Marlins take some hacks on first day of live BP

JUPITER, Fla. -- Giancarlo Stanton made the only swing he took in live batting practice count. The slugger blistered a Henderson Alvarez fastball over the fence in left-center on Saturday afternoon.

Other than that monstrous blast, Stanton tracked pitches in his first couple of rounds in the cage.

Stanton was not alone taking his swings.

Saturday was the first day of live BP for the Marlins. Pitchers were behind screens, and the hitters were under the cage commonly called "the turtle."

"It starts the process about seeing pitches, and working on your timing," manager Mike Redmond said. "We'll do this for a couple of days, and we'll do a couple of simulated days like we did last year."

The first day of live batting practice usually provides an advantage for the pitchers, who arrive at Spring Training a few days earlier than the position players.

A former player, Redmond quipped that it's always a fun day for the hitters. He exaggerated that hitters bring about eight bats out there to get carved up by the pitching.

The Marlins open their exhibition season on Wednesday against the University of Miami. They begin Grapefruit League play on Friday against the Cardinals.

"When we start the games on Friday," Redmond said, "guys will at least have a few days of seeing some live pitches."