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The annual tradition has returned. Leading up to Opening Day, Fish Stripes will be previewing the 2020 Marlins season, one player at a time. Find every article of the series here.
Where did he come from? Jonathan Villar was acquired by the Marlins last December in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas.
2019 Performance
.274 BA I .339 OBP I .453 SLG I 24 HR I 40 SB I 107 wRC+ I 714 PA
Jonathan Villar's three-run homer broke the MLB single-season home run record with No. 6,106!
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) September 12, 2019
(via @Orioles) pic.twitter.com/mphugmqxh6
With the Orioles in 2019, Villar had one of the best years of his career. He played in all 162 for the club and led the team in many hitting stats.
Around the trade deadline, there were rumors that the Orioles were shopping him around. However, Villar stayed in Baltimore for the rest of the season.
His 40 stolen bases were the third most in MLB. Also, his 24 home runs were a career high. On August 5, Villar hit for the cycle against the New York Yankees.
The veteran switch-hitter was slightly more impactful from the left side (.280/.354/.465, 15 HR in 471 PA) than the right side (.264/.310/.432, 9 HR in 247 PA).
One issue he had last season was strikeouts. He finished the season with the seventh-most strikeouts in MLB. However, he had the fourth-most at bats in the league.
Off The Field
Villar posts on Instagram a good amount. Most of the pictures that he posts are baseball related.
He is a native of the Dominican Republic and spends lots of time during his offseason there.
He competed in the 2017 World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic. There is good chance he competes in the 2021 World Baseball Classic along with current Marlins pitcher José Ureña.
You can follow Villar on Instagram (@jonathanvillar2) and Twitter (@JRvillar6).
2020 Expectations
There is a good chance that Villar will be an everyday starter. However, it is uncertain what position he will man. With Isan Díaz projected to play second base and Miguel Rojas playing shortstop, Villar will likely begin 2020 in center field. He hardly as any major league experience out there.
Big moment for Jonathan Villar. He was feeling some shoulder soreness early this spring and hasn’t really have any chances to test out his arm at CF during games. Finally does there, throwing out JB Shuck trying to stretch a hit into a double.
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) March 7, 2020
Third base is occupied by Brian Anderson.
If Villar is able to produce similar numbers to last season, there is a chance he could be traded for prospects around the trade deadline. His $8.2 million salary is reasonable for contenders to absorb assuming he accepts the challenge to be a versatile defender and if his performance still merits everyday starts.
Villar will play a leadership role on this team. This will be his 8th season in the big leagues, so he has some experience. Back in 2015, he played in the playoffs with the Houston Astros. He can show some of the younger guys what it takes to get there.