Fish Eye On: Alejandro de Aza

Like most Marlin fans, you might be scratching your head (or wearing a paper bag) over what the Marlins are going to do about their center field needs. Clearly we have to field 9 players - I know some of you, like me, are asking do we really have to play 9 players?

Um yeah, we do.

So, with that positive attitude and in the spirit of confusion that can only be replicated by a coyote on PCP and you wearing a steak t-shirt, who the h*ll is Alejandro de Aza?

Well, he is quietly becoming quite a prospect for the Marlins, and at just the right time.

He was acquired in the rule 5 draft from the Dodgers back in 2004. He is 22 and is an athletic and speedy fielder with a quick bat. He plates from the left side and throws lefty as well. If he seems eerily familiar it is because he might remind you of another speedy, lefty CFer from days of yore - Juan Pierre.

The speedy Dominican stole 27 bases out of 37 attempts last season at AA Carolina. He also batted a solid .278 with a .346 OBP. He strikes out some with 64 hits in 230 ABs, but also K'ing 46 times.

Yet, despite was seems like average stats, de Aza is turning heads and making an impression.

"It seems like good things happen when he gets in the game," Fredi Gonzalez said.

Don't expect de Aza to make the Marlins out of camp. The CF spot is being tightly contested, and both Reed and Abercrombie are staking claims as are Amezaga and newly acquired Alex Sanchez. Cody Ross and Joe Borchard also remain options, too. But if he keeps performing like he is in spring training, 6 for 18 with 3 stolen bases, it might not be long until we see de Aza running around the base paths for the Marlins.