Delgado primed to hit power switch

ATLANTA -- So far, Carlos Delgado has seen some new ballparks and a lot of pitchers he never faced in 12 seasons with the Blue Jays in the American League.

What the Marlins first baseman has yet to witness in the National League is the power surge that has made him one of the game's most feared sluggers.

Now entering his second month as a Marlin, Delgado comes off a career-low two home runs for April. Florida's primary left-handed slugger, who has driven in 100 runs six times in his career, is fourth on the team with 11 RBIs.

Despite the comparatively sparse power numbers, Delgado is producing in other areas. He's played in all 23 games and he's batting .301 with seven doubles, eight walks and an on-base percentage of .388.

Manager Jack McKeon insists it's just a matter of time before the home runs and RBIs pile up.

"I think he's handling it well," McKeon said of Delgado's approach to a new environment. "I'm not crazy about setting our offense up waiting for him to hit a home run. When he's contributed it's been for doubles and singles, and knocking in the runs he has. Once the weather gets warm, you'll see: His home runs will come once he gets these pitchers the second time around in the league."

The Marlins see little reason for concern regarding Delgado because they're tied with the Braves for first place in the National League East. On Tuesday night, Florida and Atlanta brace for a two-game series at Turner Field.

Delgado is still getting acquainted to the new ballparks and pitchers in the National League. Spacious Dolphins Stadium isn't exactly kind to power hitters, and already the slugger has seen at least one long fly to right field end in an out instead of over the wall. But the Marlins are impressed that Delgado is taking what he's given, and not pressing or over-swinging.

"I think it's just getting [into] a comfort zone, knowing different backgrounds and different ballparks," hitting coach Bill Robinson said.

The weekend series just completed in Philadelphia, where the Marlins won two of three, is a prime example. Before his first game at cozy Citizens Bank Park last Friday, Delgado emerged from the dugout, turned to Robinson and said, "Um, nice ballpark."

"In other ballparks in the other league, he's been to them so long," Robinson said. "You know where the ball carries. Every pitcher we face, Carlos comes in and asks me, 'What does the guy throw?' Other guys like Mike Lowell do not, because they know them."

Delgado keeps a book on pitchers and takes notes on how he is approached.

"I think it's more than anything, you're facing guys you've never faced before," said Delgado, who has 338 career home runs.

"For the most part, they pitch the same way as they pitch in the other league. The only thing I see different [in the National League] is you play for a run earlier. In the pitcher's spot, they will bunt earlier, probably 90 percent of the time. Other than that, it's similar."

On many occasions, the opposition shifts its infield when the pull-hitting Delgado comes to the plate. It's common for the former All-Star to see the shortstop directly behind second base, and the second baseman in short right field. In hopes of getting ground balls to the right side, pitchers are working Delgado inside.

"I'm not afraid to pull the ball," Delgado said. "That's the way I hit."

The middle of the Marlins order is projected to be a strength because the lineup is set up to have Delgado batting cleanup, sandwiched between Miguel Cabrera and Lowell. So far, it hasn't exactly shaped up that way. Because Lowell has struggled, teams were pitching around Delgado. So McKeon moved the first baseman to third, ahead of Cabrera, who is off to a great start, batting .352 with four homers, eight doubles and 18 RBIs. Lowell has dropped to seventh in the order.

The fact that he hasn't hit many home runs at this point is a change for Delgado. Entering the season, he had enjoyed great long-ball success in April, belting 61 lifetime homers in the month. That matches his monthly high, which he's also achieved in August.

"I'm not feeling like I'm driving the ball," Delgado said. "I've been able to make contact and get some hits here and there.

"But in order to hit home runs, you've got to put yourself in the power position and I feel like I haven't done that."

Cabrera and Juan Encarnacion have been the Marlins' top RBI contributors. They both also top the club with four home runs. Encarnacion has been a pleasant surprise with 24 runs batted in. But as the season pushes forward, Delgado promises to become a bigger factor in driving in runs. His past history suggests that he will.

"He's still adjusting to his swing," Robinson said of Delgado. "For a bona-fide home run-hitter, he hits some of the hardest line drives you'll see. I'd like to see a little more of an upper-cut in his swing. There is nothing wrong with a little bit more of an upper-cut to get the ball up in the air more. There are a couple of balls he's hit right on the screws, but right at them. I think he's starting to find his groove. When he does, look out because they [home runs] are going to start coming."

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