Soler ready to contribute any way he can

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Marlins newcomer Jorge Soler showcased two key facets of his game in Sunday afternoon's 8-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Mets at Clover Park.

Batting leadoff, Soler sent Chris Bassitt's four-seam fastball over the right-field wall for his first homer of the spring. Despite not signing until a week into Spring Training, Soler hasn't missed a beat with a 1.214 OPS in four games. Not your prototypical leadoff hitter, the 30-year-old embraces the opportunity, much like he did with the World Series champion Braves in 2021.

"I feel very well, and the season's starting [April 8], so I need to be in the same rhythm as everybody else, and that's what I'm doing right now," Soler said via an interpreter. "That period of time that I was not with the team, I actually kept myself working, practicing."

In the bottom half of the inning, Soler threw out Brandon Nimmo trying to go from first to third on Starling Marte's hit to left. Primarily a right fielder/designated hitter throughout his career, Soler has a strong arm. Over 413 outfield appearances, he has 16 assists -- 14 in right.

Soler believes that he should play even better in left with shorter throws. Known for his bat, he has shown a willingness to improve his defense. Last season, Soler was in the bottom 2% of the league when it came to outfielder jump, and across 406 career innings in left field -- most recently in 2017 with the Royals -- he has -5 defensive runs saved.

"He's like, 'Hey, whatever you need me to do, I'm willing to do,'" outfield coach Keith Johnson said. "With him, it's going to be a lot of footwork stuff and seeing the ball into the hitting zone. [In] left field, you get the most varied angles that come at you out there. But he's into it, and like I said, as a group, our whole outfield room, everybody's looking forward to helping each other as much as possible and do the things that we need to do to minimize the mistakes and make as many outs and save as many runs as possible."

What a relief
Prospect Will Stewart, among seven players cut from big league camp on Sunday, was a pleasant surprise with scoreless appearances in three of his four Grapefruit League outings. The 24-year-old southpaw will head to Double-A Pensacola, where he will convert to the bullpen.

Acquired as the third piece in the J.T. Realmuto trade with the Phillies, Stewart has a career 4.06 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in six Minor League seasons. In 2021, he posted a 4.33 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 20 starts for the Blue Wahoos.

"Had a little bit of a rough year last year, but really went to work this winter and came back [and] looks pretty good," manager Don Mattingly said. "He's got a really good sinker, and he's got some other pitches, a good change and a slider to go with that."

I saw the sign
Right-hander Pablo López, catcher Jacob Stallings and shortstop Miguel Rojas tested out electronic signs for the first time during Sunday's game. The catcher presses a button to call a pitch and location -- for example a four-seamer to the glove side -- which is then sent to a speaker inside the lining of the pitcher’s cap. Up to five players on the field can wear the speakers.

López, who worked with Stallings in a game for the first time, would be open to using it in the future. One issue, however, did arise.

"I did have the volume way too low to start with because when I tested it in the clubhouse, there was no noise," López said. "When I had to use it in the game, I couldn't hear a single thing. So I had to adjust the volume, but I think it's good. I personally liked it. I think the more we get used to it, you might be able to learn how to use it without slowing the game down too much. You're always concerned about it. You want to keep good rhythm, good tempo between pitches. So obviously it's one of those things that the more you get used to it the easier it will get."

Stallings said the device reminded him of what quarterbacks in football use. If you can't remember what each button is for, you can open the flap and see the corresponding pitch and location.

"I think the most difficult part is if the pitcher shakes, kind of recalibrating and finding which pitch I want to call and that sort of thing," Stallings said. "But I liked it. I thought it was good for pace of the game. I thought there were a few times we went a little too fast. Nobody's going to steal those signs either, so I like the idea of it. It'll take some more getting used to, but I like the idea of it."

When Mattingly pulled López after 23 pitches in the second inning, the righty took the headset out of his cap and gave it to Stallings, who then handed it over to lefty reliever Steven Okert.

Up next
The Marlins have one Grapefruit League game remaining at 11:05 a.m. ET on Tuesday against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.