JUPITER, Fla. -- The Miami Marlins used 13 starting pitchers during the 2014 season, in large part because of Jose Fernandez's injury. The club had trouble finding a starter to go on that fifth day.
While third baseman Martin Prado was the first name listed in the offseason trade with the New York Yankees, right-hander David Phelps could end up being just as pivotal to Miami in 2015. He provides flexibility to the pitching staff out of either the rotation or bullpen.
Phelps, who was taken in the 14th round by the New York Yankees in the 2008 draft, throws a fastball, cutter, changeup and curveball. The 28-year-old righty is 15-14 with a 4.21 ERA in 87 games (40 starts) in three big-league seasons with the Yankees. He also isn't a free agent until 2019.
In two spring outings (one start), Phelps has given up a run on three hits in five innings for a 1-0 record and 1.90 ERA. He has struck out two batters and walked one.
FOX Sports Florida spoke to Phelps about learning from Yankees legends, visiting Miami and being the less famous "David Phelps" ...
FOX SPORTS FLORIDA: What was the best experience or the biggest thing you learned from going to college (at Notre Dame) and playing baseball that way?
DAVID PHELPS: I grew up not only as a baseball player but as a person. If I had gone professional out of high school, I wouldn't have been ready. Just the lifestyle, the baseball itself. I learned a lot about myself about what I could do and couldn't do on the field and learned what kind of person I wanted to be off the field more than anything.
FSF: You were a political science major and computer ...
PHELPS: Applications. I wanted to go to law school if I didn't play baseball. I had no idea what type.
FSF: What movie lawyer would you be?
PHELPS: Tom Cruise from 'A Few Good Men.' One hundred percent. That, and there's a movie called 'Sleepers' that made me want to be a lawyer as well.
FSF: At one point did you play in the Cape Cod League in Falmouth?
PHELPS: Aaron (Crow) and Preston Claiborne were on my team as well.
FSF: Fun fact, that's where Steve (Cishek) is from!
PHELPS: Steve actually knows my host family. It's a small world.
FSF: What was it like pitching at Yankee Stadium and wearing the pinstripes?
PHELPS: It was awesome. You think about the people that have worn that uniform and the guys that have come and gone in that clubhouse. It's not something you take lightly. I learned a lot about how to carry yourself on the field and how to represent an organization. I was fortunate enough to play with guys like Derek (Jeter) and Andy (Pettitte) and (Mariano Rivera) and learn what it means to be a professional and what it means to wear the pinstripes and carry yourself. It's something I don't take lightly.
FSF: You're from the St. Louis area. Going to New York and now going to Miami, it's got to be a little bit of a transition for a Midwest boy to the big cities?
PHELPS: (laughs) I love New York City. It takes some getting used to, though. It's a little bit more fast paced than where I generally lived my life. It's exciting. There's always something going on. Miami's a whole new world from what we're used to. My wife and I are excited to go explore.
FSF: Was your first time visiting at Winter Warm-Up?
PHELPS: Well, we flew out of Miami for our honeymoon, but it was strictly to the airport. (Winter Warm-Up) was our first time we had been to Miami. We are as green as it comes when it comes to Miami.
FSF: What do you know of Miami? What's your touristy, stereotypical view of Miami
PHELPS: From what I hear it's the New York of the South, so we're excited.
FSF: You've started and done relief roles. Do you approach them differently or the same?
PHELPS: I don't. I'm not a guy that if I pitch out of the bullpen -- I don't throw any harder than I do when I'm a starter. I really take it the same way. I've got to use all my pitches and get ahead of guys and just attack guys. I can't afford to fall behind in the count and stuff like that. I really don't try to change the way I pitch based on my role.
FSF: I believe Notre Dame's bio described you as having a bulldog mentality. What are the benefits of it?
PHELPS: I'm not one of those guys that keeps my emotions hidden very well on the mound. If it's a big situation and I get an out, I'm pretty fired up. You'll know if I'm mad at myself, but I'm a guy that's going to go out there and give it everything I have every time I'm out there. Hopefully it goes over well with teammates. I'm out there trying to give everything I can for them. I'd rather be that way than a guy who sits back and holds off.
FSF: I type in David Phelps and the first thing ...
PHELPS: Christian singer!
FSF: Right?
PHELPS: I was actually talking about this this offseason with one of the guys I work out with. I can't even google myself without typing in 'baseball.' 'What do you mean?' 'There's a David Phelps that's far more popular.' My brother's got it way worse than I did. He played in the Cubs organization and his name's 'Michael Phelps.' I get that question. I went to Notre Dame, and Digger Phelps is the traditional basketball coach there. A lot of Phelpses out there.
FSF: Never met the other David Phelps, though, have you?
PHELPS: No, I have not.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
