<p>MIAMI — Highly regarded prospect Jazz Chisholm was declared the winner of the spring competition for the Miami Marlins’ second base job Sunday, and he’ll be in the lineup on opening day.</p>
<p>Chisholm batted .268 with three homers and four stolen bases in spring training. </p>
<p>He was competing with Isan Diaz for the Marlins’ only open everyday job, and won almost by default. Diaz went 2 for 34 and will start the season in Triple-A.</p>
<p>Manager Don Mattingly and general manager Kim Ng told Chisholm shortly before the final spring training game that he was heading south with the team.</p>
<p>“It feels great when everybody believes in you,” Chisholm said. “I know I already have a lot of confidence, but it gives you confidence to where it’s almost cockiness.”</p>
<p>In 2020, Miami second basemen had an OPS of .602, last in the National League. Chisholm made his big league debut in September and went 9 for 56 (.161).</p>
<p>Chisholm, 23, came to Miami in the 2019 trade that sent pitcher Zac Gallen to Arizona.</p>
<p>“We look at Jazz as the everyday second baseman,” Mattingly said. “But this is the start of it. You’ve got to go perform and keep going every day."</p>
<p>The young Marlins finished 14-5 in spring training, best in the majors. They’re trying to build on an unexpected run to the playoffs last year, and open the season Thursday against Tampa Bay.</p>
<p>“I’m happy with the club,” Mattingly said. “In general we have played pretty good baseball.”</p>
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