Marlins' rookie Stanton impressive in debut

With the baseball world geared up for the debut of Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg last night, it was easy to forget that another young man was making his first big-league appearance.

Florida Marlins rightfielder Mike Stanton, rated as the third top prospect in 2010 by Baseball America, hit seventh for the Marlins against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The 6-5, 235-pounder, who was called up after hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBI for Double A Jacksonville, went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in the Phillies' 10-8 win.

After arriving in Philadelphia, Stanton said he was treated to some wardrobe additions from the Men's Warehouse by teammate Brett Hayes. Gift-receiving aside, Stanton is trying to make his transition as normal as possible.

"I'm just trying to be cool right now," Stanton said before his debut. "There will be a few days where you don't know what's going to happen once you get on the field, but you've still got to separate that from playing.''

Stanton impressed the Marlins' clubhouse during spring training, but understood that he had to begin the season in the minors.

"I had to prove that I was ready," he said. "Nothing was going to be given to me. I just took it as motivation, just seeing how long I can do good in the minors until they wanted me back up. I take it for what it is."

Of course, Strasburg served his time in the minors as well.

"I'm sure he is going to have the cameras in his face just as much," Stanton said. "I'm sure he's taking it well and he's gonna go out and battle just like I am. We will see how it goes.''