Marlins' Prado establishes leadership role with performance, personality
MIAMI -- Finding a C emblazoned on a ballplayer's jersey is a rare sight compared to other team sports. Baseball treats that leader as such in an honorary capacity.
During the second half of the season, the Miami Marlins have embodied the characteristics and personality of their inspiring figure -- third baseman Martin Prado.
The subtle signs come in the form of both words and actions.
When Prado enters the clubhouse, he greets each teammate with a handshake. A 10-year veteran of the big leagues, he exudes professionalism. His sterling reputation is known around the majors. Just ask future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones.
"It's not a ritual," Prado said. "I spent 7-8 months of my life, of my year, with the same guys. Maybe different guys. When I go home, I say hi to everybody in my house. If you go home and don't say hi to five people who live in your house, something's wrong with you. This is our house, this is our environment, this is our space. I'm trying to be the same person here the way I'm at home."
After the Marlins record three outs in an inning, the player with the ball gets it to Prado who throws it into the stands -- a souvenir for a fan of any age.
Before Miguel Rojas came to the plate for an at-bat during Sunday's 9-5 win over the Braves, cameras caught Prado talking with the young infielder.
In postgame interviews, manager Dan Jennings notes the "tremendous effort and focus" with guys "playing the game the right way." Minutes later, Prado provides those reasons as to the club's growth over the final month, posting a 17-8 record -- best in Major League Baseball since Aug. 31.
His example of professionalism in the big leagues, how to conduct one's self and handle the everyday grind, has already paid dividends with a roster trying to develop through the growing pains.
"If you struggle you got guys playing for jobs next year, too," said right-hander Tom Koehler, who started Sunday's game. "You want to go out and put the best performance you can out there. For how tough the season was you don't want to finish and lose the whole month and quit. It just shows that nobody is a quitter and everybody is willing to fight 'til the end even if we're just playing games to play them."
Miami's success correlates with Prado's resurgence.
Over his last 27 games, Prado is batting .370 with six doubles, four homers and 23 RBI. He has reached base safely in all but three of his last 46 contests. Prado has 19 multi-hit games since the All-Star break after just 16 in the first half.
His .975 fielding percentage leads all National League third basemen. Sunday's web gem with Justin Bour showcased his ability and range.
But a right shoulder sprain put Prado on the disabled list for a month this summer. Though he wouldn't admit to it, the injury likely affected his swing a bit longer when he returned to the diamond.
"If you put me in the same spot in the beginning of the year I wouldn't be the same guy," Prado said. "It depends being at the right time, being in a good spot and, fortunately for me, after the second half, I started to be myself and not worry about impressing everybody around (me). I'm more just like me. This is me nine years ago, with a little more confidence."
Due to a multitude of factors, the underachieving Marlins have been playing for pride and little else over the past month or so. With lower stakes, the ballclub has played loose and with little pressure. A once uptight clubhouse has become fun again. Of course, winning does that.
During this time of year, no one is playing at 100 percent. It's the nature of a sport whose schedule goes for eight months. Prado has been fighting through a wrist sprain and has led by example.
"When I came here -- all my career -- it doesn't matter where I'm at or where the team's at," Prado said. "I let everybody know here if I'm healthy and I can go out there I'm all in. It doesn't matter where we're at. The way I said it a couple weeks ago we're building something here. The group of guys is unbelievable right now. It's a good feeling, a good atmosphere, a good chemistry, and good teams got that kind of feeling. They got a great group of guys and everybody knows what they have to do to perform as a team and not individually. When we think like that we think 25 guys we do a lot of good stuff."
Though Prado shrugged off the notion of being considered the captain, calling it too much responsibility, he has acted as one.
While the on-field production offers concrete evidence of his effect, his intangibles will have a longer impact. He is part of what the Marlins continue to emphasize -- creating a culture that molds these young ballplayers in a positive way. The talent is there. The belief, experience and will need nurturing.
"First and foremost he's established himself as the leader," Jennings said. "To do what he's been able to do on the field -- some guys have a knack for being clutch. He's a clutch ballplayer. He's a winning ballplayer. He has a routine that he goes through every day. ... It's easy to love what he brings inside and he's so respected by not only the staff, but the players.
"He goes out there every day looking to win and he brings that and he's created that feeling amongst these players. I just tip my hat. In my 30 years he's as much of a winning ballplayer as I've ever been around. He's fun to watch. Every game he keeps guys up, he's energy and you just can't say enough positive about what Martin Prado is as a ballplayer and as a person. It would be easy to put 'captain' on his chest because he's certainly become that."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
