I can't read the whole article because I am not an ESPN Insider. If anyone here is please be kind enough to post the rest of the article. Thanks!

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index...%3dolney_buster

 

The Marlins' coaches have been running this drill for Emilio Bonifacio, as he learns how to play third base: One coach kneels by a bucket of balls and flips pitches in front of a coach standing in the batter's box at home plate, and the coach with the bat whacks ground balls at Bonifacio, one after the other, rapid-fire.

 

And Andy Fox, the Marlins' infield coach, watches and makes suggestions, helping to oversee a transition that has gone well. Bonifacio has been a middle infielder for most of his life, but he has adapted so well to third base that it appears he is the front-runner to hold down the job once the season begins.

 

"I think he's really benefited from the long spring training this year," said Fox, on Friday. "He is such a great athlete, and he can make the adjustment."

 

The Marlins were the worst defensive team in the majors in 2008, and so fielding a new third baseman who has merely weeks of experience might not seem like a way to improve. But Bonifacio has worked so hard at his new position, Fox said, that "he has shortened the learning curve."

 

Because the view into the hitter from third base is dramatically different than in the middle infield, the coaches have used the flip drill to acclimate Bonifacio to the speed of the ball reaching the third baseman, and the extra milliseconds that a third baseman sometimes has to knock the ball down and gather his body and throw. Bonifacio's throwing style reminds Fox of Omar Vizquel's; he doesn't have a powerful arm, but he gets rid of the ball quickly, in time to nail the runners going down the line. "He's got a real good clock [in his head]," Fox said.

 

And Bonifacio has also been able to make some plays on grounders over the third-base bag, along the line, which Fox views as the toughest challenge for someone playing the position. "He probably leads the team in innings played down here," said Fox. "He has worked his tail off."

 

Bonifacio is hitting .284 in 67 at-bats, as well, albeit with few walks. So for now, it appears the Marlins' lineup could look something like this:

 

* CF Cameron Maybin

* C John Baker

* SS Hanley Ramirez

* 1B Jorge Cantu

* 2B Dan Uggla

* RF Jeremy Hermida

* LF Cody Ross

* 3B Bonifacio

 

Meanwhile, the Marlins' Matt Lindstrom threw off a mound and thinks he'll be ready by Opening Day, as Mike Phillips writes.

 

Ricky Nolasco will be the Marlins' Opening Day starter.

 

The rest of Buster's blog -- stories on which players are fighting for jobs, news on the latest moves and deals and which pitchers are rounding into form, among tons more -- is available exclusively to ESPN Insiders. Insider

 

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Already posted

I really like Gaby Sanchez...but I like cantu at first better and Bonifacio adds defense and speed at 3rd. Something tells me he is oging to have a great year with us!

I think as long as we don;t let the expectations get too lofty or outrageous then Bonifacio should be good. I think he could hit in the .280% range with a good OBP.