The Marlins will unveil their new batting order on Feb. 25 with the start of Grapefruit League games, which provide a barometer of whether the changes made by manager Fredi Gonzalez will work over the regular season.
Gonzalez won't announce who will hit where until the day of the first spring game. But the main component is expected to be dropping leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez to third, and letting speedy rookie Cameron Maybin bat first. Although Ramirez has established himself as one of the game's top stars, success in Florida's new batting order isn't necessarily guaranteed. For one, Ramirez hit just .268 with one homer and four RBIs in 56 at-bats from the third hole last year (in lineups employed to accommodate the loss of injured cleanup hitter Josh Willingham). In 533 at-bats from the top of the order, Ramirez hit .304 with 32 homers and 63 RBIs.
"Do it in spring training so I can get used to it," Ramirez said. "I've got to show my approach not to what I've been working on -- RBIs instead of just getting on base."
John Baker is expected to hit second with Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla hitting fourth or fifth.
Cody Ross and Jeremy Hermida will hit sixth or seventh with rookie Gaby Sanchez hitting eighth if he makes the team.
WHERE, WHEN: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against the Cardinals.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: Rookie 1B Gaby Sanchez arrives in camp knowing he's the team's top choice to start at that position. That will give a mental edge to a top prospect who was named the Most Valuable Player of the Class AA Southern League after batting .314 with 17 homers and 92 RBIs for the Carolina Mudcats. Sanchez, 25, was called up to the Marlins in September and went 3-for-8 in five games.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: 3B Jorge Cantu is coming off a strong year in which he hit a career-high 29 home runs and had 95 RBIs. He had a similar year in 2005, hitting 28 home runs with 117 RBIs for Tampa Bay, but he didn't come close to those numbers the next two seasons. He'll be under more pressure to produce since the Marlins traded away two other power hitters (1B Mike Jacobs and OF Josh Willingham).
AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Fredi Gonzalez improved in his second year with the Marlins, guiding the team to an 84-77 record in 2008 after a 71-91 record in his rookie year. Once again, his emphasis this spring will be on improving the defense. His right-hand man is bench coach Carlos Tosca. Gonzalez has huge trust in pitching coach Mark Wiley and hitting coach Jim Presley. Andy Fox returns as the first base/infield coach, and Bo Porter is back as the third base/outfield coach.
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