew Modine as the protagonist of the new Disney movie, "The Rookie 2." What's the verdict? Since Dillon's skills are pretty similar to Easley's and since the Marlins infield is set, Dillon's chances to go South with the big club probably depend on a spring injury. Whether said injury is of the Wally Pip variety or the Bump Bailey variety might impact the MPAA rating for the Rookie 2. 3. Josh Willingham Who is he? A hittin' machine without a position, and BP's Mr. Irrelevant runner-up (#48 on our annual Top 50 Prospects List) for 2005. What is he fighting for? A chance to make the ballclub as backup to Mr. Heart 'n' Soul (Paul Lo Duca), Mr. Marlin (Jeff Conine) and Mr. Needs-a-Good-Nickname (Mike Lowell). What's the verdict? The organization faces a tough decision. Condemn a young kid to bench duty, picking up maybe half a dozen plate appearances a week, or send him down to the minors, to sharpen up at catcher?where he's blocked by LoDuca for the next three years. We'd like to see what Willingham could do if given a chance to beat out Conine and Encarnacion for the starting left field job. But then again, we?d also like to see the ascot come back into style. 4. Jason Stokes Who is he? An honorable mention on BP's prospect list, a man buried alive on the depth chart, stuck behind Carlos Delgado. What's he fighting for? A trade to a team that might need a first baseman in the next couple of years. What's the verdict? Suitors would probably like to see Stokes get through a whole season at AAA, without any wrist injuries, before making a commitment. Still, Stokes tops the list of minor league swag the Fish have to offer if they go hunting for help at the trade deadline. 5. Jeremy Hermida Who is he? The future of the franchise--BP?s #35 prospect--is an outfielder with a velvety-smooth lefthanded stroke. What's he fighting for? A good first impression. Hermida was an A-baller in 2004, so it'd take a Ruthian performance?or disastrous injuries?for him to break camp with the big club. What's the verdict? Hermida can keep hope alive, knowing that in 2003 the Marlins turned to Miguel Cabrera in the heat of a pennant race. It just isn?t going to happen out of Spring Training in 2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamarlins3 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 woah for some reason I thought Hermida was a righty Anyways good article...saying Valdes may lose his rotation spot is probably a little exterme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I haven't thought about Moehler beating out Valdez until lately....I still think Ish will be the 5th starter. Based on what Hagerty has done thus far, I don't see him breaking ST with the big club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickGold Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Great article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Pretty good read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boog Sciambi Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 are they really making the rookie 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Card Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishPhan Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 are they really making the rookie 2? 711165[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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