Reid Brignac finds similarities between 2008-12 Rays and 2015 Marlins
JUPITER, Fla. -- Reid Brignac catches flashbacks every now and then when he looks around the Miami Marlins clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium.
Eleven years ago, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Brignac in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft. In 2006, Evan Longoria got chosen in the first. A summer later, it was David Price.
By 2008, the organization's top prospects took the perennial American League East cellar dwellers to the World Series. Over the next four seasons, the Rays would go to the playoffs three times.
When Brignac signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins this winter, he saw plenty of similarities between his days with the Rays from 2008-12 and the club he is trying to make as a non-roster invitee.
"Built that chemistry together and I feel like that played a big part in why we were successful in Tampa," Brignac said. "Having five really good starting pitchers didn't hurt at all. I compare this team a lot to the 2010 team where we won the AL East and did well in the playoffs. A lot of similar characteristics."
Marlins outfielders Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, for example, played together in the minor leagues from Single-A Greensboro, Single-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville. So did All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton and right-hander Tom Koehler with the Hammerheads in 2009.
Developing homegrown talent and witnessing prospects go up the ranks together is something noteworthy teams have had the fortune of experiencing.
Brignac cited the 1990s New York Yankees as well as the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals of the 2000s. The Boston Red Sox brought over David Ortiz from Minnesota to complement guys like Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury. The 2014 Kansas City Royals boasted an impressive list.
"Those core guys that were in the trenches each and every day for years," Brignac said. "Those guys probably came up through the minor leagues together."
As a member of Double-A Montgomery, Brignac won back-to-back titles from 2006-07. Triple-A Durham notched the division title in 2008. Players on those squads included Brignac, Longoria and righty Jeff Niemann.
This culture of success carried over to the big leagues. After winning at each stop, it became even more satisfying when they achieved at the highest level.
Just this weekend, Miami's Double-A team, the Jacksonville Suns, received their rings for the 2014 Southern League championship. A few of them were invited to big-league camp for a taste at major-league competition. From 2009-10, the Suns also took the titles. Prospects those years included Stanton, Koehler, closer Steve Cishek and lefty Brad Hand.
"We were successful in the minor leagues, so when we got to the big leagues we didn't expect it to be any different," Brignac said. "We expected to win. I think these guys expect to win. They've had good teams. That builds team chemistry and character. Guys go to war with each other every day. It's not individuals worried about money or contract extensions or any of that. It's a bunch of brothers out there just having fun and competing trying to win every game they play. I've gotten that vibe since I've been here."
It's a message Brignac hasn't needed to directly relay to the younger players like Dee Gordon, Yelich and Ozuna, whose lockers are conveniently located close to his, only because they understand it already.
It's an organization-wide message -- from the "Team First" workout shirts to social media posts. Brignac can tell the guys care about each other. Perhaps the 100-loss season of 2013 brought them closer.
It's a message of possibilities, of what this team can "accomplish should it stick together and have each other's back."
"For us in Tampa when we went and ate dinner there were three pitchers, two outfielders, a catcher and three infielders. Like eight or nine guys," Brignac said. "It wasn't just the pitchers or infielders hanging out. It was everybody. I would go eat with (Matt) Garza and (James) Shields and B.J. (Upton) different days and (Evan) Longoria. It was never cliques. Everybody clicked. This team has that same opportunity by the way the pieces they've brought in here."
Now 29, Brignac finds the setting in Jupiter a good one to reinvigorate his career. Since being designated for assignment by the Rays in 2013, he has had two stints with the Colorado Rockies and has been part of a trade to the New York Yankees. The Philadelphia Phillie designated him in August.
Brignac is hitting .333 with a triple and six RBI in 15 Grapefruit League games. Over parts of seven seasons in the majors from 2008-14, Brignac has batted .222 with 34 doubles, 12 homers and 83 RBI in 339 games.
Once a top prospect, Brignac hopes to nab a bench role with the Marlins. He has come full circle witnessing what could be the beginnings of big-league success for the young Marlins.
"I'm very thankful for my opportunity here," Brignac said. "I'm very happy that I chose to come to Jupiter and have spring training here with this group of guys. They have something special here and I want to be a part of it. That was a big reason why I chose to come here. Obviously the opportunity was a good opportunity for me to come and make this ballclub, but also the caliber of guys that they have and the talent they have was real exciting to be a part of."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
