Miami Marlins' Marcell Ozuna surges to second breakout year

MIAMI -- Marcell Ozuna will be arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2017, which makes the season he is putting together particularly good timing.

Ozuna, the Miami Marlins' 25-year-old center fielder, had his breakout year in 2014, belting 23 homers, driving in 85 runs and producing a .772 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS).

He slumped last year, posting 10 homers, 44 RBIs and a .691 OPS. He was sent to the minors halfway through what was an embarrassing season for the proud Dominican.

At one point, he told reporters -- in Spanish -- that going to the minors felt like "jail" for his career.

Now in his fourth year, Ozuna is having his second breakout season -- and it is even better than the first. He is hitting .327, which is far better than his previous high of .269.

Ozuna also has 10 doubles, four triples, 10 homers and a superior .952 OPS.

He didn't start Thursday and is hitless in 10 straight at-bats, but his numbers are still huge.

"I'm more relaxed this year," Ozuna said in Spanish. "I decided I wasn't going to worry about what people say about me from the outside."

Ozuna also got in better shape this past offseason, and he credits new hitting coach Barry Bonds' influence with helping him in terms of the technical and mental sides of hitting.

Whatever the formula, it is right on time for Ozuna, and the Marlins are grateful.