Anderson's first spring HR a loud one

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- One of the biggest takeaways from Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson's introductory press conference last month was the chip on his shoulder. It’s something he has carried with him his whole life, and continues to do so with a new club.

Seconds after fans chanted "overrated!" at him, Anderson supplied the power after a brief stadium-wide electrical outage during Monday night's 1-0 Grapefruit League win over the Mets at Clover Park.

Anderson jumped on right-hander Tylor Megill's first pitch of the second inning, sending it over the right-field wall for a solo homer. He entered the at-bat 3-for-16 with no extra-base hits through his first six spring games.

“I've got no other choice, I'm in the box,” Anderson said. “I hear everything, but I just ignored it. But yeah, I definitely heard it. Yeah, it does [motivate me]. And it's always something, so I just try to go out and play hard and play my game, and try not to pay them no mind and just play my game.”

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The Marlins are banking on a bounce-back campaign from the 30-year-old Anderson, who signed a $5 million contract for the 2024 season on Feb. 24. Last season, Anderson went deep just once in 524 plate appearances, turning in a .582 OPS -- lowest among all MLB qualified batters -- while dealing with a nagging left knee sprain.

Until signing Anderson, Miami didn’t have a natural shortstop with proven Major League success on the 40-man roster.

“I think all of his at-bats have been good, honestly,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “3-2 count, I know he struck out once, but he's had base hits the other way. He's had pull-side base hits, base hits up the middle, home run the other way. That's him. He's in his legs a lot more after the knee injury last year.

“You can tell what it looks like when he's healthy. He's fast twitch, and really strong. And when you have your legs, that's what hitting is. You have to have your legs underneath you. When you don't have them, it's tough to hit, and he's got them now. He feels good -- he and [hitting coach John] Mabry have been working hard together. He's buying in defensively and offensively. He's a really good Major League player, and people maybe forgot how good he was.”

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Clark Kent?
If you thought Marlins No. 3 prospect Max Meyer looked different since returning from Tommy John surgery, you’d be correct. Through three spring outings, including Monday’s three scoreless innings, he has sported glasses. Meyer joins Opening Day starter Jesús Luzardo and non-roster invitee Devin Smeltzer as Marlins pitchers who wear glasses on the mound.

“I'm going to need those,” Meyer said. “I have pretty bad dry eyes, so whenever I get some dust or the wind gets me, it starts fogging up pretty quick. So that helps a lot though. It's like 100 percent with those on.”

On the right track
Left-hander Trevor Rogers tossed three scoreless innings in his second spring start, striking out five, scattering two hits and walking none. He fanned consecutive batters -- Pete Alonso (changeup) and Francisco Alvarez (two-seamer) -- in the first inning.

Although the Marlins eased Rogers back this spring because of his injury-riddled 2023 season, he should have enough time to be built up in time for the regular season if he makes the Opening Day rotation.

“I'll be ready,” Rogers said. “With everything the way it's going right now, knock on wood. My body's feeling good, so just keep doing my thing and bounce back the way I know I'm able to this camp. I'll be ready to go.”