Pre-Spring Training 2024 Marlins roster projection

[Ely Sussman]

In the aftermath of the Nick Gordon trade, projecting which 26 Marlins players are best positioned to make the Opening Day roster.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Jupiter this week and the rest of their teammates joining them in the subsequent days, it's time for my start-of-spring Miami Marlins Opening Day roster projection.

I can say with a fairly high degree of confidence that there will be discrepancies between this projection and the ultimate 26-man active roster. Injuries are almost inevitable over the next six weeks. There will be extreme Grapefruit League performances that cannot be forecasted and may tilt a roster battle. Even so, hopefully you find some value in this exercise.

Look out for an updated roster projection in early March.

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Position Players

Catchers (2): Christian Bethancourt, Nick Fortes

Infielders (6): Luis Arraez, Josh Bell, Jon Berti, Vidal Bruján, Jake Burger, Xavier Edwards

Outfielders (5): Jazz Chisholm Jr., Bryan De La Cruz, Avisaíl García, Nick Gordon, Jesús Sánchez 

Just missed: Jonah Bride, Trey Mancini

The catching situation is straightforward. Fortes' active roster spot could be in jeopardy early in the regular season if he continues to scuffle at the plate just as much as he did in 2023, but he's doubtful to be usurped on the depth chart until the real games begin.

The Marlins traded three prospects in their deal to acquire the out-of-options Bruján, which clearly indicates they expect him to break camp with the club, though the acquisition of Gordon shrinks his role.

Edwards vs. Bride is relatively close to a coin flip if Edwards doesn't assert himself as part of the shortstop mix. Even assuming the Marlins believe that Edwards has more long-term potential, they might prefer having him in Triple-A Jacksonville's everyday lineup instead of playing sporadically in Miami.

The Marlins continue to reject the notion that García is a sunk cost. Perhaps they will change their tune before Opening Day, but I can't count on that. Tough break for Mancini, who would otherwise have an easy path to make it as a non-roster invitee. That means backup first base duties would have to be handled by a committee of Arraez, Burger and Bethancourt.

 

Pitchers

Starters (5): Jesús Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Eury Pérez, Edward Cabrera, Trevor Rogers

Relievers (8): Anthony Bender, Huascar Brazoban, JT Chargois, Bryan Hoeing, Andrew Nardi, A.J. Puk, Tanner Scott, George Soriano

Just missed: Anthony Maldonado, Max Meyer, Ryan Weathers

Pretty good pitching staff, though pretty boring considering all of these arms finished last season in the Marlins organization.

Hoeing would be the projected mop-up man and likeliest pitcher to get optioned to the minors when making room for a fresh arm. 

Maldonado has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. Wouldn't be a shock if a preseason reliever injury paves the way for him to make the cut. However, it will be very tempting to delay his debut until mid-April, limiting enough MLB service time to ensure that club control carries through 2030 instead of only 2029.

I believe Sixto Sánchez—who is out of options—will either open the season on the injured list due to his interminable right shoulder issues or get designated for assignment.

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Any differences between your roster projection and mine? Comment to let me know.

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[Julio]

Meyer will only need to prove he’s healthy and fully recovered from TJ. There’s nothing left for him to do at the minor leagues level so that will force a trade of one of our left-handed starters, Rogers maybe unless the team plans to hold to Luzardo until the trade deadline and see what return he can command if they’re out of contention.

[Ely Sussman]

1 hour ago, Julio said:

Meyer will only need to prove he’s healthy and fully recovered from TJ. There’s nothing left for him to do at the minor leagues level so that will force a trade of one of our left-handed starters, Rogers maybe unless the team plans to hold to Luzardo until the trade deadline and see what return he can command if they’re out of contention.

I am high on Meyer, but he also needs to prove that his changeup is a consistent pitch. It showed flashes of being effective in 2022. It's possible he passes that test in Spring Training with enough reps against live batters, but I still think he's more likely to go to Triple-A and standby for his opportunity.

[One Regend]

I'm thinking Meyer starts the season in AAA to make up for the missed time from Tommy John and get the reps he needs, and ramp him up for a role in the Marlins roster.

Maldonado has been in AAA long enough. He'd be the guy that gets added to the OD Roster.