Marlins working to improve defense

MIAMI -- For a young club, there will be predictable growing pains. The Marlins over the past few seasons have definitely incurred their share, especially in the field.

In 2006 and '07, the Marlins ranked last in fielding percentage.

Even though there remains work to be done defensively, the club now has a .981 percentage, which as of Sunday ranked tied for 25th in the Major Leagues. So improving in that area is a welcome step.

"In my opinion, we've gotten better," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Jorge Cantu has made strides at third base, and in the late innings, he is seeing time at first base. The Marlins frequently double-switch with a lead in the seventh inning, sliding Cantu to first and using Wes Helms at third.

This is Cantu's first season seeing so much time at third base, and there has been a process of growing into the position. Helms, meanwhile, can play third and first.

Alfredo Amezaga, who plays infield and outfield, also is commonly used to help the defense, and Cody Ross has had a solid season in the field, primarily playing center field.

Helms, a veteran leader on the club, says that playing quality defense requires focus.

"First of all, you've got to take pride in it," Helms said. "I think a lot of guys now are thinking about hitting before defense, which is good. You've got to be able to hit in this game to stay here. But you've got to take into consideration that defense helps win ballgames, also.

"You also help your pitcher out when you play good defense, which is going to give him more confidence. You've got to work on it as much as your hitting. I'd rather see a guy [taking] 15 or 20 ground balls [in warmups] at game speed than taking 50 just going through the motions."

Focus in warmups is critical because, to Helms, reaction time is the most important part of defense. If a player is cruising through routine grounders in warmups, it may affect how he reacts on a hard-hit ball or deals with a bad hop.

"You've got to have a guy in BP that is going to hit it to you just as hard as in the game. Hit 'em hard, hit 'em soft," Helms said. "We're creatures of muscle memory. The more swings you take, the more accustomed you are going to be, the same thing with ground balls.

"I've played with Greg Maddux, and the first thing he'd tell everybody in Spring Training is, 'I'm going to let them put the ball in play. I'm not going to strike everybody out. Be ready to play defense. You're going to get ground balls, and I'm going to rely on my defense.' "