Countdown to Opening Day: #17 Florida Marlins

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect.

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Chris Coghlan

2B Omar Infante

SS Hanley Ramirez

RF Mike Stanton

1B Gaby Sanchez

LF Logan Morrison

C John Buck

3B Matt Dominquez

P Josh Johnson

PROJECTED ROTATION

Josh Johnson

Ricky Nolasco

Javier Vazquez

Anibal Sanchez

Chris Volstad

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Leo Nunez
Set-up - Clay Hensley

Top Prospect - Matt Dominquez (3B)

Breakout

Mike Stanton - Based on what Stanton did in 100 games as rookie everything points to the right hander being the next jaw-dropping power hitter in the game. His 2010 pace over 162 games factors out to be 36 homers and 96 RBIs. It might take a little longer for the batting average to come around, but Stanton is a lock for 30 homers and he'll flirt with the century mark in ribbies.

Bust

Chris Coghlan - We are only two removed from Coghlan winning rookie of the year, but is feels like a decade ago. Injuries derailed his sophomore season, but I think a lack of staying power in the bigs will derail his career. Pitchers have caught on quickly to Coghlan and he could be in the lineup for his defense and hitting 8th in the batting order by season's end.

Biggest Spring Training Question

Armed or Dangerous? - The rotation has a chance to be one of the best fivesomes in the N.L. if they can stay healthy. Josh Johnson's injuries has South Beach scared and Nolasco and Vazquez are wild cards. Strong years from those two could mean a wild card and October baseball.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 80-82

Can Han Ram lead the Fish to October?

PROJECTED FINISH: 2nd in the National League East

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
 

Check back tomorrow for the Detriot Tigers