2025 MLB Season Recap: Miami Marlins

Stat	Number	Rank
Runs Scored	709	16th
Home Runs	154	27th
OPS	.707	t-17th
Whiff%	23.9%	6th
Hard Hit%	40.5%	17th

The Pitching

Stat	Number	Rank
Starters’ ERA	4.84	26th
Relievers’ ERA	4.28	22nd
Strikeouts	1,294	22nd
Whiff%	24.2%	24th
Chase%	28.6%	12th

The Good

For years, the Marlins struggled to cultivate homegrown hitting. That remains a work in progress for the organization. However, the moves made by Miami’s front office in 2024 helped pave the way for an offense that was remarkably more productive in 2025 compared to the year before.

Three players acquired in 2024 — Jakob Marsee, Agustin Ramirez, & Kyle Stowers — all had fantastic seasons, cementing their status as rebuilding blocks.

Stowers, part of the Trevor Rogers trade in July 2024, didn’t have room in a crowded outfield picture in Baltimore. However, the 27-year-old — a good power hitter in the Minors — found his stroke at the MLB level in 2025. Stowers hit 25 home runs, 19 of which came in the first half.

Granted, Stowers swung and missed a lot in 2025. His 32.5% Whiff% ranked among the league’s worst, although he cut down the swing-and-miss against fastballs. But Stowers’ ability to drive the ball both to the pull side and the opposite field was remarkable.

Stowers finished with the tenth-highest wOBA (.386) among players with 350+ plate appearances this season.

Ramirez, acquired in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, hit 21 home runs and also added in 16 stolen bases as a rookie. The 24-year-old catcher likely profiles as a DH long-term, as he had a very difficult time (-28 Blocks AA) blocking this season. The Marlins gave him regular time at DH in 2025, which also kept his big bat in the lineup on a regular basis.

Then, there’s Jakob Marsee. Marsee, who finished eighth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, only spent two months in the Majors this season. But it was an impactful one, as Marsee slashed .292/.363/.478 with 14 stolen bases and 26 extra-base hits. That XBH total was tied for eighth in the Majors from August 1 onward.

When the Marlins acquired Marsee in 2024, I remarked how that move made sense from an analytical perspective. Aside from the physical tools, Marsee had a knack for working counts and getting on base in the Minors. In his first taste of the Majors, all of it came together in a nice blend.

As for the pitching, that too reflected the fresh, analytics-driven approach of the Marlins. Late in the season, Miami adopted a revolutionary strategy of having the coaching staff call balls & strikes electronically, rather than letting their pitchers and/or catchers be in control of that.

From a broader point of view, the Marlins’ pitching staff was fine overall. Edward Cabrera, who had trouble staying healthy over the last few seasons, struck out 150 over a career-high 137.2 IP.

Not all of their pitchers were spared from injuries (and I’ll get more into that in a bit). Nonetheless, it was a splendid campaign from the right-hander.

It was also a nice rebound year for both Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez. Alcantara struggled with inefficiencies in the first half, as he walked 37 and conceded 12 home runs over 91 innings. In the second half, he posted a 3.33 ERA and struck out 71 over 83 innings.

Perez, like Alcantara, missed all of 2024. He returned in the middle of the 2025 campaign and struck out 105 over 95.1 IP. Perez’s velocity was on par with where it was in 2023.

The Bad

Despite the positives from the three young hitters mentioned earlier, it was a struggle at times for the Marlins.

Miami’s offense was streaky. Across 26 games in May, the Marlins scored only 96 total runs. But across 30 games in August, the Marlins exploded for 146 runs (Miami went 13-17 in that month).

Multiple regulars, including Otto Lopez, Dane Myers, and Eric Wagaman, had sub-.700 OPS figures. So did Connor Norby, who slashed .251/.300/.389 this season.

On the pitching side of things, the Marlins had to piece things together at times this season with respect to their rotation.

Max Meyer, another one of those oft-injured pitchers, only threw 64.2 IP before he needed season-ending hip surgery. Ryan Weathers, who looked nearly untouchable at times, only threw 38.1 IP thanks to numerous IL stints.

The Marlins were also without starter Braxton Garrett, who had TJ surgery, and reliever Andrew Nardi for all of 2025.

It did help that the Marlins were able to eat innings with Janson Junk. Junk, despite a .328 opponents’ wOBA in the second half, rarely walked hitters (1.1 BB/9). The problem was that Junk didn’t strike out many batters.

The same can be said for Cal Quantrill, who signed with the team last winter. Quantrill gave up a lot of contact and posted a 5.50 ERA before he was cut.

Early Projected Lineup for 2026

• C: Liam Hicks
• 1B: Eric Wagaman
• 2B: Xavier Edwards
• 3B: Connor Norby
• SS: Otto Lopez
• OF: Heriberto Hernandez (LF), Jakob Marsee (CF), Kyle Stowers (RF)
• DH: Agustin Ramirez
• SP: Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera, Janson Junk
• RP: Calvin Faucher, Ronny Henriquez, Cade Gibson, Anthony Bender, Lake Bachar, Tyler Phillips, Josh Simpson, Andrew Nardi

Now that the Marlins have begun to flesh out a foundation, decisions are going to be difficult for 2026.

One, will the Marlins move Sandy Alcantara? It wouldn’t be hyperbole to state that the pitcher trade market may be better than what’s available in free agency this winter. And given how well Alcantara performed in the second half, the bar will likely be very high to get the former Cy Young Award winner. After all, Alcantara has two years left of control.

Two, what will the Marlins look to add this winter? Last winter, the Marlins had a very quiet offseason, as expected, mainly looking to grab roster bodies. While some didn’t work, Miami received some production from Eric Wagaman and struck gold with Henriquez when he was claimed off waivers in February.

The Marlins could look towards adding an outfielder on a short-term deal to fit with Marsee and Stowers.

Additionally, the Marlins have depth in the Minors. Robby Snelling, Joe Mack, and Kemp Alderman are among prospects knocking on the door. Miami may also have another budding ace in the wings with Thomas White.