Which Marlins are most likely to represent the team in this year's All-Star Game?

[Isaac Azout]

Now that MLB All-Star voting has begun, it's a good time to discuss which Marlins player(s) might be representing the Fish in this year's Midsummer Classic. 

The 94th MLB All-Star Game will be held on July 16 in Arlington, Texas. Fan voting to determine the starters is now underway here. As is tradition, every team will get at least one representative on the roster, even the Marlins who enter Wednesday with the National League's worst record.

A season ago, Miami had two (quite deserving) All-Stars in Luis Arraez and Jorge Soler. In 2022, they had three (Jazz Chisholm Jr., Sandy Alcantara and Garrett Cooper).

At this stage of the process, there isn't an obvious lock to represent the Marlins, but these candidates appear to have the most compelling cases. 

 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. 

Bidding for his second career selection, Jazz followed a challenging April with a great month of May to put himself at the forefront of this conversation. In 27 games played in May, he slashed .286/.330/.514 (very reminiscent of his 2022 slash line). He's also added eight home runs and 11 stolen bases on the campaign. 

While also playing a premium position in center field, Chisholm has provided speed and power from the now-vacant leadoff spot. His 112 wRC+ to go along with his career-low 24% K rate has made him the most dangerous hitter in Miami's order. 

Along the way, he also has surpassed Chris Coghlan for second-most leadoff home runs in franchise history with seven (Hanley Ramirez tops the list with 25).

Given his strong performance, marketability and "flare," I predict Chisholm to be Miami's lone representative during this year's All-Star festivities. 

 

Ryan Weathers

Acquired by Miami during last year's trade deadline, Weathers has experienced a breakout season in 2024. Weathers leads Miami's starting staff in innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. He also leads the entire roster in bWAR (1.6). He is averaging almost a strikeout per inning and has a 2.62 BB/9, easily the lowest walk rate of his career. 

Weathers, like a lot of guys on Miami's roster, really heated up when the calendar flipped to May. Since May 3, Weathers has a 2.54 ERA (2.73 FIP) in 39 innings pitched. He's held opponents to a .542 OPS and has had multiple double-digit strikeout performances. 

With all the injuries endured by Miami's starting pitchers, a strong argument should be made that Weathers has been the team's most valuable player and deserves the All-Star nod. Another month maintaining his current pace would make the 24-year-old a very strong candidate. 

 

Jesús Luzardo

When the Marlins took the field on Opening Day, starter Jesús Luzardo probably would have been the favorite to represent Miami in this year's Midsummer Classic. Unfortunately, inconsistencies and a brief IL stint have hurt the South Floridian's chances.

When Luzardo returned from the 15-day IL (left elbow tightness), the left-hander made four starts in May. He pitched to a 1.75 ERA and even completed eight innings for the first time in his career in that stretch. Unfortunately, a rough start to June has put him on the outside looking in regarding All-Star candidacy. 

Luzardo's overall 2024 numbers are not pretty as he sits at 2-5 with a 5.30 ERA following a breakout 2023 campaign. With it likely that he will be dealt at some point this summer, his trade value has certainly dipped compared to where it was this offseason. 

 

Honorable Mention: Tanner Scott

One of the most dominant relievers since the start of 2023, left-handed closer Tanner Scott has an outside chance to earn his first career All-Star selection. Granted, only a few relievers get selected per league and save opportunities have been scarce for him on a struggling team. Regardless, Scott deserves some recognition. 

A season after his career year in which he had a 2.31 ERA and a 12.0 SO/9, Scott is doing more of the same in 2024. In addition to his minuscule 1.57 ERA this season, Scott hasn't allowed an earned run since April 14! Over 16 appearances (15.1 IP) in that span and not a single earned run. He's held opponents to a .154 batting average and has struck out a batter per inning. 

Should Scott continue this performance through June, I could see him being an All-Star for Miami...or for whichever team acquires him before then.

View full article

[Slacker Mills]

Scott is probably most likely. Don't even know that Luzardo will be good trade bait. The offseason was the safe way to move him - he's worth a lot less now. Weathers has been a pleasant surprise, but he's a mid-rotation guy at best. Let's face it with Jazz; he's been a bit of a disappointment.

It's tough to be thinking rebuid when there's little in the way of real assets.

[Ely Sussman]

On 6/5/2024 at 2:02 PM, Slacker Mills said:

Scott is probably most likely. Don't even know that Luzardo will be good trade bait. The offseason was the safe way to move him - he's worth a lot less now. Weathers has been a pleasant surprise, but he's a mid-rotation guy at best. Let's face it with Jazz; he's been a bit of a disappointment.

It's tough to be thinking rebuid when there's little in the way of real assets.

Any way you slice it, their trade assets are inferior to the previous rebuild.

That being said, Luzardo is still very valuable. The last outing was among the worst of his career, an anomaly that wrecks his current season stats, but has negligible impact on the overall assessment.

Sandy has the potential to be their top asset in this process.