Marlins move Jazz Chisholm to center field

The Marlins made their long-awaited starter-to-hitter swap this afternoon. Pablo Lopez to Minnesota as part of a deal with Luis AraezShortly after the deal was finalized, Miami general manager Kim Ng told reporters ( Craig Misch of sports grid) The newly acquired infielder takes over as the starting second baseman. Jazz Chisholm Jr. Move from keystone to center field.

It’s an interesting bet for Miami, which indirectly addresses an uncertain center field mix in today’s trade. Arraez has a lot of experience as a second baseman. He came out of the minors at the position and has scored more MLB innings than any other position. 4 For part of his season, Arraez has spent his little over 1200 innings at Keystone.

As for his effectiveness, public defense metrics are mixed. Defense Runs Saved rated him nine runs below average in just 390 innings in 2019 as a rookie. Over the three seasons since, the DRS has rated him as a slightly better second baseman. Statcast wasn’t so optimistic. He feels he’s improving since his poor rookie show in 2019 with an estimated -7 runs, but his ratings have been just below par in two of the last three years.

Statcast rates Arraez’s arm strength as slightly above average for this position. However, scouts have questioned his lateral quickness and athleticism as a prospect. Minnesota pushed him primarily at first base last season, hitting 31 times at keystone (some games at third base were also mixed in) compared to 60 at first base.Minnesota signature of course Carlos Correa Securing a short stop Jorge Polanco would play almost exclusively at second base. The Twins felt more comfortable with Polanco’s grab than Ares in midfield, but they could have given the latter more of his doubles had he not landed one of the sport’s best shortstops. be.

It’s a surprise to Miami to keep Chisholm out of Nakano. The 24-year-old (next month will be his 25) has established himself as the organization’s top player for his position with a .254/.325/. I suffered a stress fracture in my back. He also underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Signed as a potential shortstop from the Bahamas, Chisholm has only played for Nakano professionally. He’ll hit the outfield on the spot next season, and he’ll be in over a month of spring training to adjust to his new position.

It’s impossible to know how Chisholm, who has zero experience as an outfielder, will deal with the different readings and angles he needs to learn as an outfielder. Miami is clearly confident in honing these aspects of his game quickly, relying on his elite athleticism in the meantime. Statcast placed them in the league’s 94th percentile in that regard last season. He was tied for 19th among his 74 center fielders in his sprint speed, so from that perspective the Marlins should have had no problem covering his park’s spacious outfield.

Prospect’s evaluators also praised Chisholm’s above-average pitching ability. He hasn’t shown it at his MLB level, but it’s not fair to compare his pitching speed as a second baseman to center fielder. Chisholm clearly had a faster release and a much shorter distance to throw on the right side of the infield than he did from center field.

Nonetheless, it’s a gamble for Fish given the challenge of predicting how quickly he’ll develop the kind of reading needed to be a solid defensive center fielder. But Miami, who missed the chance to be promoted directly from outside the organization, will take it.The free agent market at that position was mostly confined to deeper players Brandon Nemo, Cody Bellinger When Kevin KiermeierThe trade only offered a few more obvious contenders and the Pirates stuck with a massive asking price Brian Reynolds And there are even reports of somewhat significant demands from the Royals on Globe First options such as Michael A. Taylor.

Rather than redoing things with a player like Jesus Sanchez, Brian De La Cruz When JJ Buday — all better in the corner outfield — they hand things over to Chisholm.Their young outfielder will be vying for a spot in the opposite corner Abyssail Garciaalthough Arraez appears to be participating in Joey Wendle, Jean Segura When Garrett Cooper in the primary infield.