MLB Preview 2015: Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins 2014 Record: 77-85
Team Overview:
The Marlins know they have a future in two MLB ready emerging stars, but it will be a must that the two can be ready for a late summer stretch, because this team may have pieces that make them competitive in the wild card race.
The 6-6 240 pound baseball player that is Giancarlo Stanton is the guy can carry the Marlins to great heights. After leading his team and creating a strong MVP resume he took a wild pitch to the face and ended that campaign and the Marlins chances. There are only mental questions now but I don’t really have any. He should be right back in that race, and the Marlins outfield is already being discussed among the best in the MLB. Christain Yellich and Marcel Ozuna both bring a glove, and combine for speed and power respectively. Ozuna is only 24 and after hitting 23 home runs in his rookie season the sky is the limit for year two. Yellichs’ rookie year resulted in 22 stolen bases and at age 23 he will now be slotted into batting second, which makes a strong top half of the team. Dee Gordon was acquired to lead off and he was able to get on base and steal 64 bases in 2014. With him and Yellich moving at the top, the power in the middle will see better pitches. Gordon was acquired as well as Martin Prado and Michael Morse to round out the infield. Morse will play first and although Prado has been a utility man for most of his career it is under the assumption Prado has been signed to play third base. Jared Saltalmacchia and Adeiny Hechavarria can combine for a long last name, and good defense at two of the most important positions for defense, Shortstop, and catcher. The team has a lot of youth but certainly has a lot of optimism coming into 2015.
The Marlins pitching is mostly young and there needs to be some optimism in it if the fish want to go far. Their ace will start on the DL but the team signed Matt Latos to carry the rotation to begin the season. This could be a sneaky find after Latos dealt with injuries in his 2014 contract year but typically has what it takes to produce innings and Ks. At 27 I would expect he will be back to form for the Marlins and he may need to lead the staff until Jose Fernandez comes back. The team adds two 24 year olds with some upside to the staff as well. Henderson Alvarez and Jared Cosart both performed late in the season and Alvarez posted an ERA under 3 in his second season as a starter. Dan Haren was acquired as a vet option and the team could get depth and innings from Tom Koelher as well. The rotation doesn’t sound too bad but when the pressure is lifted with the potential of an entering ace coming it sounds much better.
What To Watch For?
There is almost nothing more important to the Miami Marlins than Jose Fernandez. Fernandez was pitching at a near unbelievable rate until we were reminded he was human again with 2014 ending with Tommy John surgery. Although elbow surgery isn’t lucky it is lucky that the kid is still only 22 and had the procedure done in late May, which gives him plenty of time to be able to return this season with the typical 12 month rehab. Fernandez has thrown this spring although in no serious game situations. If this team can hold up you could be looking at a strong lineup with Fernandez leading a deep rotation. Latos as a second punch, to go with a young Alvarez and Cosart in a 3-4 learning spot gives the team more flexibility. If Haren can eat innings as a fifth pitcher, then the bullpen should be strong and fresh to take care of some of the growing pains that come with the two 24 year olds. It is no certainty Fernandez jumps back in on schedule but if he does there is a lot more to like in the promise of the team pitching as a whole.
Where Do They Rank?
The Marlins are young but they may be ready for what is in store for 2015. I think that the lineup can really be a strong one this season, and while the pitching doesn’t wow you away from Fernandez, I do think they can compete. If they head into July relatively healthy and adding one of the most promising pitchers in baseball it would be really something to follow in the NL playoff hunt. I think the Nationals run away with the division but I have Marlins in 2nd and think they will be in the thick of the Wild Card.
