Mattingly impressed by Berti's breakout 2019
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NEW YORK -- Marlins manager Don Mattingly said infielder/outfielder Jon Berti has exceeded expectations since joining the club this season as a free agent.
Berti, 29, can play all three outfield positions, as well as shortstop and third base. Offensively, he has been a sparkplug at the top of the lineup after the All-Star break, hitting .291 with a .365 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases entering action Thursday.
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“The analytics department were right on him and we have seen it,” Mattingly said. “He makes contact and everything else. He is a guy who is showing that he could hit. The speed is only there when you get on base. Bert showed the ability to get on base. I think he will get better by seeing more pitching.”
Next year, Berti has to continue to make adjustments at the plate if he wants to continue to play every day. He called it a “constant process.”
“The process that I have is to continue to work to get better, to have as much success that I have,” Berti said. “From an offensive standpoint, the more at-bats you have, the more of a scouting report these pitchers will have and develop for you -- the different ways they want to attack you. It’s being able to stick to your strengths, but also understanding your weaknesses, being able to work on those a little bit, too, in order to complement those strengths.”
Brinson needs better at-bats
Ever since he returned to the Major Leagues in early August, Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson continues to look overmatched.
From Aug. 5 through Wednesday, Brinson batted .168 with 44 strikeouts. He seems vulnerable to the high fastball and low breaking ball. Once a high prospect, Mattingly wants to see results from Brinson next year.
“That doesn’t mean always get hits, but putting good at-bats out there and putting balls in play hard,” Mattingly said. “That what we need to see out of Lewis as much as anything -- see quality at-bats … show that he sees the ball good, because then you know you are going to get the results.”
Asked if Brinson needed to play winter ball after the season, Mattingly said, “Anytime you get to play, you get better. [There are] experiences against different styles of pitching -- different environments, continued reps -- all that stuff is good for him.”