3 top storylines entering Marlins camp

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow last week, but winter is making way for spring when it comes to baseball.

Marlins competing in the World Baseball Classic must report to Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla., next week. Here are three storylines to monitor at big league camp:

1. Will Jazz's transition to center field go off without a hitch?
The acquisition of Luis Arraez means moving Jazz Chisholm Jr., an All-Star second baseman in 2022, to a position that the Marlins haven't been able to fill since dealing Starling Marte at the 2021 Trade Deadline. Opening Day starter Jesús Sánchez was one of six players to man center field for Miami in '22.

Chisholm believes he can become a Top 5 center fielder in 2023 despite never having played in the outfield at any level. General manager Kim Ng pointed to Chisholm's range, speed and athleticism as reasons for why the experiment should work.

It will be interesting to see how Chisholm's body holds up in loanDepot park's spacious outfield, which features synthetic turf. He was limited to just 60 games in 2022 due to a stress fracture in his lower back and a torn right meniscus.

2. What sort of impact can the new coaching staff have?
It seems like a lifetime ago the Marlins hired Skip Schumaker to be their new skipper. Schumaker, who has never managed at any level, has built an experienced staff around him. At his introductory press conference, he said the coaches must outwork the players, setting them up to succeed through preparation. First-base/outfield coach Jon Jay already had been working with players based in South Florida this winter.

The member of the staff arguably facing the greatest scrutiny will be hitting coach Brant Brown, who left the Dodgers to inherit a club that finished with the Majors' third-fewest runs. But Miami's lineup isn't the same after welcoming newcomers Arraez and Jean Segura. The Marlins also will hope for a bounce-back season from Avisaíl García and healthy campaigns from Jorge Soler and Chisholm.

3. How much playing time will the top prospects get?
Right-hander Eury Pérez (No. 1), third baseman Jacob Berry (No. 3) and left-hander Dax Fulton (No. 7) are non-roster invitees. Pérez and Fulton finished the 2022 season with Southern League champion Double-A Pensacola. Berry, who was selected sixth overall in last summer's MLB Draft, is considered an advanced college bat who saw time at Single-A Jupiter.

With several Marlins expected to participate in the World Baseball Classic, there might be more opportunities than usual for youngsters to appear in Grapefruit League games. Miami is scheduled for 29 games, including two split-squad days and an exhibition against Team Israel. If the likes of Pérez, Berry and Fulton don't see game action, at least they will get to experience a Major League clubhouse. For example, right-hander Max Meyer was at big league camp in 2021 but didn't pitch in a game until '22.