Ramirez to Bat Leadoff

[JJ]

The trade of slugger Miguel Cabrera might have suggested a lower spot in the batting order for Hanley Ramirez, but that won't happen anytime soon. Maybe not even this year.

Ramirez is coming off a strong 2007 season, when he hit .332 with 29 home runs and 81 RBI.

But, as it stands now, Ramirez will start the season in his usual leadoff spot, regardless of whether speedy prospect Cameron Maybin makes the team.

"We are going to leave him in that position," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think he's comfortable, and he likes it there. If we feel like we're struggling with that middle of the lineup, then we'll address it like we did last year."

Ramirez batted third in 39 games last year, batting .297 with six homers. But he hit .345 in 112 games batting first with eight homers to lead off games, a franchise record. He also stole 51 bases.

But even without Cabrera (.320, 34 HR, 119 RBI), the Marlins consider their lineup more potent with Ramirez at the top.

"Eventually he's going to be a third hitter, when he loses that step, but right now, he's too valuable for you leading off," hitting coach Jim Presley said.

"He sparks that offense. He can lead off the game with a home run, but also he can get on base and steal a couple of bags and put a couple of runs up for you, not just with his bat, but with his legs."

It didn't take long for Ramirez to prove Presley's point. Batting in the first inning of his first Grapefruit League game Feb. 28, Ramirez led off with a walk, stole second and third and scored when catcher Ramon Hernandez's throw sailed down the left-field line. Just like that, the Marlins led 1-0 without a hit.

The Marlins' opening-day lineup could resemble the team's batting order Tuesday in a 7-6 win over the Dodgers: Ramirez, second baseman Dan Uggla, right fielder Jeremy Hermida, left fielder Josh Willingham, first baseman Mike Jacobs, center fielder Cody Ross, third baseman Jose Castillo and catcher Mike Rabelo.

Although Hermida will hit third, the spot Cabrera hit most of last year, he said it will be up to the entire lineup to collectively replace Cabrera's production.

"Everybody has to pick up the slack," Hermida said earlier this spring. "You can't ask one guy to do it. You can't ask one guy to hit 30 homers and drive in 110 (runs) like Miggy does - that's a lot to ask from somebody. If everybody hits three or four more, you've got another 18 or 20 more home runs. That's the way you do it. It's got to be more of a group effort. We've got guys who can hit in the lineup. It wasn't just Miguel Cabrera."

Willingham said the team can look for other ways to replace the effect Cabrera had on the team, too.

"More than even hitting, we can make up with by playing collectively better defense, running the bases better and harder. Just playing better baseball games than just by trying to make up for 30 and 100 and 340," Willingham said.

Uggla, who hit 31 homers in 2007 mostly batting second, could get moved lower in the order later in the season.

"We'll see how it plays out, and what the offense needs from the middle of the lineup," Gonzalez said.

Palm Beach Bost