Spring Notes

 

If you follow us on Twitter @SantiagoMarlins, @luchamarlins, @NeneMarlins you'll see we have some fun with small recaps following every Marlins Spring Training Game. Spring however, is also now short on time, as Exhibition Games for the Marlins wrap up Sunday, and there are still quite a few decisions left to be made in Fish Camp.

Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies probably said it best when speaking on the WBC.

The World Baseball Classic came to it's most epic of conclusions last night at Marlins Park. Movie-Like was the setting, as best player in the world (said C.M Punk once upon a time) Shohei Ohtani, held Japan's 1 Run Lead on the mound in the 9th Inning. While in the Batters Box was none other than former best in the world Mike Trout, representing the United States. Star Teammates on the Los Angles Angles turned rivals for this WBC At Bat.

The result was the deserved exclamation point for the 2 way Superstar Ohtani. Doing things in the Game that have not been done in over 100 years, if not ever. It also put a bow on what was a terrific/exhilarating World Baseball Classic. Our friends at Fish Stripes may have put it best, a lot of these Games put the classic in World Baseball Classic.

Japan vs South Korea 2 weeks ago when this Tournament started, was one of the most watched Baseball Games of all-time (if not the most). Yesterday's final between the U.S and Samurai Japan may have possibly topped that. Which makes what Ohtani did in the 9th yesterday even more incredible, when you consider over 60 Million people watching in Japan and the pressure that has to come with something like that.

What Major League Baseball's done in helping put on this event, like we mentioned in Son Los Marlins, can only be good for Baseball. Through Injury scares, which we also talked about, followed by the subsequent Injuries to Jose Altuve & Edwin Diaz (Which was not baseball related) unfortunately. As well as a lot of the pitching restrictions, where Starters are not allowed to throw more than a certain amount of Pitches and Relievers can't go back to back days. The event could not have gone any better in my opinion. The risks (Which you'll still see cautioned with Major League Clubs & Players, like we saw with the 🇺🇸 Pitching Staff, understandably) are worth the reward. What reward? Things like this ↓. 

       

Can you find any better possible segue to begin the 2023 Major League Baseball Season if you're in the Commissioners Office?!

That Regular Season gets going for the Marlins 1 week from tomorrow. They'll be no pitching restrictions (Relievers have already begun to go back to back Games in the Grapefruit League 😉). The Fish have had all of their WBC Players back since Saturday, when newest Marlin Luis Arraez almost singlehandedly beat the U.S. But there are still questions as to how many Position Players the Marlins will carry come the March 30th Opener. 

The graphic above ↑ looked to be the Marlins Starting 9 to begin the Season, and it still might be, though Jorge Soler has seen a lot of Outfield time this Spring, which could mean Yuli Gurriel would Start more often than not at 1B, with Garrett Cooper being the everyday DH. We know Jesus Sanchez is Out of Options, and his terrific Spring at the Plate will only solidify his Roster Spot. So what does all of this mean for Bryan De La Cruz (Florida's best Offensive Player down the stretch last Season) and NRI Jose 'Candelita' Iglesias (Whose defense is desperately needed)??

Whether both De La Cruz & Iglesias make the Team could depend if the Marlins carry 14 Position Players instead of 13 (An unlikely scenario to begin the Season with only 12 Pitchers). Jon Berti was a lock to be the Marlins Utility man prior to being hit in the hand yesterday. While the backup Catcher's Role belongs to Nick Fortes, so as long as health is permitting as well.  

The fact De La Cruz has Minor League Options remaining coupled with Soler playing so much Outfield in the Spring, may not bold well for Bryan, who was in this same spot a year ago. At the same time, are the Marlins able to convince either Iglesias or Guriel of accepting a Minor League Assignment (THE MARLINS WILL NEED DEPTH). That decision comes this Saturday. We mentioned Sunday being the final day of the Grapefruit League schedule for the Marlins (giving them 3 non Game days) prior to next Thursday; MLB Opening Day!