4 Things Marlins Fans Should Keep an Eye on in September

I only ask because, at one point this season, the Marlins have likely spoiled one of your nights with how they have been exceeding expectations since the three-game sweep at the hands of the Rockies at home back in the beginning of June.

There was much, dare I say, hate geared toward Peter Bendix and the front office with their continued turnover with the major-league roster, along with their lack of activity in free agency, as they came out of this past offseason making only two major-league signings in Cal Quantrill and Eric Wagaman.

Here we are at the end of August, and one of those signings is currently still giving up home runs to Kyle Schwarber at The Bank as a member of the Atlanta Braves (Quantrill). But the Fighting Fish still managed to exceed any and all expectations this year.

Coming into the year, our partners at BetMGM had the Marlins’ win total line set at 62.5. The Marlins ended up surpassing that win total by winning their 63rd game of the season back on August 29 against the division-rival Mets.

The month of September is going to be a lot of fun to follow for Marlins fans. Not only do they have a chance to play the dreaded spoiler that many teams have experienced, but there are still a few things to look for that will impact the team as they turn their attention toward the 2026 season and how they plan to piece together their roster.

Stats were taken prior to play on September 3.

1. Continue the Development of the Young Fish

2025 has been the year of the younglings.

In a game last weekend against the Mets, Miami had an appearance by nine different rookies, and, per the SNY Broadcast and an article written by Christina De Nicola on MLB.com, the Marlins have played a total of 22 rookies this season, 13 of them having made their debuts in 2025 alone.

If (when) another rookie makes his debut in a Marlins uniform this season, they will tie the Athletics’ record for the number of players to make their debut in one season.

From day one, we have seen a rookie make an impact. Rule V selection Liam Hicks was already carving out a role for himself, even though they had their trusted backstop, Nick Fortes. It was not long before the Marlins felt comfortable enough with Hicks in the lineup that they had him take reps at first base just to keep him in there on a nightly basis.

Then you have the young slugger, Agustín Ramírez, and the power he continues to portray as a staple middle-of-the-order type bat for them going forward.

While he is no longer on the same torrid run he was on when he first arrived, he continues to be a force in the Marlins lineup with a 47.1% hard-hit rate, all while keeping his strikeout rate under 20%. That itself is impressive considering how aggressive he is at the plate.

Heriberto Hernandez is another player who made his 2025 debut who has made a heck of an impression, not only in the eyes of Marlins fans, but also his manager and president of baseball operations. Both of which have gone on record applauding what he has provided this team on both sides of the ball.

The latest installment of young talent has been the spark plug that is Jakob Marsee and his 81.3% contact rate, game-disrupting speed, and his ability to play an above-average center field for a team that probably hasn’t had a true center fielder play out there since Juan Pierre.

All of these players have one thing in common: They were scouted and acquired by this current regime via trade, minor-league signing, waiver claim, or Rule V selection. Needless to say, this new Marlins brass and development staff have a knack for truly getting the most out of each of their players in order to be successful major leaguers.

As we enter the last month of the year, following the development of each of these players is going to be a lot of fun. Not just because of the play they are putting out on the field each game, but also to see how they can continue to refine their game to establish themselves as everyday regulars for the Marlins in 2026.

2. Sandy’s Ever-Changing Trade Wave

Talk about a roller coaster season for the former unanimous Cy Young Award winner.

Making his comeback from Tommy John surgery, you will have trouble finding a single person who would not have been excited for the return of Sandy Alcantara.

From day one, when he was lined up to start against Paul Skenes on Opening Day, we were anticipating him to hit the ground running after all of the bullpen videos that continued to emerge throughout the process of him flashing triple digits consistently.

Unfortunately, those expectations were quickly washed away when Sandy just could not find it.

Not only was this worrisome for his long-term outlook, but it also made people question Bendix’s moves even more after he decided not to trade him. Hindsight is obviously 20/20, but the 7.22 ERA in the first half of the year did not bode well for the future of either side.

Even through the struggles, Sandy’s name was still thrown around trade rumors in hopes that a change of scenery was what he needed to turn it all around.

Well, not so fast!

While he is not back to his Cy Young form, Sandy has pitched to a 3.16 ERA across 57.0 innings pitched since the start of the second half. Home runs were a huge problem for the ace, giving up 12 pre-All-Star break. While the five given up in the second half is still a good amount, it is a sign that he has been able to execute his pitches better.

The thing to watch for with Sandy is how this fares for his future, specifically.

As I mentioned before, Sandy has had his name thrown around to essentially every team at one point this year, even with the struggles. Is this post-ASB turnaround giving the Marlins’ front office optimism that he can be their horse at the top of the rotation again, or is this going to aid in moving him in the offseason?

At this point, neither would surprise me. What I would advise Marlins fans to do is just enjoy every last pitch he throws throughout the final month. You never know what may happen, and Sandy epitomizes everything it is to be the leader of a team.

3. 2026 Roster Battles Are Already Taking Shape

If you were to search the Just Baseball website for articles where I highlighted how current moves will impact future decisions, or even just re-read the first section of this article, you will know what I mean when I say that there are true battles going on for 2026 roster spots.

As of today, the likely locks on offense are the two catchers, Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez up the middle of the infield, and Connor Norby likely starting at third base now that he is making his return from the fractured hamate bone.

In the outfield, there is no doubt that Kyle Stowers will be out there. Griffin Conine was morphing into a staple before his own injury knocked him out for the season, but he looks to have a spot secured on the roster for next year. That leaves the aforementioned Marsee and Hernandez fighting with Dane Myers to see who is still around.

Then there is utilityman Javier Sanoja who is more than just a fun name to say. Every night he goes out there, you can just see him giving it his all.

Then there is the pitching side of things, which is where it gets really fun.

Alcantara, if he is still on the team, Eury Pérez, and Edward Cabrera are locks to be in this rotation. After those three, you have a slew of arms who are currently hurt or fighting to crack a spot on the roster.

Ryan Weathers has been seemingly out the whole year, and Braxton Garrett truly has. Both, if healthy, should compete for spots in the rotation.

There will be a role for Max Meyer on this team in 2026, but has he done enough to prove that his spot is in the rotation, or will be be a strong backend of the ‘pen arm? That is yet to be seen.

Adam Mazur just made his 2025 debut and, while he looked good, there are questions as to whether he will be more than a swing man.

Clearly there are a lot of questions in the rotation heading into 2026. Monitor this situation the rest of the way, and hopefully fans gain some clarity on what the rotation may look like heading into next season.

4. Down in the Pond

Robby Snelling was written off toward the end of his tenure in San Diego’s farm system. Someone must not have told him that.

After pitching to a 6.01 ERA in the Padres system, Snelling came over to Miami in the package they received for Tanner Scot. After joining the organization, he pitched to a 3.64 ERA across 42 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, went into a full offseason under the tutelage of the Marlins’ new pitching development team, and has done nothing but dominate on the mound.

In 118 innings across two levels, Robby Snelling is pitching to a 2.75 ERA, rocking a 10.6 K/9, and allowing just a 30% hard-hit rate. Snelling looks to be well on his way to entering 2026 Spring Training in a battle for one of those rotation spots.

Now, he is not the only left-hander that is dealing down in the Marlins system.

The 35th overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, Just Baseball’s No. 24 Prospect, Thomas White, is being recognized across the industry as the best left-handed pitching prospect in all of baseball.

The 20-year-old is pitching to a 2.27 ERA across High-A and Double-A stints in the 2025 season. You remember the 10.6 K/9 referenced with Snelling? Well, White is pitching to a 14.3 K/9. The walks are a little bit of an issue, but that is to be expected when you are as young as he is and already in Double-A.

While he is going to get his chance to pitch for the big-league club in spring, his debut is likely to come at the back half of next year at the earliest.

In summation, the Marlins have pitchers. How the rest of this year plays out for all of these arms, including the diagnosis from team doctors regarding the health of the current injured arms, is going to play a big role in trying to determine how this pitching staff will be pieced together once the 2026 season rolls around.

Swimming to the End

As someone who fell in love with the game of baseball watching the Marlins on my great-grandfather’s lap, a creaky little rocking chair, on a muted TV while listening to Felo Ramírez on the radio, this is some of the most fun I have had watching the Marlins play in a long time.

This is a team who had zero expectations to be remotely close to contending, so it’s exciting to watch what this team is doing and the strides they’ve made this season. You can’t help but cheer for them on a nightly basis. Even if you are a fan of another team, you have to admit that this is impressive.

This Marlins organization is on the precipice of building something special, and the rest of the 2025 season is going to prove that to the rest of the baseball landscape.