In flashes, Cameron Maybin showed throughout Spring Training why he is regarded as being a future All-Star.
Yet, the youthful inexperience of the 20-year-old also showed in camp and that is why the Marlins on Monday afternoon optioned the speedy outfielder to Double-A Carolina.
"We still see him as the center fielder of the future," said Larry Beinfest, Marlins president of baseball operations. "It's not going to be on Opening Day. He still needs to refine a few things. He probably needs additional Minor League at-bats to work through those things, and hopefully he will be our center fielder for a long time."
A rare talent who possesses great speed and power potential, Maybin's biggest liability is the fact that he has just 69 at-bats above the Class A level. In Spring Training, he appeared in 16 games and had 42 at-bats.
His ability to hit offspeed pitches especially is something that he will focus on now that he will open the season in Zebulon, N.C. In Grapefruit League play, his batting average was .190 after he went 0-for-5 in a 10-10 tie with the Astros on Monday.
The Marlins acquired Maybin and five other young players from the Tigers in December in the trade that sent Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Detroit.
A year ago, Maybin saw action in 24 games with the Tigers, and he had 49 total at-bats, while finishing with a .143 batting average.
With Maybin optioned to Double-A, the Marlins center-field position is down to Cody Ross and Alejandro De Aza. The Marlins also may start using versatile Alfredo Amezaga, who primarily has played backup middle infield in Spring Training, more at center field with Opening Day a week away.
Because Ross hits left-handed pitching so well, he has the inside edge to be in the Opening Day lineup on March 31 against left-hander Johan Santana of the Mets.
De Aza is a left-handed hitter, and Amezaga switch-hits, but is far better batting from the left side.
For Maybin, going to the Carolina Mudcats means he will be about two hours away from his home in Asheville, N.C.
"It's another step you've got to take to work on stuff and get back," Maybin said. "I think for the most part I did what I wanted to. That was to have fun and compete. I was here for a good amount [of time] and I think they saw some things that they like. They saw a bunch of things that I can do, to go to Double-A and keep doing what I do."
Another thing that set Maybin back was a mild left hamstring pull on Feb. 29. It caused him to miss about a week, and that may have hurt his chances of winning the starting job.
"He just didn't get the necessary time to win that job, and really get that going," Beinfest said. "He hasn't played a lot in Double-A as it is."
A year ago, Maybin played in six games and had 20 at-bats at Double-A Erie in the Tigers system.
"There isn't a doubt in my mind that I [will] be back," Maybin said. "I'm going to go down there and take things seriously. I'll take it as a step. There are things I need to work on, offensively, defensively. There are some things I've got to get working on."
