Stanton's Strong Spring Shouldn't Sway Marlins

Mike Stanton is having a huge spring, it's hard not to gush over it.

The numbers are stunning: .444 average, 2 homers, 8 RBI, more walks than strikeouts. Coming off an injury shortened stint in the Arizona Fall League where he was leading the league in average, it's clear the 20 year old wants to impress upon his club that he is ready to make the jump to the bigs. The Marlins shouldn't bite, at least not yet.

Stanton has had 1,003 minor league at-bats, a healthy total, but only 299 came above A ball (last season at AA Jacksonville). At lower levels, pitchers generally are forced by their parent club to hone a secondary or tertiary pitch, generally something off-speed, and hitters can thrive off seeing the subpar breaking balls or, even better, the fastball in fastball counts as young pitchers have little faith in their ability to control their secondary pitches when they need a strike.

This isn't to suggest that Stanton's numbers are a mirage or that he is not ready, I think it's plain to see his time in the minors is almost permanently at an end. However, Stanton could use the time to acclimate to seeing (and hitting) a 3-1 change up or a 2-1 curveball. While it seems insignificant, a player with a propensity for strikeouts, which Stanton is, really could benefit from an extended look at advanced pitching before facing Major League pitchers.

Further complicating things is the state of the Marlins' major league outfield. Stanton's natural position is right field, but right field houses the Marlins highest paid and most veteran outfielder, Cody Ross. Ross could slide over to center to make room for Stanton, but that would squeeze Cameron Maybin out, something that, at least at the moment, the Marlins should not consider.

Unless the Marlins feel that Stanton, or Ross, is the short term answer at first base (incredibly unlikely) there just isn't a job waiting for Stanton that wouldn't damage the long term outlook for the team as Stanton's playing time would come at the expense of Maybin which would leave the long term center fielder's job unsettled. To me, that's the same as taking a huge step sideways.

The Marlins are in an enviable position: they have a 20 year old corner outfielder who looks like he could be on the major league roster and not be completely overwhelmed, yet, at the same time, they have no need to promote him right; their major league depth is that strong. Patience, please, patience.