Non Roster Invitee: Mike Stanton – Marlins

No no not that Mike Stanton, Mike Stanton the 20 year old outfielder who has wowed the Marlins organization the last month.

Stanton was expected to repeat Double-A this year but considering he’s hitting .316 with 3 homers in 19 at-bats this spring even manger Freddi Gonzalez is starting to wonder why the club isn’t looking to put him in the opening day lineup.

Had Dan Uggla been traded it’s likely Stanton would be in the lineup come opening day as Chris Coghlan probably moves back to second base leaving a whole in the outfield. Had Cody Ross been traded there would have been a hole in right field.

With both Uggla and Cody Ross remaining on the roster the Marlins simply cannot put the 20 year old talent on the team. Most expect Uggla or even Ross to be traded at some point this year which unquestionably opens up the spot for Stanton to play.

Here’s what you want/need to know about Stanton. He’s got big time power hitting 39 homers in A-ball in 2008 and then 28 between High-A and Double-A last season. He hits homers, he hits doubles, he’s even legged out a few triples and could swipe a base or two.

Of course he also manged just a .231/.311/.455 line in 299 at-bats at Double-A so maybe we are jumping the gun a bit based solely on his spring numbers. Like most young power hitters it’s tough for him to lay off pitches and he strikes out a lot.

But then again it’s not that every young power hitter has the ability of Stanton either.

I fully expect the Marlins to send Stanton down to start the season perhaps if the fish fall out of the NL East or Wild Card race they make a trade that opens up a spot for Stanton if he performs well. If not it’s likely that spot goes to someone else who is hitting well.

It may not be this season but Stanton will certainly be making a splash as a Marlin sooner then later.