Miami's star outfielder Kyle Stowers could find a new defensive home. The Marlins are exploring adding his bat at first base, aiming for lineup flexibility.
MIAMI — Miami Marlin Kyle Stowers is nearing a healthy return to the diamond, but possibly in another position.
Throughout the midweek series against the Cincinnati Reds, the star outfielder has been taking part in first base drills. During his pregame press conference on Wednesday, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said seeing Stowers being added to the mix at first base is “definitely a possibility," but an idea that was brought up just after the conclusion of last season.
"I spoke with Kyle about this in November, over the offseason, that as much as I value and we do as an organization, positional flexibility and optionality,” McCullough said. “Kyle potentially had a skill set to maybe do that.”
The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Triple-A affiliate of the Marlins, announced on Thursday that Stowers is scheduled to begin his minor league rehab assignment over the weekend starting Friday during their road series against the Norfolk Tides.
Much like the designated hitter role, McCullough sees first base as a way to help give Stowers “a different type of workload over there." He also sees the added position as a way to lighten the load for him during a game while keeping his bat in the lineup.
“I want to keep Kyle in games,” McCullough said.
The Marlins have several outfielders with All-Star potential, but no one to claim the everyday first-baseman role. They signed Christopher Morel to a free-agent contract, but his injury has led to four players being used at first base.
Connor Norby, originally a third baseman, made his 10th start on Wednesday. Catcher Liam Hicks and third baseman Graham Pauley each made one start while playing other positions and Deyvison De Los Santos made his MLB debut at first base before returning to Triple-A Jacksonville. Entering Wednesday, that position has produced an .806 OPS.
Norby’s advice to Stowers after the game was simple, “Catch the ball.”
”You don’t got to be a hero and make every pick,” he said. “He’s gonna be fine. He’s looked good over there. Once we get him in a game, you’ll start to see.”
Stowers hit 25 home runs and 73 RBI with a .288 batting average and .912 OPS last season. He was an All-Star and a finalist for a Gold Glove in left field, but never played first base in either the big leagues or minor leagues.
He would not be the first outfielder to play first base this season. Griffin Conine played five spring-training games at first base this year and finished a game there earlier in the season.
Much like last season, the Marlins' roster is fluid and the lineup changes based on the opponent. McCullough and the Marlins value versatility on defense and it’s what’s keeping some of the players on the roster.
"We have skilled players trying to look for any possible way that they can be utilized to help us win games,” McCullough said. “It's advantageous for myself and also for the player. You're just a more attractive player if you have the ability to do multiple things."
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