Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Marcell Ozuna has taken over the center field position at Marlins Park, which has left last year’s upstart Miami Marlins sensation Justin Ruggiano without a spot in the field and possibly on the Marlins team as a whole.
Ozuna is one of the top prospects in the organization and already has three home runs with a .288 batting average. That is looking like enough for the Marlins to keep him in the outfield and part ways with Ruggiano while Chris Coghlan is on the disabled list.
The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are among other teams that have checked in on Ruggiano’s availability. Although the Marlins may not want to deal Ruggiano at this time, the right deal could always sway Miami to see things differently. Trading Ruggiano does hurt the team’s depth in center field in case Ozuna does get injured. Coghlan is not seen as an everyday center fielder starting the season platooning with Ruggiano.
Christian Yelich’s under performance at Double-A and the lack of desire to recall Jake Marisnick are also contributing factors to the apathy to trade Ruggiano at this time.
Last season, Ruggiano batted .313/.374/.535 with 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 91 games. He struggled in spring training, which caused manager Mike Redmond to use him as a platoon and now he has fallen out of a starting spot starting in only 60 games this year.
He could be added depth to a contender this year if the Marlins choose to deal him.
Ryan Gaydos is a MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. He writes about Miami Marlins rumors as well. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
