-Youth movement stands out immediately | Fish Tank blog: Miami Marlins | The Palm Beach Post
he Marlins still have the worst record in the NL at 37-61 and .378, but at least now there seems to be a point to the season. Tuesday night, the Marlins used their youngest and yet most promising lineup of 2013 in a 4-2 win at Colorado. How young? Christian Yelich, 21, made his big-league debut and went 3-for-4. He played left field with Jake Marisnick, 22, playing center.
Adeiny Hechavarria dropped down his first bunt single for the Marlins in Monday’s 3-1 win against the Rockies. Joe Espada hopes it won’t be the last. Espada, the Marlins’ third base coach, has been working extensively with Hechavarria on the bunt as a tool to improve his value as a leadoff hitter. "At first, I’ve got to sell him on the fact that it should be part of his game," Espada said Tuesday. "A lot of these Latin kids, they don’t bunt their way out of their countries. They swing their way out. That’s part of the game they haven’t spent a lot of time learning, and I understand."
On his first day in the majors, Christian Yelich did something only two other Marlins have accomplished previously: tally three hits in his first big-league game. Yelich also drove in two runs in support of another youngster, Jose Fernandez, as the Marlins defeated the Colorado Rockies, 4-2, for their second straight win.
-Jose Fernandez takes dip in Coors Field home run fountain | Fish Bytes
Jose Fernandez made himself at home in his first visit to Coors Field. Not only did Fernandez take care of the Rockies on Tuesday in another strong performance by the rookie All-Star, Fernandez said he also took advantage of the surroundings at Coors -- specifically, the home run fountain in center. ""The first day, I go back there behind center field and that thing back there -- that little pool back there -- I went in the water, and the water was nice and cool," Fernandez said. "So it was pretty fun. It was pretty nice. I'm going to do it. Why not?"
-Valaika clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A | marlins.com: News
The Marlins outrighted infielder Chris Valaika to Triple-A New Orleans on Thursday. Valaika was designated for assignment Tuesday and cleared waivers, and will rejoin the Zephyrs just days after he finished a rehab assignment with them. Valaika has not played for Miami since May 7, when a runner collided with his glove hand and forced him to the disabled list. Splitting his time between first, second and third base, Valaika struggled at the plate, hitting .219 with a homer and nine RBIs through 22 games.
-Young Marisnick ready for milestone | marlins.com: News
ake Marisnick entered Thursday still searching for his first big league hit. Marisnick, called up from Double-A Jacksonville along with his pal and fellow highly touted prospect Christian Yelich on Monday night, was 0-for-8 with two strikeouts in his first two Major League games. Marisnick watched as Yelich stole the spotlight Tuesday night when both players made their debuts. Yelich went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, leading the Marlins to a 4-2 victory in the second game of the series. Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Marisnick will have an easier time moving on after he gets the career milestone out of the way. "He needs to get that hit and move on," Redmond said after Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Rockies. "But it'll happen, I'm not worried."
-Redmond confident Ruggiano can 'turn page' | marlins.com: News
Ruggiano's struggles have certainly played a role in the team's scuffles as a whole, as the Marlins have scored just eight runs in six games after the All-Star break entering Thursday. "It's tough, and I know he's frustrated," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said after Wednesday night's loss. "Any time anybody scuffles, you're reeling and trying to figure out a way to get out of it. Sometimes it's maybe a pinch-hit, big hit in a certain situation. Who knows? "You just got to keep battling and keep grinding and you can't feel sorry for yourself." A consistent piece of Miami's lineup this year, Ruggiano has not started since the Marlins called up their two top prospects in Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick.
-Pittsburgh Pirates at Miami Marlins - July 26, 2013 | MLB.com Preview
Alvarez has made four starts since missing the first half of the season with right shoulder inflammation. He's improved each time out since his debut on July 4, and he threw seven scoreless innings in Milwaukee on Sunday. Miami's pitching has been strong in its own right this season, especially in the last month. Marlins starters have given up three runs or less in 29 of their last 33 games. "Our pitchers have done a nice job, even in Milwaukee where we just didn't score any runs," manager Mike Redmond said. "Our pitchers have done a great job of keeping us in ballgames. It's been fun to watch these guys go out th
The Marlins placed outfielder Marcell Ozuna on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a ligament tear and avulsion fracture in his left thumb, which will require surgery.
Around The League
-The Rays are doing it their way and winning. | SportsonEarth.com : Jonathan Bernhardt Article
The hot team in the American League East is still being overshadowed by Boston and New York. But the Rays are winning exactly the way they'd hoped, with contributions from young players and cheap, savvy free agent pickups on the mound and at the plate.
-Braun: I'll speak when 'legally allowed' | MLB.com: News
Ryan Braun, responding to calls for comment beyond his carefully worded statement included in Major League Baseball's announcement of a season-ending suspension, said Thursday he was not "legally allowed to say anything yet."
General managers whose teams are battling against each other on the field, are shopping for the same players off it. As the Trade Deadline approaches, that competition for talent only heats up.
-Chicago Cubs trade of Alfonso Soriano to Yankees nearly complete | MLB.com: News
Alfonso Soriano is apparently headed back to the Yankees, where he began his Major League career. Soriano was in the Cubs' starting lineup on Thursday for the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but president of baseball operations Theo Epstein called manager Dale Sveum and asked him to pull the 37-year-old outfielder, saying a deal was "99 percent" completed.
At Fish Stripes
-MLB trade rumors: Justin Ruggiano trade profile - Fish Stripes
The Miami Marlins are now hosting a plethora of outfielders, meaning Justin Ruggiano may find his way on the trading block.
The Miami Marlins are desperate for runs, and they have turned to top prospects Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick to replace struggling youngsters Marcell Ozuna and Derek Dietrich in the lineup.
-Miami Marlins prospect Christian Yelich is really young - Fish Stripes
It turns out Christian Yelich looks really young. Like, high school young. Is that a good thing? Is it a funny thing?
-Miami Marlins Daily Minor League Report: July 25 - Fish Stripes
Derek Dietrich made his return to Double-A, striking out three times in six hit-less plate appearances.
The Texas Rangers are being persistent in attempting to acquire Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins. It seems they are calling "every week," but hearing the same "no" every time.
More from Fish Stripes:
- MLB trade rumors: Texas Rangers calling "every week" on Miami Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton
- Marlins promote Yelich, Marisnick: What is the future for Marcell Ozuna?
- MLB trade rumors: Justin Ruggiano trade profile
- Miami Marlins Daily Minor League Report: July 25
- Miami Marlins prospect Christian Yelich is really young