With great power comes awards for Stanton

MIAMI -- So much about Mike Stanton stands out.

First, there's his size; he's a sculpted 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, making him an imposing figure. Then his immense power is reflected by the fact he connected on some of the longest home runs in 2011.

Stanton, who turns 22 on Tuesday, is widely considered an emerging star.

In his second big league season, he showed why, leading the Marlins in home runs (34) and RBIs (87).

The best is yet to come for the talented right fielder, but he already is making an impact. Based on a solid first full big league season, Stanton has been named the winner of two MLB.com awards.

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The right fielder is the Marlins' Player of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year. MLB.com has also tabbed Anibal Sanchez as the Marlins' Pitcher of the Year.

Stanton, a second-round pick in 2007, made his big league debut on June 8, 2010, and in just over half a season, he paced all Major League rookies in home runs with 22.

He built on his rookie season with a strong sophomore campaign.

Because of his youth and inexperience, Stanton endured his share of growing pains in 2011. He batted .262 in 150 games, striking out 166 times in 516 at-bats.

Dealing with strikeouts is nothing new for power hitters, and Stanton certainly had his share. But his overall game is taking form, as he showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields. He became the first right-handed hitter to connect on an opposite-field home run into the second desk at Citi Field in New York.

In terms of raw power, Stanton's 474-foot home run at Coors Field on Aug. 15 off Rockies right-hander Kevin Millwood was the fourth-longest home run in the Major Leagues in 2011, according to ESPN's Home Run Tracker.

Power is the most notable part of Stanton's game, but the Marlins feel he can be a more complete player.

"He can be a 30-30 guy," former Marlins manager Jack McKeon said during the season.

McKeon said Stanton had the best jumps on the team when making his initial burst trying to steal a base.

McKeon said Stanton, who stole five bases and was caught five times, needed to work on improving his basestealing during Spring Training.

Whether Stanton steals 15, 20 or 30 bases isn't necessary the issue. The point McKeon makes is the young slugger can offer production in other ways than belting long home runs.

Sanchez, 27, led the Marlins' staff in ERA (3.67) and strikeouts (202). The right-hander finished 8-9 in 32 starts, throwing 196 1/3 innings.

Sanchez, who tossed a no-hitter as a rookie in 2006, posted two one-hitters in '11.

When ace Josh Johnson was sidelined with right shoulder inflammation in May, Sanchez provided an immediate lift to the rotation.

The Venezuelan native was particularly strong in the first half, posting a 6-2 record with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts.

Overall, 2011 has been a down year for the Marlins in terms of individual awards. The team was shut out in the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards.

In recent years, the Marlins had Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez earn Silver Slugging Awards. And in 2009, Ramirez won the National League batting title, earning him the NL Silver Bat Award.

Second baseman Omar Infante and first baseman Gaby Sanchez were finalists for Gold Glove Awards, but they didn't win.

Several players have already received individual team or organizational honors.

At the end of the regular season, the South Florida Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America handed out four team awards.

Stanton was named the Most Valuable Player, and Emilio Bonifacio received the Jeff Conine "Mr. Marlin" Award. John Buck was the recipient of the Charlie Hough "Good Guy" Award, and Steve Cishek was the Rookie of the Year.

As an organization, the Marlins named Christian Yelich as their Minor League Player of the Year and Michael Brady as their Minor League Pitcher of the Year.