Moran takes BP, meets future teammates

MIAMI -- Within the next couple of seasons, the Marlins anticipate Colin Moran becoming their everyday third baseman.

On Saturday afternoon, the 20-year-old got his first taste of hitting at Marlins Park.

The sixth overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Moran went through pregame workouts and took batting practice with the Marlins.

It's become a tradition for Miami's top picks to have one workout with the big league club before they head to the Minor Leagues. Moran, who officially signed on Friday, will be starting his pro career at low Class A Greensboro on Monday.

"I'm just trying to have fun and meet everybody for the first time," said Moran, who attended the University of North Carolina. "Playing in the park for the first time, I'm just trying to get comfortable."

A native of Rye, N.Y., Moran grew up rooting for the Yankees. He was a big fan of Tino Martinez, Miami's hitting coach.

"He was one of my favorite players," Moran said. "Having a chance to meet him and talk with him was just awesome."

The Marlins anticipate Moran will be on the fast track to the big leagues. If he shows promise at Greensboro, he could advance to Class A Jupiter by the end of the season.

Plans also are in the works for Moran to attend the club's minicamp in Jupiter, Fla., in September. And he likely will be headed to the Arizona Fall League.

The skillset Moran possesses reminds some in the organization of Robin Ventura, the former slick-fielding third baseman who now manages the White Sox.

In Moran's first couple of rounds in batting practice, he was spraying line drives to all fields. A left-handed hitter, he even turned on a ball and knocked it over the wall in right field, into the Marlins' bullpen.

In the field, Moran took grounders at third base. He also had a chance to meet Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton while standing there. Stanton was in the midst of his round of hitting, and when he circled the bases, he stopped at third, and used the opportunity to shake Moran's hand.

"He's huge," Moran said. "He's one of the bigger players I've ever seen. Watching his batting practice was impressive. He's a phenomenal player. Having a chance to meet him was awesome. Hopefully I'll get to play with him someday."