Race For Fifth Starter Seemingly Down to Two

Andrew Miller

What was once a race for three spots in the rotation has, after Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez staked claims, come down to a race for only the fifth starter spot, and all indications are that either Andrew Miller or Clay Hensley will win the job.

Both pitched Monday in a rain soaked simulated game, and based on reports, the two showcased their talents; Miller showed off a mid 90's fastball and Hensley an effective heavy sinker.

If Saturday is any indication, Hensley has jumped Andrew Miller on the Marlins' depth charts, as Hensley draws the major league assignment while Andrew Miller will be pitching a minor league game on the backfields. Saturday's game comes against a non-division opponent (St. Louis), giving even more reason to believe that Hensley has jumped Miller in the race for the 5th starter.

Most importantly, though, is that Hensley is in camp on a contract that allows him to walk away from the Marlins entirely if he is not on the 25 man roster by opening day. With the kind of spring he's had, the Marlins would hate to lose him for nothing. Conversely, Andrew Miller still has an option left, and a half-season at AAA could do wonders for him.

Unless Hensley absolutely implodes against the Cardinals on Saturday, look for him to win the 5th starter's spot in what would be an incredibly surprising all right-handed rotation.

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Marlins Bullpen Already Set?

Fredi Gonzalez never misses a chance to oversimplify and today was no exception; claiming he has 6 of his 7 bullpen spots ready.

“Things can change with trades, waiver-wire acquisitions,” Gonzalez said, “but as of today you got Pinto, Meyer, Nunez, Sanches, the Hopper, Veras – I like his stuff. So, I leave one spot.”

Notably missing: the loser of the 5th starter race and Mike MacDougal. In MacDougal, the Marlins had what I thought to be the prototypical Beinfest reliever: a big fastball, a closing pedigree and a chip on his shoulder.

The fate for the odd-man out in the rotation race is a little more convoluted. With the exception of Hayden Penn, every pitcher still "in it" has options left (or, in the case of Clay Hensley, isn't even on the 40-man roster) so the minors are very much in play.

It should be an interesting race to the finish for the bullpen, but I cannot stress how shocked I would be to see the Marlins leave Jupiter without Mike MacDougal on the team.


Post Game Addition:

And, like clockwork, Jose Veras took the job security and then threw up all overhimself. 4 runs (all earned) a walk and a strikeout in an inning and two thirds. I reiterate: Mike MacDougal not getting the job ahead of Veras would be the biggest shock of the spring.