How long do you see Brian Anderson playing right field now that Martin Prado is out? Why not put him back at third base, his natural position?
-- @drguava
Prado will miss substantial time -- at least a month -- due to his left hamstring strain. The way the roster is constructed, manager Don Mattingly noted Miguel Rojas is the best option to play third base, because of his ability to handle the position defensively. Anderson still is viewed as the long-term answer at third base, but in the short term, he will handle right field. JT Riddle has primarily played shortstop and is fine there. Something to keep an eye on regarding Anderson in right field: Garrett Cooper is recovering from his right wrist injury, and he can come off the 60-day disabled list stint in about a week, but he will still need several weeks of rehab games to get up to speed. If Cooper is back by the All-Star break, he could return to right field, with Anderson going to third. Cooper was the Opening Day right fielder. As much as the Marlins want Anderson comfortable in right, they also want him to be ready to play third base, which could be a couple of times a week.
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Timetable for Sandy Alcantara to join the rotation?
-- @gjewett9
When the Marlins optioned Alcantara to Triple-A New Orleans late in Spring Training, the organization made it clear it didn't intend to rush the development of its No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Nothing has changed. Alcantara is progressing nicely with the Baby Cakes, and there currently isn't a need to rush anything regarding the 22-year-old right-hander.
The hope is when Alcantara is called up, it will be for good. The organization still feels he can improve his fastball command and refine his offspeed pitches. The Marlins want him to have more than just a 98-100 mph fastball to attack hitters.
Service time generally comes into consideration for highly rated prospects, and if the club waits until the first week or so of June, the date for players to qualify for Super Two arbitration status will pass.
Also with Alcantara, the Marlins are managing his innings for the entire season. They'd like to keep him around 150; he threw 125 1/3 in the Minors with the Cardinals last year, plus 8 1/3 innings in the big leagues.
Are the Marlins targeting a specific position to bring depth in the farm system in the MLB Draft?
-- @AgusPopi
The Marlins have the 13th overall pick in the Draft, which will be held June 4-6. At that spot, how the picks in front of them pan out will determine their direction.
The stock answer is the team will take the best player available. This year, more so than in the past few seasons, that makes sense. A year ago, there clearly was a lack of organizational pitching depth. That has since been addressed by trades and development of some arms already in the system.
So there isn't a need to go with a pitcher in the first round, but if there is a pitcher that makes more sense than a position player, I could see the club going in that direction.
Some names to focus on are first baseman Triston Casas from American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., and left-hander Shane McClanahan from the University of South Florida.
Does the team stick with Starlin Castro or let him play his way for a trade for prospects?
-- @Who_is_Hoose
Castro is under contract through 2019, and the team has no urgency to trade the 28-year-old second baseman. Of course, the closer we get to the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, we could see clubs showing interest in Castro, catcher J.T. Realmuto, plus relievers like Kyle Barraclough and Brad Ziegler.
For someone like Realmuto, the asking price will be an overpay, meaning multiple top prospects. For Castro, it would simply depend on the market and how many clubs need a second baseman.
Prado's injury actually may increase the Marlins' chances of retaining Castro because the organization doesn't have much position player depth. The season is about one-third through, and veterans like Castro are valuable in helping the club be as competitive as possible.
Any chance the Marlins start trying other guys at closer?
-- @Wehback
Ziegler has had an unbalanced season, being effective nailing down save situations but struggling in non-save situations. A couple of recent rough patches prompted manager Don Mattingly to recently say there is at least some level of concern with Ziegler. The question is, if not Ziegler, then whom? The obvious options are setup right-handers Barraclough, Tayron Guerrero and Drew Steckenrider. All three have swing-and-miss stuff, compared to Ziegler, a ground-ball specialist. At some point, I could see the club going with different options.