Major League Baseball

Despite 'sophomore jinx,' Marlins still happy with outfielders Yelich, Ozuna

Published Jun. 30, 2015 4:11 p.m. ET

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The Miami Marlins were expected to have one of the best outfields in baseball this season, but it hasn't quite panned out that way so far.

With slugger Giancarlo Stanton well established as one of the most productive hitters in the majors, pundits contended that with the emergence of center fielder Marcell Ozuna and left fielder Christian Yelich, the Marlins outfield would be be a run-producing machine.

However, Ozuna and Yelich have only driven in a combined 41 runs, while Stanton has driven in 67.

"To me, maybe it's more of a sophomore jinx," manager Dan Jennings told the Miami Herald. "They're growing into their own, and there's always going to be growing pains at the big-league level. Confidence wise, we believe in them, and I think you're starting to see some signs they're coming out of it."

Both players are in their second full season in the majors, and both showed flashes of impressive potential last season.

Ozuna showed power in 2014 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI, and Yelich displayed consistency with a .284/.362/.402 slash line.

However, Ozuna has only hit four home runs with 26 RBI this season, while Yelich's slash line has dipped to .248/.315/.341.

"I don't care if you're a Hall of Famer or not, the key to success at the big-league level is being able to make the adjustment to the adjustment, and these guys are young," outfield coach Brett Butler said of the two sub-25-year-olds. "When I was coming up, you spent five, six years in the minors. Now, they're rushed. So now they're learning how to do that up here. This is invaluable for them. It's only going to make them better all around."

While they've struggled at the plate this season, Butler says the two young outfielders have done well in the field.

"Defensively, they're playing fine," Butler said. "Their work habits are really good, and they want to be the best. I wouldn't trade any outfield in baseball for ours."

(h/t Miami Herald)