As you all know by now, and have commented on, Gaby Sanchez and Burke Badenhop were sent to the minors.
On Tuesday, the Marlins made a couple of roster moves that helped clarify some roles. First baseman Gaby Sanchez, the Southern League MVP in 2008, and right-hander Burke Badenhop were optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.
Fabulous.
We will start with Badenhop first. Which if the team envisions him as a starter in the future, something that is fine by me, he needs to pitch more frequently than he would sitting in the bullpen. Of course, given how the Marlins bullpen pitchers has looked during spring training, it is possible he could've seen ample work.
But if his future isn't in the pen, why stick him there.
A candidate to either start or work in relief, Badenhop appeared in seven Grapefruit League games, and he threw 11 innings. Badenhop will get regular work in Minor League camp, and he is a candidate to join the rotation this season, if there is a need. "We need the Hopper to get stretched out, if he is our sixth or seventh starter," Gonzalez said.
Given the fact that the Hopper is a sinker ball pitcher and probably better suited as a starter, this is no big deal. His time will come.
Also it means that Kiko Calero is darn near a lock at getting one of the bullpen slots.
Now to the concern at hand: Emilio Bonifacio.
Meanwhile, Emilio Bonifacio continued to improve at third and looked better at the plate. The Marlins appear poised to open the season with Bonifacio at third and Jorge Cantu at first. Bonifacio likely will hit leadoff as well, which is a lot to ask of a rookie playing a new position.
(Emphasis is mine)
Okay, let's try and refresh our memory about what a leadoff hitter should be.
Sky had this to say:
The old-school book says to put a speedy guy up top. Power isn't important, and OBP is nice, but comes second to speed. The Book says OBP is king. The lead-off hitter comes to bat only 36% of the time with a runner on base, versus 44% of the time for the next lowest spot in the lineup, so why waste homeruns? The lead-off hitter also comes to the plate the most times per game, so why give away outs? As for speed, stealing bases is most valuable in front of singles hitters, and since the top of the order is going to be full of power hitters, they're not as important. The lead-off hitter is one of the best three hitters on the team, the guy without homerun power. Speed is nice, as this batter will have plenty of chances to run the bases with good hitters behind him.
Lead-Off
No power (check).
One of the best three hitters (no check)
Speed is nice (check)
Can't steal a base with any efficiency, so he must stay put (check)
OBP, the most important one (no check)
Bonifacio doesn't hit for average, he doesn't walk and strikeouts a lot. To give you an idea about his MLB OBP, you remember Mike Jacobs. You know the guy who was all or nothing. Last year Mike Jacobs OBP was .299. Bonifacio's lifetime OBP in the majors is .300.
Ladies and gentleman that could be your leadoff hitter at the start of the season.