This isn't the way the Marlins would have liked to announce that their top prospect still in the minors would be making his debut, but nonetheless Logan Morrison will be joining the major league club to take the roster spot vacated by Chris Coghlan, who injured his knee while celebrating on Monday, reports Janie McCauley of the Miami Herald.
Morrison, a natural first baseman, has played some left field this year as the team attempts to get both him and rookie of the year candidate Gaby Sanchez into the lineup at the same time. Morrison has not displayed the traditional home run power this year that is normally attributed to a first baseman or corner outfielder (although he did hit 24 home runs in 2007 in A-ball), but his .914 OPS in Triple-A is the highest of his career at any level where he has spent significant time. Morrison's best tools are his defense at first base, which will go to waste for the time being as he will split time in left field with Emilio Bonifacio, says Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, and his outstanding eye at the plate - Morrison has walked more times than he has struck out in both Double and Triple-A.
Just how much playing time Morrison loses to Bonifacio should depend on how is defensive abilities play out in left field, as that is the only area where Bonifacio has an advantage. Given Bonifacio's career .302 OBP and complete lack of power, he would have to be significantly better in the field than Morrison in order to make up for what should be a large difference in offensive production. Ultimately, Morrison should hit his way into the Marlins' lineup on a regular basis, and only a devastatingly slow start could prevent this from happening.
