Miami Palms Blog

After last season's playoff run, expectations were high for Miami in their season and home opener against Oakland. The problem for the Palms was control, as they walked 5 Athletics. They also didn't have enough pop at the plate, as Tony Abreu was the only player with an extra base knock for Miami, getting a double and a triple, while also driving in the first run of the season for the Palms. The two teams go again tomorrow night with Blake Johnston making his season debut.  Oakland A's 4, Miami Palms 2  Monday, March 31, 2014  Oakland A's (1-0)                                        Miami Palms (0-1)                              ...

Carlos Ruiz came to the Palms in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, and promptly anchored the front end of the lineup and helped the pitching staff out perform even the wildest expectations. He hit .313 with 24 home runs, while drawing a team leading 64 walks. His veteran leadership and reliable bat will be important as Miami's season begins in Oakland this evening.

Oliver Perez has experienced something of a career renaissance upon arriving in Seattle in 2012. After missing 2011 after a rough tenure with the Mets as a starter, he moved to the bullpen where he started to excel in a more limited role. His ERA was a little higher with more use in 2013, but the Palms hope the positive trend continues, and Perez provides a steady veteran influence in Miami.

Manny Parra had his best season with the Palms and perhaps the best season of his career in 2013. He joined the Miami Palms in 2009 as a starter, but after the departure of Buddy Carlyle, he was relegated to the role of closer. He had 64 saves in 2011-12 combined, and then last year alone, a switch turned, his ERA dropped to 2.20, and he had 54 saves, a dramatic change in his performance to that ate. If this continues, if this is really a change n his performance and not a one season blip, then the back end of Miami's bullpen will be quite secure in 2014.

The second of two rookies in the bullpen, Otterloop uses good motion and a limited pitch selection to induce ground balls and strikeouts. Will it translate to the major leagues? Only time will tell, but he has proven himself at the lower levels, and now it is time for him to seize an opportunity.

Troy Munoz is in his 8th year with the Palms now. He was brilliant in his early career, but has seen an alarming drop in his strikeout rate, essentially becoming more hittable through his career. He still managed a 13-9 record in 2013 despite his dwindling repertoire, and his veteran stability is greatly appreciated. Still, he needs to reclaim some of what has made him great through his career if he wants to be effective in 2014: Control and a good groundball rate.

Joe Mather came to the Palms to be a 4th outfielder and to provide a little relief for an excellent defense. He didn't provide a lot with the bat, and his playing time was kept in check, and likely will be again in 2014. If there was one surprise from Mather, it was the pop he provided at the plate, hitting 5 home runs in just 75 at bats. He projects to be a bench bat again for 2014.

Nick Markakis had a breakout season for the Palms in 2013. He hit . 331 with 39 doubles and 23 home runs. His 50 walks on top of his 200 hits led to an on base percentage of a whopping . 381, which was third on the team. He adds more value by being a gold glove outfielder as well. Nick Markakis came to Miami from divisional rival Baltimore, which makes his presence on the team all the more rewarding. He will continue to be a valuable member of the team, right in the heart of the order for 2014.