Center field is the most hotly contested position battle on the Marlins.

While Alex Sanchez, Reggie Abercrombie and Eric Reed compete for the starting spot, the Marlins are developing some talented outfielders in their Minor League system.

A possible center fielder of the future is Greg Burns, a speedster who was selected in the third round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.

The 21-year-old Burns has as much raw talent as any prospect in the system. Drafted out of Walnut High School in California, Burns spent last year at low Class A Greensboro, where he batted .231 with 20 steals.

The big question mark in his development is whether he will make enough contact to be a productive player. He struck out 109 times in 342 at-bats.

Another outfielder with a high upside is Kris Harvey, a second-round choice in 2005. More of a corner outfielder, Harvey belted 15 homers and had 60 RBIs in 96 games at Greensboro a year ago.

Like Burns, the Marlins would like to see more contact from Harvey, who has power. Harvey struck out 82 times in 367 at-bats.

Center fielder Scott Cousins was picked in the third round of the 2006 draft.

A University of San Francisco product, Cousins has the speed to play center field at the big-league level. Because of his power potential, he also fits the profile to also play the corner spots.

John Reynor, taken in the ninth round in '06, is showing progress as a corner outfield prospect. Reynor is a product of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

On the move: On the move: Jason Wood, the 37-year-old who continues to compete for a roster spot, has been one of the most productive hitters in big-league camp. With one year and 10 days of service time, Wood is a second baseman [by trade] who is also getting plenty of work at first this spring. ... Alejandro De Aza remains the sleeper of Spring Training. The speedy outfielder is getting a long look, and may end up factoring into the center-field race. ... Top pitching prospect Chris Volstad was reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday. The 20-year-old got a taste of the big leagues, and he is expected to open at Class A Jupiter.

Names in the game: Wayne Rosenthal, the Marlins' pitching coach in their 2003 World Series champion season, is back for his third straight season as the organization's pitching coordinator. Before joining the Major League staff in 2003, Rosenthal held the same position.

They're No. 1: Lefty reliever Taylor Tankersley, the top pick in 2004, threw off flat ground on Saturday for the first time since experience shoulder inflammation the first week of Spring Training. Tankersley is hoping to be ready on Opening Day. Jeremy Hermida, picked in the first round in 2002, is looking to get his timing down at the plate. The Marlins' starting right fielder missed the final month of 2006 with a stress fracture in his right ankle.

Class of '06: Outfielder Thomas Hickman, who turns 19 on April 18, is an impressive prospect who was taken in the second round a year ago. Drafted out of Pepperell High School in Georgia, Hickman is a lefty hitting and throwing talent who batted .263 with two homers and 20 RBIs in the Gulf Coast League.

On the mend: Reliever Travis Bowyer was sent this week to Minor League camp, where he will spend the season rehabbing his right shoulder. Bowyer is expected to miss his second straight year because of the shoulder ailment. Sean West is scheduled to visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday for precautionary reasons. West, just sent to Minor League camp, hasn't thrown since Feb. 22. He believes he is fine, but is double-checking to make sure.

What they're saying: "There's nothing better than playing with the best. It's definitely helped me to see what I need to do to prepare myself and get ready for when the chance does come where I get called up or if I get called up." -- Volstad, on his experience in camp

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.