The Miami Heat Beat Big Board: Forwards

This is a re-post from late May….

Your Tankathon simulations were futile. Sorry. The Miami Heat will be drafting 13th.

With that finally being settled, the Heat Beat/Five Reasons crew will be rolling out some piping hot draft #content for you. We — as in myself, Greg “Leif “Sylvander, and Jack Alfonso — will kick things off with some general big boards, covering players that may be available around Miami’s range. We started with the guards and added the wings. Now it’s time to knock out the forwards.

Tier 1

Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8” 215 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 3.2 blocks, 71/27/69 shooting split

Can you say Miami Heat player? Defensive versatility is the calling card for Gonzaga’s best all around player last season. Clarke possesses the fast twitch athleticism and defensive IQ necessary to be an All-NBA defender. He has that type of upside on defense.

Clarke moves his feet on defense like Bam Adebayo when guarding quicker players and is explosive off the ground, especially on the 2nd or 3rd jump. These physical gifts help offset his lack of size as a projected 4 at the pro level. His versatility also should allow him to defend multiple positions, even as a small ball 5 or oversized 3. Again, the versatility is intriguing. Instincts and ability to slide into pretty much any defensive scheme make him a particularly intriguing option for the always defensive oriented Heat. His success as a pick and roll defender add to his intrigue as it pertains to fitting in Miami.

Clarke’s offensive development, particularly increasing his range to beyond 17 feet, will determine his offensive upside. He may end up a bit like Shawn Marion was as an offensive player, which while limited, can still be valuable. The one downside would be the Heat sorely lack offense and this pick would be almost solely about defense initially.

One scout I spoke with, on the condition of anonymity, said of Clarke: “Incredible finisher, great leaper, super mobile, excellent rim protector and shot blocker, can switch a bit on the perimeter, has some passing chops, shot is not completely broken. He was the 2nd, or at worst 3rd, best player in college basketball this year.”

While I personally think that opinion is probably on the slightly optimistic side for Clarke, it can’t be ignored that Clarke turned heads with his team first play and all around defensive dominance last season. Think Kenyon Martin meets Paul Millsap with a smidge of Jordan Bell, an evolved Taj Gibson and maybe even a little Paskal Siakam from a stylistic perspective. If the offensive scoring punch cannot be acquired at 13, I expect Clarke (if he makes it to 13) to be another primary player of consideration for Miami. -Leif

Tier 2

PJ Washington, Kentucky, Sophomore, Forward, 6’8” 235 lbs

Stats: 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 52/42/66 shooting split

Early indications are the Heat are intrigued by the skill set and potential fit of Washington as a stretch 4 alongside the existing core of . The Heat like the offensive versatility that Washington brings to the table. He’s also wiry strong in a way that lends itself to being able to eventually matchup physically with most 4s in the league. Heat strength and conditioning regiments will only further develop the already strong Kentucky forward.

While Washington is undersized in a traditional sense, measuring 6’ 6.5” barefoot and 6’8” in shoes, he has some of the physical traits that are typically coveted by Heat brass, posting 7′ 2.5” wingspan, 8′ 11” standing reach and 6.85% body fat. A front court duo of Adebayo and Washington has the potential to be a potent combination due to both players ability to pass and initiate offense. Heat fans will also recognize Washington’s signature elbow jumper, reminiscent of a similar shot cultivated by Mr. 305 himself Udonis Haslem.

Ball handling and post scoring project to be two of the biggest areas of opportunity for Washington to expand his game. Luckily those are not necessarily the aspects of the PF position necessary to fit alongside the Heat’s core, provided they eventually find a way to add another alpha play maker at another position.

Although some may say #13 may be a bit high for PJ Washington, he is currently among my leaders in the clubhouse should the Heat stay at 13. Although I will caution that is far too early to nail down the most likely candidates at the back of the lottery. Surprises are sure to unfold as the draft nears. That said, Heat fans should get to know PJ Washington. -Leif

Rui Hachimara, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8 230

Stats: 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 59/42/74 shooting split

It’s easy to see the intrigue with Hachimara. He’s a good athlete with elite measurables (hello, 7’2 wingspan!) and has no issue getting buckets. The Heat not only need a bucket-getter, but a long term option at the 4. Hachimara appears to check those boxes.

He’s a monster in the mid-post with the ability to finish over and through contests. The three-point shot isn’t as good as the numbers advertise, but there’s enough touch there to project plus-impact in that regard.

There are just some very obvious holes that I can’t really get past.

The biggest one: Hachimura has virtually no feel for the game at all.

He’s an absolute train wreck defensively with no real ability to track two actions at the same time. It’s true that he hasn’t played basketball for long, but that’s also part of the problem. You can (mostly) improve your tangible skills with enough reps — ball-handling, shooting, finishing. Feel is a trait that you either have or you don’t. Unless you’re putting Hachimura in a switch-literally-everything scheme so he doesn’t have to think, it’s hard to see him being able to defend well enough to be a real impact player on the next level.

I want no parts. And don’t worry, he’ll be one of the players I break down with film to further hammer home the point. -Nekias

Tier 3

Grant Williams, Tennessee, Junior, Forward, 6’7 236

Stats: 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks, 56/33/82 shooting split

We can get the negatives out of the way early. The perimeter stroke is questionable. Williams is very much a mid-post-and-in type of player. He projects as a 4 at the next level, and his size makes that an odd fit in Miami long term.

What makes Williams intriguing is what makes Hachimura a no-go as a prospect for me. He knows how to play the game. Williams sees the floor incredibly well and can make the skips needed to keep an offense flowing. Add in his ability to finish, and he projects as a guy that can dice teams up in short-roll situations. He’s also a darn good defender that doesn’t mind mixing it up with players with a size advantage.

A Williams selection would make the most sense if the Heat trade back to the 17-21 range. I’m not sure that happens, but he’s a Heat pick if I’ve ever seen it. -Nekias

Cam Johnson, North Carolina, Senior, Forward, 6’9” 210 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 5146/81 shooting split

Johnson is an incredibly reliable shooter with beautiful form. In an NBA world where spacing is everything, on a Heat team that has often been desperate for snipers, a guy like Cam who can move well off ball and knock down shots consistently is precious as gold. Ideally, Johnson and J-Rich beyond the arc give Justise and Bam the space they need to work inside.

There are question marks though. I’m not particularly high on his defensive potential. He’s not a great athlete and he’s pretty lanky. He can possibly hold his own on defense, but I’ll be shocked if he’s ever above-average on that end.

The biggest concerns are his health and age. He’s already 23, which is fine, but he wouldn’t give the Heat much upside. He’s also had knee issues and hip surgery that call into question his ability to stay on the floor consistently. There’s a fit in Miami, but I think he’s a guy you trade back for.  -Jack

Mfiondu Kabengele FSU, Sophomore, Forward 6’10, 240 lbs

Stats: 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 50/37/76 shooting split

This is another under the radar prospect worth keeping an eye on for Miami. Kabengele is one of the best shooting big men in this draft. He has a nice stroke from mid-range and can also make open threes from everywhere. He’s physically imposing to the point that he is unlikely to be pushed around by very many NBA bigs from day one. His athleticism and potential for a potent face-up game are intriguing.

He reminds me of Serge Ibaka — not as good in the low post, but maybe a bit more versatile. Already being 22 years old may cap his upside, but it doesn’t concern me much. He’s still raw in many ways, so this pick would require patience. However, his combination of NBA frame, strength, and shooting make him worth monitoring. -Leif

The best man should be the Dolphins’ QB

One of the first things head coach Brian Flores established when he took command of the Miami Dolphins is that no one on the roster is truly safe.

“I think everyone’s got to work to start in this league and on this team.” Flores said during OTAs. “I think there’s no doubt about that. I would say there’s no sacred cows, not in this game. I think you have to earn what you get. That’s the case for everyone on the team.”

Yet as training camp draws closer, the consensus is that Josh Rosen should start the season regardless of the circumstances. On the surface, it makes complete sense; Ryan Fitzpatrick is obviously not the future of the franchise, and yet throughout the offseason program, all reports indicated that Fitzpatrick was ahead of Rosen by leaps and bounds.

So why, given Flores’ comments, would it be acceptable to name Rosen the starter if everyone knows that Fitzpatrick is outplaying him?

Simple answer. It’s not.

Flores has a unique opportunity here in Miami. There is no established starter at quarterback, for the first time since Ryan Tannehill was drafted back in 2012, there is a legitimate competition to determine who will be throwing the football in 2019.

It behooves any coach to stay true to his word, particularly when he’s first starting out. If he says that all positions are up for grabs, then he must follow through on that statement, especially regarding the most important position on the team. It does not matter that Rosen is younger and has potential to be a franchise QB, it does not matter that the aging Fitzpatrick won’t be here beyond 2020 at the latest. Whoever wins the competition, regardless of the circumstances, should start the season.

That sends a message to the rest of the locker room: no position is above scrutiny. If you perform, you play. If you don’t, you’re benched. Players respect that when even QB is included.

And that is where Josh Rosen could see his chance. If he loses the competition, but Fitzpatrick starts to struggle during the season, Flores gets to keep his word and still let Rosen play and be evaluated.

If Rosen is truly franchise worthy, he won’t need all 16 games to be evaluated. He’ll make it known very quickly that he’s the man. So may the best man win.

 

Luis Sung (@LuisDSung) has written for Dolphins Wire and several other outlets. Photo by Tony Capobianco.

Top Dolphins to target in Fantasy Football

On paper, the Miami Dolphins are supposed to be dreadful in 2019.  But that doesn’t mean they don’t have a plethora of offensive weapons that could help you win your Fantasy Football league.  And although there is a ton of uncertainty surrounding Brian Flores’ team, the coaching staff, and players alike, there are still plenty of playmakers to target this upcoming season.

Here are the top Dolphins players to target in Fantasy Football in 2019.

The Usual Suspects

 

Kenyan Drake – ADP 47 (HB 25)

Since being drafted in 2016, Drake was severely underutilized by the previous regime.  Furthermore, with a New England-style offense likely to be implemented in Miami, it is anyone’s guess as to whether or not he will get a bulk of the carries.  However, Drake possesses a unique skill-set that many running backs in the league can only dream of.  And for as explosive as he is in the run game, he’s equally as deadly in the passing game.  In 2018, Drake was targeted 73 times in the passing game.  He recorded 53 receptions for 455 yards and 5 touchdowns.  He also carried the football 120 times for 535 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Drake may not have been used the way many had hoped, but he was productive nonetheless.  And in a contract year in 2019, look for Drake to have the best season of his young NFL career.

Kalen Ballage – ADP 140 (HB 53)

Depending on who you ask, Ballage may have a real chance at surpassing Drake on the Dolphins’ depth chart.  Nevertheless, his skill-set is the perfect thunder to Drake’s lightning.  Ballage was impressive in limited action in 2018, but whether or not that will translate in a new offense is yet to be decided.  Additionally, whether you draft Drake and are looking for his handcuff, or believe Ballage can be the bell-cow, he is already one of the top Dolphins’ targets this upcoming fantasy football season.  And is just an injury or big game away from being the Dolphins starter for the foreseeable future.

DeVante Parker – ADP 177 (WR 65)

There are very few certainties in life.  Death, taxes, and DeVante Parker looking like a Hall of Fame wide receiver during OTAs.  Sure, he has never lived up to the high expectations that followed the former 14th-overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.  But the skill-set is still there.  And in a new offense, with a new quarterback, and a new look on life, the time is now for Parker to become the No.1 wide receiver many had hoped.  Truth is, it’s hard to look past the pain that Parker has caused me in fantasy football.  But if he’s ever going to become the wide receiver he believes he can become, 2019 is the year.  As always, draft Parker with extreme caution.

Kenny Stills – ADP 188 (WR 66)

Some would argue that Kenny Stills is the Dolphins’ top receiver heading into this upcoming season.  And after a disappointing 2018 campaign, he will be looking to take his game to the next level in a new offense that could better utilize his skill-set.  Last season, Stills recorded 37 receptions for 553 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Although his impact on a defense doesn’t always reflect on the scoreboard, Stills is currently the fourth Dolphins’ player selected in half-point PPR leagues.  Throughout training camp, we have heard a lot about his repertoire with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Time will tell how that translates to the regular season, but Stills is the safest fantasy receiver on the roster.  And should be drafted in all fantasy formats.

Albert Wilson – ADP 213 (WR 73)

For those of you that don’t know, Albert Wilson is one of my top fantasy targets in 2019.  And if 2018 is any indication, he’s inline for a big uptick in targets this upcoming season.  However, the one uncertainty that surrounds Wilson remains his health. And if he’s able to recover fully from a hip injury that sidelined him for the second half of the 2018 season, big things are in store for him.  Wilson caught 26/35 targets for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns, last season.  Oh, and he also completed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant.  Wilson is a threat in all facets of the game.  And could have a Cordarelle Patterson-like impact in Chad O’Shea’s offense.

Best of the rest

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick – ADP 211 (QB 28)

In 2018, Ryan “FitzMagic” Fitzpatrick completed 164/246 passes for 2,366 yards, 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in Tampa Bay.  He also was the first player in NFL history to achieve three consecutive 400-yard games  .  It is uncertain how many games he will start in 2019 but if OTAs are an early indication, he will likely be the Dolphins’ Week 1 starter.

Mike Gesicki – ADP 230 (TE 26)

To say Gesicki was a disappointment last season would be an understatement.  And with just 22 receptions for 202-yards in 2018, one would have to expect a big increase in receptions, yards and touchdowns. (He had zero touchdowns in 2018)  Could he be Miami’s Rob Gronkowski?  Highly unlikely, but he’s worth the gamble towards the end of your fantasy draft.

Josh Rosen – ADP 238 (QB 33)

Rosen has been dealt the short end of the stick throughout most of his football career.  And with a training camp battle vs Ryan Fitzpatrick, it is uncertain whether or not he will be the Dolphins’ week 1 starter.  Nonetheless, Fitzpatrick’s magic won’t last an entire season, which means Rosen will be Miami’s starter sooner rather than later.  And for a guy out to prove he has what it takes to be an NFL quarterback, there’s a chance he could come out firing on all cylinders.  Rosen is currently QB 33, but that will change as we inch closer to the 2019 season.

Mark Walton – ADP 350 (HB 100)

Walton’s status for 2019 is in doubt, after the second-year running back was arrested three times during the offseason.  If he can avoid Roger Goodell’s ban-hammer, he may have some value as a handcuff to Drake or Ballage.

Jakeem Grant – N/A

The man they call ‘Mighty Mouse’ is fully recovered from an Achilles’ injury that sidelined him for most of the 2018 season.  Look for the explosive playmaker to have a big impact this upcoming season and could be a late-round/waiver wire pick up to help you during your playoff push.

Preston Williams – N/A

The 6’4 undrafted wide receiver was spotted working out with Chad Johnson this offseason.  And although it is no guarantee he makes the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, odds are in his favor.  Williams has all the tools to be a No.1 wide receiver.  Whether or not he gets an opportunity in 2019, however, is yet to be determined.

 

Which Dolphins players are you most likely to target in Fantasy Football this season?

(All ADPs were taken from Fantasy Pros using .5 PPR)

This article was written by Josh Houtz (@houtz) he is a Dolphins’ fan that loves long walks on the beach, IPAs, and Fantasy Football

¡Quítenle la Copa del Mundo a Catar!

Catar no merece ser la sede de una Copa del Mundo de la Fifa.

Cuando su candidatura empezaba a sonar entre las posibles sedes del Mundial de 2022 muchos nos asombramos.

Hoy, a unos tres años de que se lleve a cabo ese mundial allá, sabemos que todo fue comprado, como probablemente fue el mundial de Rusia 2018.

El fútbol sigue empantanado de escándalos, y se sigue destapando el entramado de corrupción que Joseph Blatter y su combo armaron para hacerse millonarios a costa de la pasión que desata este deporte.

La corrupción continúa en la FIFA

Michel Platini, quien llegó a ser en su momento considerado uno de los mejores jugadores de fútbol del planeta, fue detenido por otro escándalo, esta vez relacionado con actos de corrupción en la escogencia de Catar como la sede del Mundial 2022.

¿Se imaginan a Cristiano Ronado o Lionel Messi involucrados en este tipo de prácticas? Así de bajo está cayendo el deporte mas popular del mundo.

Para algunos, estamos muy cerca de la fecha como para cambiar la sede del mundial de fútbol.

Yo siento que es el momento exacto para hacerlo, aunque solamente falte un poco mas de tres años. Catar no merece ser la sede de una Copa del Mundo.

Se está sentando un precedente muy peligroso, aceptando que un país que compró los derechos de la competición mas importante del planeta, se salga con las suyas a pesar de que ya se sabe que obró de una manera deleznable.

Los Estados Unidos o cualquier país de Europa podría ser la sede del mundial en 2022. Creo que esa es solo una excusa barata.

La FIFA, si quiere, puede cambiar esa sede esta misma semana, y obligar a la selección de Catar, que ahora está disputando la Copa América como invitada en Brasil, a que dispute las eliminatorias como el resto de los países.

Los gobernantes corruptos, y esa selección, se están beneficiando de todo el dinero que invirtieron en comprar los votos para ganarse el derecho de ser la sede.

El ejemplo que podría darse a los Catar del futuro

¿Qué mejor ejemplo que dejar a un país con los estadios construídos vacíos mientras el mundial se celebra en otra nación?

Catar construyó estadios espectaculares para albergar este mundial, y es un país en el que el fútbol está creciendo mucho.

De hecho, su selección es la actual campeona de Asia.

Sus jugadores no tienen la culpa, pero se debe dar un ejemplo a sus ejecutivos, y a los ejecutivos de todo el mundo del fútbol al rededor del mundo.

Dejarlos sin Copa, sin cupo al mundial (que jueguen eliminatorias como de costumbre), y con los estadios construídos y vacíos.

Ese debe ser el castigo, si es que la nueva administración de este ente quiere demostrar que de verdad van por un camino diferente.

Si no, será pura alharaca…

 

En Cinco Razones Podcast vamos a ampliar nuestra cobertura de fútbol con Octavio Sequera, Bruno Gómez y un nombre por ser anunciado, para hablar de mas fútbol europeo, sudamericano, y de nuestra MLS, esperando la llegada del Inter Miami. 

Marlins 2020 Schedule

Funny stories from the minor league bus rides

1,217 baseball players, both high school and college, heard their names selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. The glory of playing in the NCAA Tournament and College World Series will instantly be cashed in for a journey to the big leagues.

But that journey starts in the minor leagues, from the back fields in spring training facilities masquerading as a league to the various small towns in America to cites that look like they missed the cut.

Almost every matinee game ends with a long bus ride to the next venue. Those rides are the toughest part of the lifestyle but usually produce the best minor league stories.

“When you’re on the bus, you see all the crazy things guys try to do to find some sleep,” Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez said in 2018. “I’ve seen guys in the compartments up top lying there. I’ve seen guys with blankets trying to make a hammock. They take memory foams and put it on the ground. Basically guys are smart when it comes to finding their sleep.”

Batavia Muckdogs third baseman Andrew Turner recalled a time during extended spring training when one teammate, Kobie Taylor played a prank on Milton Smith during an hour long bus ride to Port St. Lucie.

“Kobie Taylor made a Craigslist ad in Milton’s name and phone number saying that he was selling a bulldog,” Turner said. “Cutest dog I’ve ever seen in the picture, said he was selling it for about $200 because his family is moving and he can’t keep it anymore. We get on the bus after the game with the Mets and Milton has about 30 missed calls and about 35 text messages all from people saying they want to buy his puppy and Milton had no idea what was going on. The night went on, he said he got 15-20 more calls and texts all throughout the night and the next day Kobie told him and took down the ad so that was pretty funny.”

The best part about that prank was that Smith in fact does not have a dog. Got to be careful about those Craigslist ads.

Marlins pitcher Ben Meyer, who reached the big leagues last season but opened this season in Triple-A New Orleans, recalled a funny result of a long bus ride in the Single-A circuit.

“We’re bussing up to Lakewood, New Jersey, after a game at Greensboro, North Carolina in Low A and we had a sleeper bus,” Meyer said. “So I was on the floor of the bus in a little bed to sleep in. We pulled into the hotel at probably 3 a.m., and I was so passed out that none of my teammates woke me up. I was still asleep and all of a sudden my phone was going off an hour later. ‘Hey! Where are you?’ I’m still sleeping on the bus. I didn’t know everyone got off. I was underneath some seats, it was kind of a weird setup. But I blame my teammate because they knew I was down there and they didn’t wake me up. Everyone was half asleep so they didn’t realize I was down there.”

And that was with a bus ride that went according to plan. What happens when the bus breaks down halfway through a trip in the middle of nowhere? New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit has that story from his time as a St. Louis Cardinals prospect in the Texas League.

“Our bus broke down in the middle of Arkansas,” Voit said last season, “and we had this church bus pick us up. We stayed at a church for three hours while we had to wait for another bus to come from Springfield to pick us up to take us another three hours. Our trainer went out and got us like 100 Taco Bell tacos and so we sat at this church for 3-4 hour eating Taco Bell and playing cards. We didn’t get back until 10:00 in the morning.”

The season’s still young so there are more funny minor league stories to tell.

Why it took the Marlins two drafts and two ownership groups to land Andrew Turner

The New York-Penn League season began on Friday. Much of the rosters are filled with players that were recently drafted and signed. Among the players that occupy a spot on the Batavia Muckdogs roster, only one had the distinction of being drafted by the Miami Marlins twice.

Andrew Turner was drafted by the Marlins both in 2017 and 2018. Both the current (Derek Jeter/Bruce Sherman) and previous ownership group (David Samson/Jeffery Loria) got a chance to shepherd him to their farm system. It was fitting that the brain trust that actually cared about the minor league system were the ones to land Turner.

Going into the 2017 MLB Draft, Turner had a good feeling that the Marlins would be there to select him after going through their workouts. He found out that he was taken in the 40th round while playing in the Cape Cod League.

He spent the moments prior to opening night monitoring the draft tracker waiting for his name to appear with one of the 30 MLB team logos, but to no avail. It wasn’t until he took the field that his named was called in the 40th round.

“Everyone in my dugout started yelling my name and I came in the dugout and my coach told me,” Turner said. “It was a dream come true. It was everything I worked for and for the next few days everyone was just expecting me to sign. I was getting ready to sign. I left the Cape Cod League because I was going to sign but it just didn’t sit right with me leaving LIU.”

Turner’s main reason behind declining to sign with the Marlins staying at LIU Brooklyn was because he felt that the Blackbirds were close to winning their first conference tournament championship in program history and wanted to be there for it. Despite being a school so small that, “people in Brooklyn themselves have never even heard of it,” has a NCAA Division I athletic program but a baseball team that hasn’t appeared in the postseason since 1972.

“It wasn’t a no,” Turner said, “it was more of I had to return to LIU. So as thankful as I was for the opportunity to go play for the Marlins, I couldn’t say no to LIU. The chance we had, the roommates, we’ve been through everything together and I wanted that chance to go and compete for our first ever championship.”

Turner’s vision came to reality as the Blackbirds defeated Wagner 8-5 in the 2018 Northeast Conference Championship Game. He finished his college career batting .300 with 14 home runs and 77 RBIs in 165 games. He slashed .346/.493/.531 during his senior year.

“It was cool being the first to ever do something with guys who you’ve been through so much with,” Turner said. “We were very bad my freshman and sophomore year at LIU. It was my third coaching staff we’ve been through. There was a lot of turnover, a lot of negativity so to overcome all that with the guys that I’ve been through so much with them and to be the first to ever do something was very cool.”

His performance all season earned him a draft upgrade of one round. The Marlins picked Turner for the second time but in the 39th round.

Turner felt that he was going to get drafted again but the fact that it was the Marlins once again was the shocker.

“I thought for sure that I was going to be another team,” Turner said. “More teams were on me my senior year because I’ve been drafted the previous year. I thought for sure maybe I burned a bridge or somebody else would pick me up sooner and sure enough it was the Marlins. So it did come full circle.”

Turner spent his first pro season with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, a rookie level squad that plays their plays in the backfields of spring training facilities. It may come as a surprise to anyone that this league actually exists. There’s no team website, only the league website, no marketing involved, no ticket prices, hell, no seats. I may sound great to be able to just walk in and watch a free game but it at times look like you’re not supposed to even be there, feeling more like a trespasser than a spectator. Now imagine how it must feel for the players who went from playing in the NCAA Tournament to that.

“I was playing in a regional in front of 6-7,000 people and in a week later you’re playing in front of seven people probably,” Turner said. “It’s very different, took some getting used to. I would say the biggest adjustment honestly was the heat, learning how to survive when bringing out two or three pairs of batting gloves, two or three different pairs of shirts just so you can stay dry on the field. But besides from all that it was good. I think it’s a fresh reminder that it’s not back to the drawing board but you’re back at the bottom and you got to work your way back up.”

In a sense, Turner and Marlins are on the same path. Both the prospect and the team are simultaneously working their way towards the top.

“Coming to the Marlins now, it’s very familiar,” Turner said, “It’s almost like we’re doing the exact same thing I did at LIU.”

 

Progreso de Alcántara y López encamina reconstrucción de los Marlins

Progreso.

Es lo mínimo que los fanáticos de los Marlins pedían de su equipo al comienzo de una temporada, en la cual se sabía que no sería de las más ganadoras en la historia de la franquicia.

Año dos de Derek Jeter al mando. Un período en el cual él mismo ha confesado que ha puesto a prueba su paciencia. La Pequeña Habana no es el Bronx; tal vez haya sido complicado aceptarlo desde el primer día que intercambió oficinas con David Samson.

No solo fue la adaptación geográfica de Jeter, sino el hecho de entender que el historial negativo de los Marlins lo perseguiría por mucho tiempo. El primer año estuvo plagado de polémica. “¿Vieron lo que hizo Christian Yelich? ¿Qué dijo Giancarlo Stanton sobre la postemporada? Eso no pasaba con Marcell Ozuna en los jardines. Estábamos a dos lanzadores, no hacía falta todo eso…”

Mejor pare usted de contar.

Pero esta tormenta está pasando, y con ella la exigencia irracional por ver incrementada la columna de victorias, en un equipo que no espera rendir esos frutos ahora.

El progreso en 2019 no se mide en victorias

El 2019 no sería evaluado por los triunfos. Estaba en los planes perder muchos encuentros, incluso volver a coquetear con la centena de reveses. Claro, sin llegar a ribetes históricos — llegó un momento en el que el equipo tenía una proyección de 122 derrotas en el año.

Pero el béisbol es muy noble. Es realmente difícil que un equipo pase una temporada completa sin tener al menos una racha positiva. Y los Marlins la tuvieron.

Llegó un momento que Miami era el equipo, junto a los Atléticos, más caliente en todo el béisbol. Un efímero período que pueden significar ciertos destellos del futuro, y no un simple período engranado por la casualidad.

El béisbol es un juego de pitcheo, dicen por ahí, y vaya que los Marlins se lo han tomado en serio. Esta reconstrucción está basada en los lanzadores; no es un secreto.

El progreso de Alcántara y López

Actualmente hay dos serpentineros que el aficionado común de los Marlins debe prestar atención especial. Sí, Caleb Smith, Trevor Richards y José Ureña han tenido sus momentos en esta zafra, pero son Sandy Alcántara y Pablo López quienes tienen la proyección de estar con este equipo por muchos años, hasta que la reconstrucción rinda sus frutos.

Es allí donde la palabra progreso entra en escena. Y no se refleja cuando Sandy está lanzando un blanqueo, o cuando Pablo tira siete tramos en blanco con un solo hit permitido. Sabemos que tienen el talento para hacer eso.

El progreso se evidencia, cuando están descontrolados en la loma, cuando un jonrón les cambia el panorama del juego, cuando no pueden sacar los outs. Cómo reaccionan a eso. A eso se le llama progreso.

Luego de la joya que lanzó en su primera apertura del año, Alcántara tuvo seis salidas que pudieron haber descarrilado a cualquiera. Acumuló récord de 2-5 con 6.25 de porcentaje de carreras limpias permitidas, con 23 boletos y 22 ponches en 36.0 tramos.

A partir de ahí, tiene cuatro aperturas en las que ha acumulado récord de 2-1, con 1.67 de efectividad (cinco carreras limpias en 27 tramos) con nueve ponches y 18 ponches. Progreso.

Ajustes = progreso

El 10 de mayo, López fue vapuleado con 10 carreras en solo 3.0 episodios ante los Mets.

Desde entonces, en cinco salidas, le han hecho seis carreras en 28.2 tramos, con 27 ponches y seis boletos, para una efectividad de 1.88. Incluidos siete episodios de un imparable ante el mismo equipo que ocho días antes lo había maltratado.

Nuevamente, progreso.

Si Sandy Alcántara y Pablo López lucen bien, no hace falta que vean la columna de victorias y derrotas, para saber que la reconstrucción va por buen camino.

Realmente, el nombre de este juego es pitcheo, y como dijo una fuente cercana del equipo, “Creo que estamos listos con los lanzadores. Tenemos un grupo élite”, dijo en estatus de anónimo. “Estamos mucho más cerca de lo que se piensa a nivel nacional”.

 

Por Ricardo Montes de Oca

 

Puedes escuchar los análisis de Ricardo Montes de Oca en este link de Cinco Razones Podcast junto a Alejandro Villegas y Leandro Soto. Nuestros enviados de cortesía al Marlins Park, para que se vea un poco mas lleno

Josh Rosen, taking a snap in minicamp, has a lot of work to catch up to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. (Craig Davis/Fivereasonssports.com)

Don’t rush to judgment on Dolphins’ position battles

The Dolphins’ offseason program has mercifully come to a close.

That means everyone can exhale and take a break from the breathless analysis of the quarterback contest between Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen.

This is a time of hyper scrutiny about everything in every aspect of public interest. And, yes, Dolphins coach Brian Flores did say, “Everything counts,” including how players performed play to play, day to day during the past four weeks of OTAs and minicamp.

But he also said the game and the team is fluid, and he’s not announcing a depth chart going into training camp.

Thus, there is no basis for any of us who have watched a handful of practices over the past four weeks to draw any definitive conclusions about the QB sweepstakes or other position battles.

How soon to play Rosen will be vital question of season

Somehow, we’re getting blow-by-blow critiques of confrontations between linemen before anyone has donned a pad.

Career disappointment DeVante Parker is being awarded gold stars as a June sensation.

Maybe the 2014 first-round pick has finally found his Zen as an NFL receiver. But let’s wait till fall, lest we’re left with fool’s gold again.

As for the quarterbacks, in spring ball Fitzpatrick did look like a seasoned veteran of 14 seasons and Rosen like a guy beginning his second season with his second team trying to find his way as a pro.

As is be expected.

Even Rosen was watching Fitzpatrick for clues, saying, “Whatever he does well, I’m trying to figure out why he did it and emulate it and continue to add my own flavor to it.”

What to watch in training camp

How that dynamic evolves beginning when camp opens in a couple of months will be the prime source of intrigue through the preseason, and it won’t necessarily end when the regular season starts.

We certainly don’t know how it’s going to play out based on these past few weeks when neither does Flores and his staff.

These sessions did whet my appetite for what training camp and exhibition games will reveal. Such as:

Will 2019 first-round pick Christian Wilkins establish himself quickly as an anchor of the defensive line?

Will third-rounder Michael Dieter look as at home as a potential starting guard when the pads go on as he did in shorts?

Will Mike Gesicki turn athleticism into production at tight end in his second season or does he still lack the physicality for the NFL?

Will anyone generate a pass rush?

Will linebackers Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan take significant steps in their second year as starters to elevate a suspect corps?

How will talented but raw rookie Preston Williams fit into a solid group of receivers.

But what I’m most interested in watching is what Flores and his staff accomplish with a roster that clearly is not deep in quality.

Reshad Jones can still help Dolphins defense, if they still want him

Like with the players, there is no basis to draw conclusions about the coaches based on offseason performance.

I do like qualities that Flores has shown. He is genuine and has a clear view of what he believes are the elements that go into building team success.

Coaching matters more in football than in the other team sports. We’ve seen how Bill Belichick maximizes personnel to win year after year in New England.

Can Flores bring that knack to Miami after years as a Belichick assistant? Now he’ll be measured not only against the master as a division rival but also against his Dolphins predecessor, Adam Gase, now with the Jets.

A question of coaching?

With that in mind, the biggest revelation from the offseason sessions was talented defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick talking about the difference for him so far in the Flores/Patrick Graham defensive scheme.

While Fitzpatrick will be used in multiple roles, as he was as a rookie, he said he never quite grasped the ever-changing plan for him last year under then-defensive coordinator Matt Burke, saying in a Miami Herald story, “It was kind of all over the place. It was sporadic.”

Not only are his duties more clearly defined now, he told the Herald that new D-coordinator Graham has shown him some tough love in video sessions:

“They showed me some of the good plays. Some of the things that I was doing well. Some of the things I’ve improved on. It really helped me. Because it’s humbling. They’re not going to lie to you. I love and appreciate it, because great coaches are not going to lie to players. I think it’s definitely good that they coach us like that.”

Who knows where those methods will lead? It will be something else to watch as the summer unfolds and the fall reveals whether a different staff can turn around last year’s historically poor defense and produce more consistent offensive results.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

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Ryan Fitzpatrick winning Dolphins’ QB competition means nothing

One of my favorite features on Twitter is being able to see some of the interesting news and hot takes that I missed from the day before. However, with the good comes the bad. And there was a LOT of bad after Miami’s second day of June mini-camps.

Yesterday, my timeline was littered with terrible takes regarding the Dolphins way-too-early quarterback competition. Some believe because Josh Rosen is not taking first team reps, that this makes him a bust, un-coachable and lost beyond return. To those people I say….

Image result for you are so dumb gif

I’ve been one of (if not) the biggest Rosen stans dating back to pre-draft 2018. At the time, I believed he was the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft. Furthermore, I believed him to have the skill-set and potential to be a franchise altering signal caller. Obviously, this did not happen in Arizona. And by many accounts, it has yet to happen (in the month) he’s been with his new team.

So why are so many people surprised? Why would we expect a 22-year old QB who just arrived in Miami a month ago, to beat out a 15-year veteran, who already had the inside track to the starting job? Why would we expect this to go any different? Worst of all, why are we so quick to discredit what Rosen has done all offseason?  After all, by most accounts he’s playing good football. The problem, however, is that Fitzpatrick is playing magical.

I don’t have the answer to any of these questions, but I do have a healthy alternative:

Image result for relax gif

Everyone needs to calm down.

Because whether or not you believe there should be a fair QB competition.  Or that Rosen should be handed the keys to Chad O’Shea’s Lamborghini it is still extremely early on in the offseason.  And between now and the time meaningful football is played – a lot will change.  That means that whether you believe it or not, Rosen could come back from this ‘down time’ firing on all cylinders.  It is possible that after several weeks with the playbook and time to work with the wide receivers, he proves that he is ‘the man’ in Miami.

And then again, maybe not.

If Fitzpatrick continues to play at the high level many saw during OTAs, he could be named the week 1 starter sooner rather than later.  Because whether or not we want to admit it.  A 36-year old QB with 15 years of NFL experience, clearly has an advantage over the younger player.  But don’t take anything away from Fitzpatrick.  He may have pin-balled from one team to another, without ever having a legit chance to be a starting quarterback.  For the first time in a long time, he has that opportunity.  And will likely do whatever it takes to ‘seize the moment’.

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding this quarterback competition and a lot of people want to speculate on how it’s going to end.  For instance, the national media takes every opportunity they can to make it seem as though the 22-year old QB has been dreadful this offseason.  They make it seem as though he’s being significantly outplayed by the older, more experienced veteran.  Personally, I can’t say one way or the other.  But several beat writers have stated that Rosen has played very well.  Unfortunately for him, #FitzMagic is playing that much better.

In the end, the 2019 season was supposed to be a wash.  No one expects the Dolphins to do much of anything.  And prior to the season, most fans were in full tank mode.  Sure, that may have changed drastically over the last several weeks.  But make no mistake about it, the 2019 Miami Dolphins are not going to be good.  Heck, they might be historically bad.  Or maybe, they fall into five or six wins and compromise any chance they had at drafting Tua Tagovailoa.  No one knows.  But what we do know, is that Brian Flores and his coaching staff are all about fairness and competition.  So like many other uncertainties to the roster and upcoming camp battles – the best man will play.

( Earlier this offseason, I did a film breakdown on both Dolphins’ quarterbacks.  Here is Ryan Fitzpatrick.  And here is Josh Rosen.  Enjoy! )

So why care that Fitzpatrick is the team’s starting quarterback at the conclusion of OTAs?  Truth is, we’ve seen how good Fitzpatrick can be in spurts.  We know that with the good, will eventually come the bad.  I just don’t think we’ll see enough of that player during training camp, to change the narrative of this QB competition.  And that’s okay.  Because at some point, the magic will wear off with #FitzMagic.

Looking over the schedule, maybe it’s better if the 15 year veteran begins the season as the #1.  Maybe it’s best, that he takes the beatings from Baltimore, New England, Los Angeles, and Dallas.  After all, the odds of Miami putting up a fight against four teams, that all made the playoffs in 2018, is very slim.  So let Fitzpatrick be the team’s starting quarterback heading into the season.  Let him take the abuse that those four teams will inevitable bestow upon the lowly Dolphins.  And then take the bye week to get Rosen ready.  Because those final 12 games will be his best chance he has, at proving to the organization that he is the future in Miami.

It has a been a long time since the Dolphins have had a legit quarterback competition.  And regardless of which quarterback you hitch your saddle to, the results this early in the offseason – means NOTHING.  These last few weeks of OTAs and mini-camps, have been nothing more than an amuse bouche.  The entree, is on it’s way.

This article was written by Josh Houtz (@houtz) he is a Dolphins’ fan that blindly supports Josh Rosen, because they share the same birth name or something like that.

 

Reshad Jones showed he was all about 'Team' on the first day of Dolphins minicamp. (Craig Davis)

Reshad Jones says he’s committed to Dolphins; are they committed to him?

DAVIE – Brian Flores was clearly grateful to avoid beginning the final week of offseason work with controversy surrounding the highest-paid player on the team.

Yes, Reshad Jones was in camp Tuesday and participated in the first of three days of the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp.

The two-time Pro Bowl safety had opted to skip the previous three weeks of OTAs and earlier voluntary offseason sessions.

Consider that a dead issue. Jones, coming off shoulder surgery in February, said he opted to train away from the team to get himself healthy and physically ready for the rigors of his 10th NFL season.

Jones dispelled any question about whether he is on board with the rebuilding Dolphins under the Flores regime and said he is not worried about rumors that he may be traded.

“I’m in great shape. I’m still one of the best safeties in this league, and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I’m here, I love the city, I love the fans, I love to be a part of the Dolphin organization.”

Where does Jones fit?

But intrigue remains concerning where the two-time Pro Bowl defender will fit into the scheme being concocted by the Dolphins’ first-year coach and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

And whether Jones will be fully invested in a role that may be different than he’s had in the past.

The memory remains from last season of Jones refusing to go back into the Jets game as part of a rotation plan rather than in his customary every-down routine.

Understandably, Flores said he isn’t concerning himself with what happened last year in Miami while he was directing a New England Patriots defense on the way to another Super Bowl title.

Indications are Flores wants to run much the same system with the Dolphins, and it will utilize a lot of different looks and players in multiple roles.

That likely explains why there are 18 defensive backs on the current roster, the largest of any position group.

The glut of safeties include J.J. McDonald and Minkah Fitzpatrick, as well as Bobby McCain, primarily a slot cornerback who worked at free safety in place of Jones during OTAs.

So does Jones return as the presumptive starter?

A week ago Flores made a point of saying, “I think everybody’s got to work to be a starter in this league, and on this team. … I would say there’s no sacred cow, not in this game.”

Flores downplayed that Tuesday, saying, “That wasn’t part of the conversation” he had with Jones.

“That’s not really a talking point when I’m one on one with a player,” he said. “The conversation was about coming in, learning the playbook, having good communication, working on your fundamentals and technique. Really, a conversation I have with every player.”

Where that conversation will lead with Jones won’t become clear this week. Before the team took the field Tuesday, Flores made a point of letting media members know that Jones wouldn’t be working exclusively with the first unit because they were running some exotic packages that he had needed to learn.

It is apparent that this defensive scheme will be more exotic than standard.

Plenty of DBs needed

In New England, Flores’ defense commonly utilized six defensive backs on the field in passing situations.

“It’s just a lot of movement, a lot of packages, guys paying different roles. Fast paced. It looks exciting,” Jones said. “I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Whether Jones is part of it when games start to count in September is uncertain.

There have been media reports that the Dolphins would prefer to trade Jones for a draft pick. That would make sense if the team is writing off this season and stockpiling future assets.

Jones is 31 and past the stage of being a long-term core player to build around.

He has a guaranteed salary of $13 million for 2019 with a cap hit of $17.3 million, which wouldn’t make him easy to trade.

But make no mistake, Reshad Jones remains a valuable asset that would enhance what Flores aims to accomplish defensively this season.

“I earned my respect in this league. I’ve done everything possible. I’ve been a two-time Pro Bowl safety, everything you can possibly imagine,” he said.

“I put the work in year in and year out and I’m here to help this team win football games.”

As far as finding his way into the exotic packages of Flores’ defense:

“I’m catching up pretty fast.”

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns

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