MASN’s Roch Kubatko reported last night that Izturis has appendicitis and would have surgery.

http://masnsports.com/2009/06/izturis-update-2.html

While I am sorry for Izturis and what this does to his season; I am excited for the opportunity this provides Andino.

Izturis is a steady SS, with a strong arm, that makes most the regularly play with consistency.

He is also 29 years-old, with a .298 career on-base % in over 3,300 Major League at-bats.

He is not a good enough defensive SS to make up for that complete lack of offense.

Robert Andino is 25 years-old, and watching him on an everyday basis should be interesting.

In 2007, in the PCL (AAA) as a 23 year-old, Andino had 598 at-bats, 25 doubles, 13 triples, 13 homers, 50 rbi, 21 steals, and a .750 OPS.

In 2008, in the PCL as a 24 year-old, Andino had 181 at-bats, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, 26 rbi, 8 steals, and a .853 OPS.

Those numbers are a bit inflated by playing in the PCL, but there is some promise there. Enough that you can probably project him to match Izturis’s offensive production at a minimum.

If Andino can match Izturis’s offensive production, and be somewhat similar defensively, that is a plus – because Andino is younger, and cheaper.

At different times, Baseball America had ranked Andino has having the best infield-arm, and the best infield defensive prospect overall, in the Marlins organization.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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