Stanton celebrates 7th anniversary of debut

PITTSBURGH -- With great anticipation, Giancarlo Stanton burst on the big league scene seven years ago with the reputation of launching awe-inspiring home runs in the Minors. Ever since, the three-time All-Star right fielder has been a force in the middle of the Marlins' order.
Thursday is the seventh anniversary of Stanton's MLB debut, which took place against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Known for crushing some of the longest home runs in the game, there's a bit of irony in Stanton's first game, because his first hit was a slow chopper up the middle that second baseman Chase Utley made a barehanded stab at.

"Probably the hardest hit of my career," Stanton quipped. "The 105-hopper up the middle."
Actually, it was more of a chopper over pitcher Kyle Hendricks' head and Utley charged, but couldn't come up cleanly with the ball, and Stanton had his first hit.
Stanton made the leap from Double-A Jacksonville to the big leagues, and debuted on the same day as Washington's Stephen Strasburg. Both were highly touted on that day.
"It seems like it's been forever," Stanton said, "and it's flown by at the same time."
Stanton has since become the Marlins' all-time leader in home runs (223) and RBIs (579).
Health has been the big issue for Stanton, who has been impactful, but has missed substantial time due to injuries.
Yet, the 27-year-old again is having an All-Star-worthy season, with 15 homers and 39 RBIs.
In his debut he went 3-for-5 with all singles, but he didn't think the big leagues would be easy.
"I knew I had [Roy] Halladay the next day, so I knew it was going to be a challenge," Stanton said.
In his second game, Stanton went hitless in four at-bats, with two strikeouts.
Worth noting:
• The Marlins asked for a little bit more from A.J. Ramos in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Ramos logged a four-out save, his first multi-inning save since Sept. 17, 2015.
Manager Don Mattingly is open to using Ramos for more than one inning again, if the situation dictates.
"I don't think the whole time I've been here A.J. has complained about being tired," Mattingly said. "He's a guy who bounces back pretty well, and a guy who likes the ball. I think if a situation is right, in general -- you can't do it every day, obviously -- but if it is a situation where he has a couple of days' rest and he's feeling good, that's a situation you try to take advantage of."
• Braxton Garrett, the Marlins' top prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com, has a partial tear in his left elbow. The seventh overall pick in the 2016 Draft, Garrett may end up undergoing Tommy John surgery.