3 key Marlins roster battles that are still undecided

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola¡¯s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Marlins¡¯ Grapefruit League schedule comes to a close a week from today, and there are still key decisions to be made regarding the Opening Day roster ahead of the March 27 matchup against the Pirates at loanDepot park.

Here are three key battles that will come down to the wire:

FIRST BASE

Who is in the mix?
Matt Mervis, Jonah Bride, Eric Wagaman

From which side do they bat?
Lefty: Mervis
Righty: Bride, Wagaman

How many options do they have?
None: Bride
One: Mervis
Three: Wagaman

What are their Grapefruit League stats (entering Sunday)?
Mervis: .313/.333/.656 with 3 HR, 7 RBIs (both team highs), 1 BB, 10 K in 10 G
Bride: .138/.278/.241 with 1 2B, 1 3B, 6 BB, 4 K in 11 G
Wagaman: .194/.306/.387 with 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 5 BB, 9 K in 10 G

Take Spring Training stats with a grain of salt because they feature small samples, inconsistent playing time and variables like pitchers trying out new offerings or sequences. Manager Clayton McCullough also noted that the staff is looking at the quality of the at-bats and not just the results.

What else is there to know?
McCullough doesn¡¯t see much defensive separation between the trio, so on any given day the other could serve as the club¡¯s designated hitter. Bride and Wagaman can also play third, plus the latter has seen time in the corner outfield in the past. No. 25 prospect Graham Pauley, who is a corner infielder, could also factor in.

OUTFIELD

Who is in the mix?
Derek Hill, Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine, Dane Myers

Who can play where?
All three positions: Hill, Myers, Stowers

From which side do they bat?
Lefty: Stowers, Conine
Righty: Hill, Myers

How many options do they have?
None: Hill
One: Myers, Stowers
Three: Conine

What are their Grapefruit League stats (entering Sunday)?
Hill: .242/.375/.424 with 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 7 BB, 10 K in 11 G
Conine: .258/.343/.355 with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 3 BB, 8 K, in 11 G
Myers: .286/.429/.286 with 2 RBIs, 7 BB, 10 K, 3 SB in 11 G
Stowers: .167/.394/.167 with 2 RBIs, 9 BB, 12 K, 2 SB in 10 G

What else is there to know?
The Marlins announced Jes¨²s S¨¢nchez will miss the start of the season with a left oblique strain, which likely means every member of the aforementioned quartet makes the club. Miami had been testing out S¨¢nchez and Stowers in center this spring. No. 15 prospect Javier Sanoja is a utility player that has seen time in left and center, and Pauley also played the corners in the Padres¡¯ system.

McCullough¡¯s word of the spring has been ¡°positionality.¡± He believes the entire outfield group consists of solid defenders, so he would feel good with any combination.

BULLPEN

Who likely has a spot locked in?
RHP Calvin Faucher, RHP Jesus Tinoco, RHP Anthony Bender, RHP Declan Cronin, RHP Lake Bachar

Who is vying for a spot?
RHP Ronny Henriquez, LHP Anthony Veneziano, RHP George Soriano, RHP Connor Gillispie, LHP Josh Simpson, LHP John Rooney

What¡¯s their roster status?
Non-roster invitee: Simpson, Rooney
40-man: Henriquez, Veneziano, Soriano, Gillispie

How many options do they have?
None: Henriquez
One: Soriano
Two: Gillispie, Veneziano

What are their Grapefruit League stats (entering Sunday)?
Henriquez: 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 HR, 2 BB, 8 K in 5 G
Soriano: 7 IP, 5 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K in 6 G
Veneziano: 7 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R (4 ER), 7 BB, 6 K in 7 G
Simpson: 5 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K in 4 G
Gillispie: 8 IP, 1 BB, 4 K in 4 G
Rooney: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K in 6 G

Assuming the previously mentioned ¡°locks¡± make the club, that leaves three open spots in the bullpen. The 40-man roster is full, so the Marlins would need to clear space in order to add an NRI.

Henriquez and Soriano had minor hiccups on Friday but have been impressive otherwise. McCullough has said if the southpaws don¡¯t show enough consistency, he is confident in some of the righties being able to neutralize lefty sluggers. Miami might also lean on guys being able to go multiple innings rather than carrying a traditional long man.