2001 Record: 76-86, 4th in NL East 2001 Results | 2002 Schedule | 2002 Roster | 2001 Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 742 runs (10th) Home: 379 runs (6th) Road: 363 (13th) 744 runs allowed (tied for 7th) Home: 3.74 ERA (4th) Road: 4.93 ERA (12th) 2001 Stats Leaders   Average: Cliff Floyd, .317 Runs: Floyd, 123 On-base pct: Floyd, .390 Stolen bases: Luis Castillo, 33 Wins: Ryan Dempster, 15 Saves: Antonio Alfonseca, 28 Home runs: Floyd, 31 RBI: Floyd, 103 Slugging pct.: Floyd, .578 OPS: Floyd, 968 ERA: Brad Penny, 3.69 Strikeouts: Dempster, 171

ESPN's Take Q: Can the Marlins' young rotation go from being a staff of potential to a staff of production? It's too tall an order to ask the entire Marlins staff to take a big leap forward -- some of their kids just aren't ready. Their staff can call itself successful if three of their guys step up and have better years than they had last year. If only two of them step up, and if -- as a staff -- they can stop walking so many people, they can call this season a success. Ryan Dempster, A.J. Burnett and Matt Clement have great arms -- they just walk too darn many hitters. -- Dave Campbell  Jayson Stark's Crystal Ball Josh Beckett will become the first National League rookie with an ERA under 2.00 since Jeff Pfeffer in 1914. On a team with a pair of potential 30-30 outfielders, Kevin Millar has had to fight for at-bats in the past. Now coming off a breakout season, the Marlins figure he could be a 30-100 guy who hits cleanup. With all the talk of upstart fireballer Josh Beckett, it's a good time to get Brad Penny for cheap. Two other Marlins won more games, but no starting pitcher had a better ratio of walks to strikeouts. -- Eric Karabell Batting order Luis Castillo, 2B Preston Wilson, CF Cliff Floyd, LF Kevin Millar, RF Mike Lowell, 3B Derrek Lee, 1B Charles Johnson, C Alex Gonzalez, SS Bench Eric Owens, Andy Fox, Nate Rolison, Abraham Nunez, Mike Redmond Rotation Brad Penny, Ryan Dempster, A.J. Burnett, Josh Beckett, Julian Tavarez Bullpen Braden Looper, Vladimir Nunez, Armando Almanza, Vic Darensbourg, Blaine Neal Adrian Gonzalez, 1B First-overall pick in the 2000 draft tore it up in Class A last season, hitting .312 with 17 homers and 103 RBI. Could reach big leagues by as early as 2003.

Catcher: Charles Johnson One of the better, if not the best, defensive catchers in all of baseball, both as a receiver and as a thrower. Offensive numbers dropped off in a big way in the second half as he hit just .226 with two homers and 19 RBI in 195 at-bats after the break. Thumb injury suffered in spring is something to watch. NL Position Ranking: 3rd First Base: Derrek Lee Has continued to progress over the last two years to the point where he's beginning to live up to his hype. Had a superb second half last season, hitting .317 after the break. NL Position Ranking: 10th Second Base: Luis Castillo Offensive numbers dropped off significantly last season from 2000 (.334 BA and .418 OBP in 2000 compared to .263 and .344 in 2001), but still remains a major threat at the top of the batting order if he's able to get on base. NL Position Ranking: 8th Third Base: Mike Lowell Had the first 100-RBI season of his three-year career last season. Like many of his teammates, was far better at home (.316 BA) than on the road (.252). Marlins had 773 OPS at home, 728 on the road (and Pro Player Stadium is considered a pitcher's park, so explain that ... ) NL Position Ranking: 6th Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez Has struggled a great deal offensively since being tabbed as the starter prior to the 1999 season. Could find himself out of a job soon if he doesn't improve dramatically in 2002. Also, committed 26 errors. Ouch. NL Position Ranking: 14th Left Field: Cliff Floyd Had superb numbers in 2001 (.317-31-103) despite having a dismal second half (.285, 10 HR, 33 RBI). If he's able to put it all together this year could move into the elite class of offensive players. NL Position Ranking: 5th Center Field: Preston Wilson Cut down dramatically in his strikeouts (107 in 2001 compared to 187 in 2000, but did play in 38 fewer games due to injury). If healthy, is a 30-homer, 120-plus RBI guy. Above average center fielder with a very good arm (12 assists). NL Position Ranking: 5th Right Field: Kevin Millar Had a breakout year in 2001, hitting .314 with 20 home runs and 85 RBI. Was second on the team to Floyd in batting average and doubles. NL Position Ranking: 11th No. 1 Starter: Brad Penny Had lowest ERA among Marlins starters last year (3.69) while also throwing over 200 innings (205). K/BB ratio of 154/54 last season was impressive. NL Ranking among starters: 14th No. 2 Starter: Ryan Dempster Logged over 200 innings for the second straight season, but his ERA rose by more than a run (3.66 in 2000 to 4.94 in 2001). NL Ranking among starters: 27th No. 3 Starter: A.J. Burnett Another of the list of hardthrowers in the Marlins system. Threw a no-hitter in early May (despite walking nine), but was extremely inconsistent. NL Ranking among starters: 30th No. 4 Starter: Josh Beckett Projected as one of baseball's next great pitchers. Mid-90s fastball with oustanding offspeed stuff. Could be the difference for the Marlins if they're to realistically push for a playoff spot. NL Ranking among starters: 17th Bullpen: Vladimir Nunez, Armando Almanza, Vic Darensbourg This group takes a hit as with the trade of Antonio Alfonseca, Braden Looper now takes over the closer's role. Nunez was quite effective in posting an impressive 2.74 ERA. NL Position Ranking: 12th Closer: Braden Looper Looper has been groomed to be a closer ever since being drafted in 1996. And that's with good reason as he fits the look of a closer as he stands 6-foot-5. He must, however, now prove that he can close games. He had three saves and three blown saves last year, pitching mainly in a set-up role. NL Position Ranking: 16th

Overall Power Index Rankings (NL rank):
Position: 7.75 (6th) | Pitching: 7.33 (6th)

-- Matt Szefc