Random Marlins Notes

[General]

Miguel Olivo, who has caught Dontrelle Willis' last two starts, is expected to catch on Opening Day for the Marlins.
It's unclear just how much time Olivo will get with Josh Willingham set to play both left field and catch, but three starts per week would be a good guess. Expect him to keep catching Willis as long as the left-hander is happy with the assignment.

[General]

Sergio Mitre pitched five innings and allowed five runs -- four earned -- in a loss to the Orioles on Thursday.
This only raised his spring ERA to 4.29. Mitre is going to begin the season as the Marlins' No. 2 starter. His sinker will make him a useful innings eater for the club.

[General]

Eric Reed went 2-for-4 and stole his ninth and 10th bases of the spring on Friday.
Unless the Marlins pick up an outfielder (Chip Ambres?), Reed appears set to win a reserve spot. He'd probably benefit more from playing regularly in Triple-A, especially since he's missed significant time the last two years, but it's not all that likely he'll become a quality regular anyway

[General]

Josh Johnson struck out the side in the ninth tonight in the Mariners' loss to the Rangers.
We're looking at Johnson as a sleeper candidate for saves. He projects as a starter for the long-term, but he might be one of the Marlins' best relievers this year.

[General]

Its almost time for those high leg kicks.

[General]

Dontrelle Willis gave up just one hit in five scoreless innings against the Astros tonight, but he had to be pulled because of his pitch count.
Willis walked three and threw 107 pitches. Given the poor offensive and bullpen support he's likely to receive, he's going to have to work deeper into games to earn victories.

Joe Borowski was brought into the seventh inning of tie game tonight and allowed the go-ahead run to cross, though it was charged to Josh Johnson.
The lone run of the game against the Astros scored on a wild pitch that couldn't be handled by Miguel Olivo. Borowski went on to retire the only hitter he faced. Johnson gave up one run in 1 2/3 innings to take the loss. While Borowski is the favorite for saves in the Florida pen, it's clear he won't be used as a traditional closer.

Hanley Ramirez went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts and committed two errors tonight in his major league debut.
Ramirez is going to be an above average defender in time, but he's not there yet and he's also likely to disappoint offensively despite a strong spring. We're not very optimistic.

[General]

Sergio Mitre shut out the Astros for six innings and struck out five to get the win as the Marlins prevailed 11-2 on Tuesday night.
Even though they did win yesterday, it's not a good sign at all that the Astros have totaled three runs in 18 innings against the Marlins. Mitre, typically a groundball pitcher, had a 5:8 GB:FB ratio tonight. We're not sure he'll be able to succeed like that for any length of time, but he does have a little value in NL-only leagues.

[General]

Mike Jacobs was hit in the face by a throw during Tuesday's game.
Jacobs had a bloody nose after a wild throw by Wes Helms bounced and hit him in the face. He was able to remain in the game and should be in the lineup on Wednesday.

[General]

Wonder if the Marlins will move by 2008.

[General]

LA Express would be a great name.

[General]

Hanley Ramirez doubled, walked, and stole his second base of the season today against the Mets.
Ramirez is 9-for-21 with three extra-base hits and two walks. He won't continue to play this well, but while leading off he shouldn't have a problem being worth $6 in NL-only leagues.

[General]

Dontrelle Willis was charged with two runs over eight innings against the Mets on Sunday.
Willis was betrayed by his defense, as both runs came on a triple by David Wright that should have been caught by right fielder Jeremy Hermida. In addition, Willis had induced a double play ball from Carlos Delgado before the triple, but second basemen Dan Uggle botched the grounder and only retired one runner. Willis wasn't involved in the decision, but the defensive woes cost the Marlins the game.

[love_that_reefer]

Hanley Ramirez delivered his third double and his second triple in Tuesday's loss.
He came around to score after both hits. Ramirez has hit in all six of Florida's games and is 11-for-25 so far. It's not very likely that he'll keep it up, but along with teammate Josh Willingham, he's one of the favorites to be NL Rookie of the Month for April.

As far as him keeping it up, who's to say. It's good to have him get off to a good start and get confidence in his first go aoround as a starter. Girardi will be in his corner for a while.

[General]

Hermida's piling on the extra base hits so far this season.

[General]

Nationals recalled LHP Scott Olsen from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Olsen, the Marlins' fifth starter, will make his season debut Saturday against the Nationals. NL-only leaguers should activate him right away.