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Matter All About: Alejandro De Aza

In honor of making the big club, I decided to dedicate the first 2007 Florida Marlins Matter All About to Alejandro De Aza. Most of you by now probably heard the news that De Aza has been given the chance to start in centerfield this season for the Florida Marlins. Alejandro is an intriguing 22-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic. Another lefty batter, De Aza can play all three outfield spots, and he is batting over .330 in Spring Training. De Aza was considered a dark horse from the beginning to win the centerfield job, with Alex Sanchez and Eric Reid being the favorites.

Alejandro De Aza #68 of the Florida Marlins hits against the Boston Red Sox during a Spring Training game on March 6, 2007 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. The Red Sox defeated the Marlins 14-6. (Photo by Victor Baldizon/Getty Images)

2006 Quick Stats

AVG .278 | HR 2 | RBI 16 | OBP .346 | SLG .374
(Stats listed are batting average and OPS from Double-A Carolina)

Short Bio

De Aza played 69 games at Double-A Carolina last season, and now the speedy Dominican Republic native will be the lone rookie on the Marlins’ starting opening day roster. De Aza will turn 23 April 11, but he boasts a career minor-league OPS of .720 in five season. Not exactly prospect-type numbers. Despite a lack of power, he has has averaged almost 24 steals a season.

Noteworthy Articles

Marlins name De Aza starting center fielder
De Aza dazzling Marlins this spring
MARLINS NOTEBOOK: De Aza making strong case

Multimedia

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Joe Frisario on De Aza
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Quotable

”I don’t think he knew what was going on,” Gonzalez said. “He probably thought he was going to be the first guy [cut]. I closed the door. It was just me and him. I let him know right away. I didn’t want it to linger because he was nervous.” When he got the news, De Aza raised his arms.

”That was the easy one this morning,” Gonzalez said.

De Aza said he immediately called home to the Dominican to break the good news to his mother.

‘She just went `Wow,’ ” he said. “It’s a big dream.”

Should be a fun season watching De Aza go through his ups and downs this year with the Fish. Stay tuned as SporTech will be continuing the Matter All About series into the regular season.

GO FISH!!!