Posted on Thu, Jan. 26, 2006

MARLINS

Hopefuls go south for the winter

Marlins prospects join the Dominican Republic's winter league to gain experience and build the confidence that comes from facing big-league competition.

BY KEVIN BAXTER

kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com

 

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Eric Reed thought he had everything he needed to play winter baseball in the Dominican Republic.

 

He had a team that wanted him, a salary they were willing to pay him and a position (center field) where they were willing to play him.

 

What he didn't have -- never has had, in fact -- was a passport.

 

No problem. Escogido, the Dominican team that had invited him, simply sent one of its better-known executives to Puerto Rico to collect Reed and bring him back to Santo Domingo where, with the club exec at his side, no one thought to ask for identification.

 

A day or two later, however, Reed realized he had a bigger problem.

 

''I don't know how I'm going to get back into the U.S.,'' he said.

 

Well, turns out a birth certificate works just as well as a passport, and Reed had one of those. What he also had when it was all over was a pretty good education -- and not just about the intricacies of international travel. He also learned a little bit about himself as a baseball player, knowledge he hopes will help him win a roster spot with the Marlins this spring.

 

''It builds your confidence,'' Reed said of facing big-league veterans such as Jose Lima in the highly charged atmosphere of Dominican ball. ``These guys take it seriously. You can tell they want to win. They want to do good in front of their home crowd and their family.

 

``[but] I'm still trying to learn how to go about doing everything confident, even with two strikes. That comes with experience.''

 

That effort to gain experience is what drew Reed first to Puerto Rico, where he hit .259 in 116 at-bats for Mayaguez, and then to the Dominican, where he struggled, batting .121 with 10 strikeouts in 33 at-bats for Escogido.

 

And he wasn't the only Marlin who spent the winter working on his game in the Dominican. Reed's Escogido teammates included catcher Miguel Olivo, who signed with Florida as a free agent in December then hit .472 with a league-leading three triples in the round-robin portion of the Dominican playoffs before being sidelined with a pulled hamstring.

 

Chris Aguila, Reed's main competition for the center field job, hit .241 with 12 RBI in 26 games for Cibao.

 

Meanwhile, shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez of Licey and outfield candidate Matt Cepicky of the Aguilas both led their teams into this week's best-of-9 championship series, with Ramirez playing three positions and Cepicky batting cleanup in a lineup that included Miguel Tejada, Victor Diaz and Tony Batista.

 

''This is a big year for me,'' said the much-traveled Olivo, who also has been asked to play for the Dominican team in March's inaugural World Baseball Classic. ``I know I can play. Everyone knows I can play. I feel fortunate to be going [to Florida], and I'm going to give them 100 percent.''

 

Olivo spent parts of the past two seasons battling for playing time with the White Sox, Mariners and Padres, hitting just .229 in 301 games. But the move to the Marlins, he said, has given him a chance at a fresh start.

''Everybody's young there. It's close to my home, close to the Dominican. And it's a great city, too,'' said Olivo, 27. ``I'm happy.''

 

This spring could mark a new beginning for the speedy Reed. He has played outstanding defense and hit better than .300 everywhere he has played during four minor-league seasons. With the Marlins' roster wide open, the 25-year-old is hoping to make the jump to the big leagues.

 

''You've got to take advantage of the things that are in front of you,'' said Reed, who spent the winter working on keeping his hands back and his batting eye disciplined. ``If you don't . . . and you let it go by, then you'll never know. There's an opportunity to do something, [and] it's important that you take advantage of it.''

 

Miami Herald photographer Raul Rubiera contributed to this report.

 

Source -- http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/13713660.htm

Wow, what an impressive performance by Olivo. If he can bring that momentum into ST they may look to move Willingham to LF.

Wow, what an impressive performance by Olivo. If he can bring that momentum into ST they may look to move Willingham to LF.

 

 

Most definitely. The numbers Reed and Aguila put up, however, are most definitely not encouraging. Whether or not this will cause the Marlins FO to pull the trigger on the much rumoured Gathright deal remains to be seen (since Aguila and Reed are the most likely candidates for the leadoff spot right now). They will probably wait till the end of ST to determine that. One thing is certain, this will be a great ST as these kids will be going all out to win those spots on the roster.

Meanwhile, shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez of Licey and outfield candidate Matt Cepicky of the Aguilas both led their teams into this week's best-of-9 championship series, with Ramirez playing three positions and Cepicky batting cleanup in a lineup that included Miguel Tejada, Victor Diaz and Tony Batista.

 

 

that has to be a typo Tejada on the team and Cepicky is clean up????

Wow, what an impressive performance by Olivo. If he can bring that momentum into ST they may look to move Willingham to LF.

 

 

Most definitely. The numbers Reed and Aguila put up, however, are most definitely not encouraging. Whether or not this will cause the Marlins FO to pull the trigger on the much rumoured Gathright deal remains to be seen (since Aguila and Reed are the most likely candidates for the leadoff spot right now). They will probably wait till the end of ST to determine that. One thing is certain, this will be a great ST as these kids will be going all out to win those spots on the roster.

 

True. But I think those guys were working on their weaknesses. This is like spring training to them. We'll see how they do here.

I can handle one of Aguila & Reed in the outfield. Not both.

I believe Aguila only played for a month and took the rest of the winter off.

 

His numbers and PAs haven't changed on most websites since the last week of November. They are such a small sample size (108 ABs) I'm not sure anyone can draw much of a conclusion from them.

Meanwhile, shortstop prospect Hanley Ramirez of Licey and outfield candidate Matt Cepicky of the Aguilas both led their teams into this week's best-of-9 championship series, with Ramirez playing three positions and Cepicky batting cleanup in a lineup that included Miguel Tejada, Victor Diaz and Tony Batista.

 

 

that has to be a typo Tejada on the team and Cepicky is clean up????

 

 

I really wouldn't be surprised if Cepicky wins the LF job.