Joe Frisaro of MLB.com opened up his “Inbox” this morning to discuss all things related to the Miami Marlins. Amongst the many questions that he answered, the topic of Brian Anderson and his fast start to the major-league baseball season was one of them.
Per the story that he wrote, Frisaro discussed the fact that Anderson, a rookie playing third-base in place of the injured Martin Prado, is off to a fast start, and could be considered for the National League Rookie of the Year.
The question was simple – once Prado comes back from a hamstring injury that has placed him on the disabled list to start the season, would he replace the rookie at the hot corner?
The answer is “doubtful.”
Brian Anderson has been a player who has shown improvement on all levels of the minor-league system. While he spent time in Jacksonville and New Orleans last year, and he got a taste of the big leagues at the end of the season when he was a September callup. He showed enough to be considered a starter even without Prado being injured. And if the veteran does come back and is able to play consistently, there is no guarantee there will be a place for him in the starting lineup.
What this does is establish the team’s future at third-base, and it allows manager Don Mattingly to use Prado at other positions where he could be most useful.
Anderson hit his first homerun the other night against the Boston Red Sox, and could be a 20-homerun hitter this year, something the team needs because of his lack of power in the middle of the order. Also, Anderson has spent time at second base in the minors, which makes him valuable as the multi-purpose infielder.
Prado, who has been the third baseman for the Marlins over the past few years when he has not been on the injured list, can play second base and first base. There’s also a belief that he could spend time in the outfield. Cameron Maybin, Lewis Brinson, and Derek Dietrich have been holding down the Marlins outfield, but there is a believe Prado would see time there if there was an injury or one of the three starters showed inconsistency in the field or at the plate.
For now, Brian Anderson is the Marlins third baseman. I’d be surprised if that changed even if Prado was able to come back within the next few weeks free from injury.