You are browsing the archive for Alfredo Silverio.

Avatar of jonnylons

by jonnylons

Marlins Spring Training 2013: Marlins Get Easy Win Against Cardinals; Small Ball Reigns Supreme

February 24, 2013 in Spring Training

Miami_Marlins_Spring_Training_2013He goes by the term “beast mode” and Juan Pierre wasted no time reintroducing himself to the 3,000+ on hand at Roger Dean Stadium yesterday in the Marlins Spring Training 2013 debut against the Cardinals. “Beast Mode” hit a triple off of Jon Jay, sped around the bases in a blur, slid into 3B, and eventually would go on to score on a Giancarlo Stanton sac ground out.

Put it in a frame; that is Marlins baseball 2013.

The Marlins racked up 8 runs on 11 hits yesterday in 35 ABs but also had 9 K’s. Not bad for a tune up, but indicative that if the Marlins are going to win games this year, it will come from good pitching, even better defense, and solid contact moving runners around the basepaths.

The Marlins did get some power from Alfredo Silverio, who blasted a tower shot over the left field wall in the bottom of the 5th. Silverio was 1-4 with 2 K’s, but does show he has the potential to be a very strong player in this lineup someday. (Hopefully, not just another Abraham Nunez…)

Adeiny Hechavarria and Jake Marisnick did steal a base each. In fact, it was Hechavarria and JP that worked well together in the bottom of the 2nd as JP pushed a bunt over the charging 3B towards SS Pete Kozma, scoring Hech from third. Another example that if the Marlins are going to score runs, it is going to have to be smart baseball.

A successful debut for the Fish, even amid all of the Cardinals fans in attendance. Marlin fans were light, but those that did show up did not seem to display any real angst over the trades from this past offseason. Instead, eyes are focused towards the future, getting to know these new young players, and seeing if Redmond, a champion back with the Marlins in 2003, can bring back some of that old magic from that team. He will have his teammate, Juan Pierre, leading the charge.

Tags: , , , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of jonnylons

by jonnylons

Spring Training: Stories of Redemption and Reclamation Many with Marlins

February 10, 2013 in Spring Training

sHmtYWwJust looking over the roster for Spring Training with the Marlins, many will recognize some of the faces but many will also fail to recognize many more. There are some familiar ones: Juan Pierre, Giancarlo Stanton, Ricky Nolsaco. There are many that will need some guidance for fans: Alfredo Silverio, Sam Dyson, Joe Mahoney.

Yet one thing is consistent this spring; no matter who is in camp it is most likely they are there to redeem themselves or reclaim their MLB careers. Well, that is pretty much anyone other than Stanton anyway.

Alfredo Silverio, the Marlins Rule 5 Draft pick from the Dodgers, was in a horrific car accident this time a year ago, heading into Dodgers camp looking to establish himself as an everyday major leaguer and getting ready to lock down an outfield spot. The young player had shown great promise across the board – he could play defense, could run, and could hit with power and had pretty good contact skills. This summer, he is expected to make the Marlins 25 man roster (or he will revert back to the Dodgers organization) and with his speed, he could play anywhere in the OF defensively. Will he be able to reclaim his career?

Chone Figgins was supposed to be in the final year of a mega contract he signed back in 2010 with the Seattle Mariners. Instead, the Mariners paid him the $8M they owed him for this upcoming season and told  him to go away. He has been invited to spring with the Marlins on a minor league contract and if he makes the team, is only owed the league minimum. Still, even though the speedy utility player (who has played a lot of third base) has had a horrific three year stint with the Mariners, his move to Miami offers him a change of scenery and camaraderie with buddy Juan Pierre – who has recently returned to the Marlins in the twilight of his career to help this team. Will Figgins be able to redeem himself and the money he was expected to earn? Will he be able to reclaim a future career here in south Florida, or anywhere in MLB?

There are many in this scenario. Joe Mahoney, former minor league player of the year with the Orioles, is looking to redeem himself. Kevin Kouzmanoff, a solid third baseman for years in Kansas City, is looking to reclaim his career. John Maine, a one blue-chipped prospect with the Orioles and eventually a solid pro with the Mets, hasn’t pitched in the bigs in 2 years but had looks from the Rockies, Red Sox, and Yankees. Matt Downs had a solid 2011 campaign with the Astros but hitting .202 last season landed him in Miami trying to reclaim his career.

The key thing here is getting a bunch of competitive players in camp, all trying to win spots and prove themselves, in order to change the atmosphere of this team. Last season, there were unreal expectations poured upon this team just because they signed some checks. We see now, a year later, that those checks could not be cashed. It was a Ringling-style PR campaign that went wild, whatever the intentions, and this team flamed out before even Showtime could all it a “rap” on their reality show.

Logan Morrison, who most likely will be out for the first month of the season and also will be looking to redeem himself after a season of hobbled injuries and high expectations, said it loud and clear. This team is the hungriest in baseball. No one has guarantees beyond this season; everyone is playing for a new deal, more money, or just trying to prove themselves and to win. Whatever the feelings are about this past offseason or even last season, this team is different and the fans will notice a more intense bunch as led by new manager, and former Marlin champion, Mike Redmond. If there was a fuel that could drive players, it would best be that of redemption. It certainly makes for a better story. If this 2013 team can win, they just may, as a team, redeem themselves to their fans as well.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments »

Avatar of jonnylons

by jonnylons

Marlins Competitive Spring Training and More

January 29, 2013 in Offseason, Spring Training

Looks like there is a lot of discussion about things on the field all of a sudden for the Marlins. Let’s sift through some notables:

Marlins add 31 non-roster players to their Spring Training roster and the Sun-Sentinel has the names. They have more players reporting to camp (71) than wins last season (69). Competitive advantage? Or bargain hunting?

Beinfest notes the talent pool and the potential openings will lead to better competition on the field. Interestingly, in regards to selecting new players, character seems to play a larger role in the evaluation portion. How that is quantified, remains a mystery but is certainly the most subjective part of the Marlins’ analysis of assets:

“When we’ve done our homework on the prospects coming back, the makeup of the player has been important,” he said. “So we feel we’re bringing in guys that are one, winners, and two, high quality people that are going to perform and work hard every day.”

Rule 5 draft pick, Alfredo Silverio looks to resurrect his promising career in the OF a year after a very severe car accident. He has shown an ability to hit, run, and field the ball. Justin Ruggiano is the slated starter for CF but depending on what this guy can show, and he is expected to be on the 25 man roster (or he goes back to the Dodgers), the Marlins may have a talented young player in the OF. If anything providing depth.

The Logan Morrison story continues to grow into a big concern. His knee surgery and the bad handling of it project him to not be able to get into the lineup until about one month into the season. In the meantime, who will man 1B? The Marlins picked up Joe Mahoney from the Orioles, a 6’6″ 1B/OF to get some depth. He may get in there as the Opening Day starter, which would be a scary thought for some. Then again, maybe Kevin Kouzmanoff slides over there. An interesting note is the fact that Mahoney grew up a Yankees fan and Tino Martinez is the new hitting coach. Not that there is any correlation, but Mahoney is a lefty that can play the corner infield and maybe Martinez will show him a way to cultivate a solid professional approach.

 

Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Avatar of jonnylons

by jonnylons

Marlins Pick Up Silverio, Lara in Rule 5; Wrap Up Winter Meetings

December 6, 2012 in Offseason

Trade away your waffling 3B convert? Check. Bolster up your farm system with more prospects? Check. Get a replacement 3B and add some power to the lineup? Mmmm, not quite.

The Marlins had a specific agenda heading into the Winter Meetings this week in Nashville and were able to pull of a couple of their main objectives. Reportedly, Yunel Escobar had a change of heart about playing 3B and this was the motive for the latest trade. The Marlins, in essence, were able to shed another $5M off the roster for the upcoming season and grabbed a rated prospect, Derek Dietrich, from the cross-state rival Rays. Dietrich projects to be a solid hitter at the big league level – probably not a star – but could be a solid addition to either 2B or 3B.

Maybe Escobar just felt he would find a better opportunity out there in exploring the market a bit and knows his value is as a SS and not a light-hitting 3B. So, this was probably a business move for Escobar, led by his agent, and the Marlins felt the need to make the move to get their house in order.

In Dietrich, the Marlins also add another rated prospect to their top 10, further enriching their farm system.

The Marlins weren’t done. They grabbed two more prospects in the Rule 5 draft’s MLB phase, which drew some positive feelings within the Marlins’ front office and even with Baseball America. Dodger prospect Alfredo Silverio who, as an OF, shows that he can hit and has excellent athletic ability. The problem is, he has had a problem staying healthy and was in a serious car accident that led to a concussion and Tommy John surgery. Yet, Silverio’s athletic ability and offense have many wondering if the Marlins were able to strike Rule 5 gold again like they did with Dan Uggla. With the recent rule changes to the Rule 5 draft, it has been less likely for teams to find an immediate star but it may be a situation where an injury to a talented prospect could yield results. Silverio, as most around baseball observe, has very good tools but a shaky approach at the plate.

The Marlins also were reportedly excited to grab Dominican pitcher, and Rays farm hand, Braulio Lara with their last pick in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 draft. He projects to be a possible bullpen arm with the ability to hit 98 on the radar gun.

The only concern left for the Marlins’ front office is to get their 3B situation resolved. The pickings on the free agent market are extremely slim. So slim that the Yankees, desperate for temporary relief from the ARod hip surgery, are willing to throw $12M in a one year deal for 34 year old, former Red Sawk, Kevin Youkilis. With his offensive skills dwindling and in severe question, it seems like the Yankees are willing to shed money on mediocre talent. Ian Stewart also was re-signed by the Cubs so it looks like marginal options remain unless the Marlins can find an in-house solution (perhaps Chris Coghlan can make a strong showing in Spring Training; there is also Kevin Kouzmanoff who was signed to a minor league deal earlier).

For the Marlins, with their critics pounding their chests these days, it is a far cry from a year ago when the Fish were the surprising darlings of the meetings. They were able to sign Jose Reyes, Mark Buerhle, Heath Bell and usher in a new era of Miami Marlins baseball in a big way. Even though the big spending spree netted negative results on the field – grabbing only 69 wins – it will remain to be seen if a “reboot” will get this team back on the path to winning baseball with yet another new manager.

Tags: , , , 2 Comments »