Baseball Guru
02-06-2002, 11:42 AM
Associated Press
Atlanta -- Jason Marquis is no longer confused about his role with the Braves. The hard-throwing right-hander earned his way onto a starting rotation that includes Cy Young Award winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.
Marquis, who opened his rookie season a year ago in the bullpen, became the fifth starter in the rotation after midseason last year. He was among about a dozen players reporting Monday for "Camp Leo," a pre-spring training conditioning camp held each year by pitching coach Leo Mazzone.
"Last year I came in not knowing what was going on. I was just fighting for a spot on the team," he said before throwing indoors at one of the batting cages inside Turner Field.
When spring training opens next week, Marquis will likely open as the No. 4 starter behind Maddux, Glavine and Kevin Millwood. Free agent signee Albie Lopez is slated for the fifth spot.
"This year, hopefully I'll be a big part of the rotation," said the 23-year-old Marquis, whose fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s.
"Jason pitched great last year," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "You've got to like what he did last year."
Cox said he expects Marquis, who will be in only his second full season in the majors, to win 10 to 15 games.
Marquis was 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA last season in 38 games. After working mostly in relief for the first half of 2001, he made 12 of his 16 starts beginning early in July.
"I've always had a starter's frame of mind and when I got the opportunity to start, my confidence grew and I felt like I belonged," said the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder.
"He really pitched good in all of his starts," Cox said. "He's a great athlete. He can field, keeps runners close, can run and hit. He's a winner."
Marquis pitched briefly for the Braves in 2000. He was 1-0 with a 5.01 ERA in 23 innings. His best season in the minors was in 1997 when he was 14-10 with Class A Macon.
Of the 16 pitchers expected at the camp, 11 showed up Monday. In addition to Marquis, the others on the 40-man roster were Mike Remlinger, Jung Bong, Damian Moss, Scott Sobkowiak, Tim Spooneybarger and Billy Sylvester. Non-roster invitees to spring training included Matt Belisle, Darren Holmes, Dan Wheeler and Chris Hammond. The others -- Glavine, Lopez, Millwood, John Smoltz and Kerry Ligtenberg are expected Tuesday.
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 14. Five days later the rest of the squad reports.
Atlanta -- Jason Marquis is no longer confused about his role with the Braves. The hard-throwing right-hander earned his way onto a starting rotation that includes Cy Young Award winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.
Marquis, who opened his rookie season a year ago in the bullpen, became the fifth starter in the rotation after midseason last year. He was among about a dozen players reporting Monday for "Camp Leo," a pre-spring training conditioning camp held each year by pitching coach Leo Mazzone.
"Last year I came in not knowing what was going on. I was just fighting for a spot on the team," he said before throwing indoors at one of the batting cages inside Turner Field.
When spring training opens next week, Marquis will likely open as the No. 4 starter behind Maddux, Glavine and Kevin Millwood. Free agent signee Albie Lopez is slated for the fifth spot.
"This year, hopefully I'll be a big part of the rotation," said the 23-year-old Marquis, whose fastball has been clocked in the mid-90s.
"Jason pitched great last year," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "You've got to like what he did last year."
Cox said he expects Marquis, who will be in only his second full season in the majors, to win 10 to 15 games.
Marquis was 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA last season in 38 games. After working mostly in relief for the first half of 2001, he made 12 of his 16 starts beginning early in July.
"I've always had a starter's frame of mind and when I got the opportunity to start, my confidence grew and I felt like I belonged," said the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder.
"He really pitched good in all of his starts," Cox said. "He's a great athlete. He can field, keeps runners close, can run and hit. He's a winner."
Marquis pitched briefly for the Braves in 2000. He was 1-0 with a 5.01 ERA in 23 innings. His best season in the minors was in 1997 when he was 14-10 with Class A Macon.
Of the 16 pitchers expected at the camp, 11 showed up Monday. In addition to Marquis, the others on the 40-man roster were Mike Remlinger, Jung Bong, Damian Moss, Scott Sobkowiak, Tim Spooneybarger and Billy Sylvester. Non-roster invitees to spring training included Matt Belisle, Darren Holmes, Dan Wheeler and Chris Hammond. The others -- Glavine, Lopez, Millwood, John Smoltz and Kerry Ligtenberg are expected Tuesday.
Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 14. Five days later the rest of the squad reports.