The clock starts this year on assessment of the new Miami Marlins front office, hired just a year and a half ago by Marlins owner Bruce Sherman. So far there are plenty of reasons to justify long-term optimism. The record this year is far less important than seeing if this first group of young players have a chance to stick with the team as it builds a solid core. The performance of position players are very encouraging.
Before he went down with a gruesome season-ending shoulder injury, Griffin Conine had picked up where he left off last year, providing perhaps the most balanced position player performance among Marlins starters: solid OBP, SLG, fielding, and baserunning. He will be ready in 2026 and should be an important part of the future. He’s proven he can hit lefties, which makes him an everyday player. The other standout is Kyle Stowers, who is mashing the ball consistently, is better at laying off the high fastball, and is drawing walks to supplement the extra base hits. He too looks to be a keeper and a solid every day starter. In addition, when Derek Hill was healthy, the outfield defense ranked near the top in all of baseball. Dane Myers is a solid contributor who has shown plus offensive skills and can play all three outfield positions.
On the infield, the situation is much more mixed. Connor Norby looks to be part of the core but still has work to do both at 3b and generating more consistent extra base production at the plate. However, at this point he’s an average MLB starter. Xavier Edwards has taken a step back and in my view is not a long-term SS. If he regains his hitting stroke, he could be viable at 2B. But it’s too early to give up on Otto Lopez, whose defense at 2B gives him value. 1B Matt Mervis is intriguing because of the power. The team needs to give him time to see if he can make adjustments to lower his high strikeout rate. It’s tended to be feast or famine for him.
Agustin Ramirez looks to be the real deal: the most exciting hitting prospect that the Marlins have on their roster in the Bruce Sherman era, and that includes Jazz, whom he was acquired for. Ramirez approach is exceptional in providing the full package of skills: good contact, on base and power—he hits the ball hard consistently. He most likely profiles as a DH/1B/part time catcher. AAA catcher Joe Mack appears to be the starting catcher of the future, as he excels in every facet of his game. Eric Wagaman was a good find, and has been a solid contributor as a 1b/3B and corner OF option, though he does have defensive limitations.
The starting pitching has been an unexpected disaster, with Sandy struggling mightily. However, reinforcements are going to help remake this rotation. Max Meyer has been stellar, mostly, and appears ready to be a top-of-the-rotation starter going forward. He will soon be complemented by Ryan Weathers and Eury Perez, both coming off injuries, and eventually Adam Mazur and high rising prospect Robby Snelling will be given their chances.
The bullpen has several high leverage relievers that have done well, paired with a group of poor performers who have tended to be used in games the Fish are losing. I have been very impressed with the way the manager and coaching staff have deployed the bullpen arms. This is a smart and very advanced group from both a coaching and analytic perspective.
Contrast how well the rebuild is going versus what is happening with the traded Marlins. With the exception of Jesus Luzardo and Tanner Scott, the rest of the former Fish have not been productive: Jake Burger is in the minors, Jazz is hurt again and is hitting below .200, Bryan de la Cruz is in the minors, Luis Arraez may have a good batting average but his overall production has not been very good, Josh Bell is hitting over 50% below league average. Yeah, the previous group was nothing to ever keep.
Overall the record for the first full year of the rebuild has been close to expectations, but the progress is evident when looking at how extensively the entire major and minor league system has been transformed. The front office should have a much better idea of what needs to be added in 2026 to make the team better and more competitive. That means Sherman needs to start spending money. It was fine to have a transition year to assess young talent, but the goal after this year should be measurable improvement of the on-field product.
I do expect things to start to take an upswing in 2026 and hopefully go higher in 2027, if the owners don’t lock out the players that year, which would be the season after the collective bargaining agreement ends after the conclusion of the 2026 season.
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