Giancarlo Stanton is the face of the Marlins franchise. He is the team's best player by a wide margin.
Stanton, 24, was leading the league in home runs (37), RBI (105), slugging percentage (.555) and OPS (.950). In 2014, he had a 5.8 WAR. In his five years in the majors, his career WAR is 18.4.
He is always a trade rumor candidate. He has shown consistent power over the past five seasons. In any trade, Miami would get a blockbuster package in return.
But the Marlins have done fire sales in the past. And the fan base stays away in droves. Any team needs at least one player who performs well, stays out of trouble, and is fan friendly. Stanton is the face of the Marlins; an All-Star player with Hall of Fame potential.
Thursday night, Stanton was hit in the face with a fastball. Stanton took an 88-mph fast
in the mouth off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Friers in the 5th
inning. Stanton was taken off the field in an ambulance and is reported
to have suffered multiple facial fractures, lacerations, and dental
damage. He is likely out for the remainder of the season.
This is a player's worst nightmare, getting hit in the head. Cubs fans will remember that rookie prospect Adam Greenberg's first major league at-bat ended with him being hit by a pitch. That one pitch ended Greenberg's baseball career.
No matter what happens next, this injury will affect Stanton. One's body will program itself to defend against danger. His basic survival instinct may kick in for a split second to protect himself from inside pitches. Batting and contact with a baseball itself is a matter of split second coordination. In addition, there may be lingering effects from the facial fractures or possible eyesight issues to concussion concerns.
For baseball superstars, the high return in compensation is also tempered by high risk. One play can end a career. One injury can end a career.
