These 3 vets could make the Marlins' season

MIAMI -- Summer Camp is another opportunity for several of the Marlins’ top prospects to showcase if they're ready for the regular season. But in terms of impacting the club from Day 1 of the regular season, Miami will be banking on big contributions from three veteran newcomers.

Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson and Jesús Aguilar are each projected to hit in the top four spots in the lineup, as well as to provide clubhouse leadership. The three are major additions to a lineup that ranked 29th in the Majors in runs (615) and last in home runs (146) in 2019.

“It's adding three hitters to the lineup,” said manager Don Mattingly. “It obviously changes things, but those three guys have looked good. You can tell they all did their work when they were gone.”

Because the Marlins have so many promising prospects in camp -- like outfielders Monte Harrison and Jesús Sánchez, as well as first baseman Lewin Díaz -- they’ve rightfully been getting plenty of attention.

While they or other youngsters may make the Opening Day roster if not called up at some point this year, none of them have played in the big leagues.

With the season set to start on July 24 at the Phillies, Villar, Dickerson and Aguilar are already established big leaguers. They’re also seeing their repetitions increase in camp.

Already, they’ve had 25-30 at-bats in simulated scrimmages or live batting practice sessions.

In the first 10 days of camp, workouts have been a gradual build-up as to not wear down players.

“Now we have to start kicking it in gear,” Mattingly said.

Villar, a switch-hitter, is the projected leadoff hitter, while Dickerson and Aguilar primarily hit third and fourth, respectively, in Grapefruit League games.

Here's how each bat is projected to impact the Marlins’ lineup in 2020:

Jonathan Villar
2019 stats to know: Member of the 20/40 club; played in all 162 games

Acquired in early December from the Orioles for left-handed pitching prospect Easton Lucas, Villar will play multiple positions. He was used mostly in center field in Spring Training, but he’s seen time at shortstop and second base in Summer Camp. With the designated hitter in the National League this year, that presents another option.

• CF, 2B, SS, DH: Villar 'here for every situation'

With the Orioles in 2019, Villar hit .274/.339/.453 with 24 home runs, 73 RBIs, 111 runs and 40 stolen bases. He played in all 162 games.

Villar can change the game with his bat and his legs. Along with being a threat to steal bases, he can drive the ball out of the park, like he did while hitting from the left side off Elieser Hernandez in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“Not only can [the three] help us, obviously, on the field and in the game,” said hitting coach Eric Duncan, "but their impact also is in the cage, their impact is during BP, their impact is during advance meetings when we're talking about opposing pitchers."

Corey Dickerson
2019 stat to know: .906 OPS in 78 injury-riddled games

A left-handed-hitting left fielder, Dickerson played for the Pirates and Phillies in 2019. He signed a two-year, $17.5 million deal with Miami in the offseason, and he has a history of performance.

“Guys like Dickerson have a track record of hitting, and lengthy ones as well,” Duncan said.

Injuries limited him to 78 games in 2019, and Dickerson finished with a slash line of .304/.341/.565 with 12 home runs and 59 RBIs. He’s had an OPS of greater than .800 in five of his seven MLB seasons.

An All-Star with the Rays in 2017, Dickerson hit .282 with 27 home runs and 62 RBIs that season.

Jesús Aguilar
2019 stats to know: 12 doubles and 12 homers in 131 games after All-Star '18 campaign

Projected to be the regular first baseman, Aguilar also could be used some as the designated hitter as well.

The Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Rays in December, and they are banking on him bouncing back after a disappointing 2019. With the Brewers and Rays a year ago, Aguilar hit .236 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs.

But with the Brewers in 2018, he was an All-Star, hitting .274 with 35 home runs and 108 RBIs.

Mattingly has liked Aguilar for years, and said the 6-foot-3, 277-pound slugger is solid defensively.

“This guy can hit,” Mattingly said. “This guy is a surprisingly good athlete, as far as being able to play first. He’s good over there. He’s nimble on his feet. He’s got great hands. He is swinging the bat great. I think he’s going to be a huge addition for us this year.”