2025 Marlins literally have a Triple-A lineup

[Ely Sussman]

In the aftermath of the Jake Burger trade, the Marlins' position player group has an astounding lack of experience and marketability.

The foundation of a perennially competitive major league team must include great position players. How can you tell that the Miami Marlins are deep in the wilderness of a rebuild? They don't have a single candidate who you can confidently forecast to become one.

On the pitching side, their outlook is more encouraging between the imminent return of Sandy Alcantara, the eventual return of Eury Pérez and the ascension of Thomas White, just to name a few. However, all across MLB, the impact of individual pitchers has been diminished in recent years. Between the frequency of their injuries and the proactive steps taken to prevent said injuries, their workloads have been reduced. It's no coincidence that each of the nine largest contracts in league history have gone to dudes who rake instead of arms who shove (though one unicorn on that list combines the best of both).

Meanwhile, none of the Marlins' hitters are under guaranteed contracts beyond the 2025 season. Miami has traded away several extension-worthy players over the past year. Those who remain are frighteningly inconsistent and unestablished. Throughout much of the Bruce Sherman era, the Marlins have struggled to score runs. You've probably seen fans—out of frustration—deride them for fielding a "Triple-A lineup," but that characterization is especially on point right now.

I published an updated Opening Day roster projection earlier this week sans Jake Burger. It includes a potential starting lineup that collectively has 38% more career plate appearances against Triple-A competition (6,515) than MLB competition (4,692).

To help you digest that, here is a rundown of every position player on the Marlins 40-man roster. Many of them were tasked with repeating AAA at some point rather than quickly matriculating to The Show like great talents typically do. Six of them don't even have MLB experience yet. The two "veterans" of the group (Jesús Sánchez and Nick Fortes) have been below-average hitters by wRC+ during the course of their big league careers.

• Jesús Sánchez - 1,562 PA in MLB | 500 PA in AAA
• Nick Fortes - 932 MLB | 272 AAA
• Jonah Bride - 565 MLB | 731 AAA
• Vidal Bruján - 550 MLB | 1,016 AAA
• Derek Hill - 476 MLB | 941 AAA
• Otto Lopez - 445 MLB | 980 AAA
• Xavier Edwards - 387 MLB | 952 AAA
• Kyle Stowers - 340 MLB | 1,047 AAA
• Connor Norby - 194 MLB | 1,115 AAA
• Dane Myers - 178 MLB | 390 AAA
• Griffin Conine - 89 MLB | 528 AAA
• Jhonny Pereda - 40 MLB | 793 AAA
• Javier Sanoja - 36 MLB | 492 AAA
• Graham Pauley - 32 MLB | 321 AAA
• Deyvison De Los Santos - 0 MLB | 421 AAA
• Victor Mesa Jr. - 0 MLB | 355 AAA
• Agustin Ramírez - 0 MLB | 287 AAA
• Jared Serna - 0 MLB | 23 AAA
• Max Acosta - 0 MLB | 0 AAA
• Liam Hicks - 0 MLB | 0 AAA

This does not mean that the Marlins are doomed to be shut out every single game. Their batting order was filled with nobodies during the post-trade deadline portion of 2024, yet the offense got better than it had been prior to the deadline. While Burger was their top offensive producer down the stretch, Edwards, Bride and Lopez were close behind. Norby and Conine had exciting flashes, too.

It's just such a young unit with few accolades and so much to prove. Most fans (understandably) won't be giving them the benefit of the doubt or investing time and money to watch them. I sympathize with the Marlins' marketing department because it'll be tough to formulate a compelling sales pitch that doesn't revolve around opposing players or non-baseball attractions. The starting pitcher possibilities are alluring (health permitting), but that won't convert prospective customers into season ticket holders—recognizable everyday players move that needle.

The Marlins front office still has a few months to fill out the roster with reputable role players. As currently constructed, though, it looks like this season is being devoted to maximizing Sherman's profits and 2026 draft position.

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[rurrusuno]

Well said Ely!

The batting order is indeed a Triple A lineup. I don't see how any of these players could be marketed on a commercial, billboard, or even an email. Probably Jesus Sanchez at best due to seniority? Maybe even Nick Fortes as well? Sandy, Luzardo, and Eury are their best bests for marketing proposals next season. 

In all my seasons of following the Fish, this isn't the first time they've had a triple A lineup, and probably isn't the last either. I expect us to be dead in runs again in the NL. There's a saying that's usually associated with football, but can apply to any sport really, and that's "offense sells tickets/ defense wins games." How can the fan base be excited when our fan favorite players are constantly being replaced by dudes that aren't well known in the MLB? People come to the games because they want to see offense. Sure, it's exciting when a pitcher gets to strike out a threat at the plate when there's 2 men on base late in the game. However, home runs, triples, doubles, stolen bases, runs being driven in, and runs being scored are what people want to see when they come to a major league game. This Marlins team currently just doesn't have players that are known for that. 

There's a reason why position players are getting all these big contracts. They are more valuable and can affect the game with one swing of the bat. Already, the big question for next offseason is; who will Vlad Jr sign with and for how much? 

[Chad Turner]

Great article.  Quad A at best.  

I honestly believe that a complete teardown and rebuild was necessary though.  There's no way for a low budget team to compete without a top 5 farm.  We were bottom 5.  Other teams were grossly outspending us (and outsmarting us) in player development,  It's the right move to allocate money there instead of middling FAs that no one else wants.  Let the kids play!  

In a few years we should start seeing positive results in the major leagues from having 2 DSL teams and player development spending. .  The Burger trade package had one thing in common - youth.  They are all 2 years ahead of schedule.  

Some of our young pitching will be in AA this year.  In '27 they will be pushing for MLB starting roles.  Avi (and likely Sandy) will be off the books.  That will be the time to break the bank and spend.  

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

I think the question you posed in the first paragraph is reasonable. While I don't believe the Soto signing directly moved the Marlins, surely the brain trust has a multi-year plan in mind in which Burger's presence was overridden by (hopefully) filling the team's many needs. I hate to lose him, especially when he is so amenable to his circumstances, is so cheap, and the trade further exacerbates fan perceptions that the organization is dysfunctional. Still, we have no choice except to believe that the big picture will come into focus starting in 2025. We'll see many players who fit into the designed plan get ABs and innings. Some will be evaluated, some showcased, and all will audition for their futures. If anything, as we cringe with what might be, baseball is often counterintuitive. This past season, the Royals and the A's overachieved. Circumstances are always different, of course, but those of us who stay with the Marlins are on the Bendix Express. He's flying it and we better hope he is competent. I, for one, am fascinated to see this near-total remake play out. 

[2qbn]

Great article. Great comments.

I actually want to contribute to this issue by having them play DLS and Ramirez. :) Let them play!

Expecting them to find some average major leaguer to add to the outfield group is my guess. I wouldn't be opposed to it. That being said, let the young guys play and maybe some become the guys we are marketing next season.

[One Regend]

This is entirely by design. I wanted them to strip this team down to the bone, and leave no survivors. They did exactly that.

The only valuable guys they couldn't get rid of were guys that still had multiple controllable years and were coming off of a major injury that they still need to prove won't hamper them moving forward. They were in desperate need of a youth movement after all of their prospects flamed out in 2021, and they are finally in one.

I expect to see DLS and Agustin Ramirez in the lineup at some point in 2025.

[BMK3]

I understand rebuilds and the Marlins farm needed upgrades but while you are building you still have to have FUN.  The Burger deal infuriated me.  He is a major leaguer. If any of the guys we got for him make the big leagues we will be lucky.  He had four years of control.  Give him a seven year, team friendly contract and he will play for you for seven years.  Maybe he hits 3rd or 4th for a couple of years and then 6th or 7th or his contract can eventually be moved because it is reasonable but he will add to the FUN for a while.

I enjoy watching young players develop as well as the next guy, perhaps even more. Watching minor league teams that just cannot score is NOT FUN!!!

[One Regend]

Quote

I enjoy watching young players develop as well as the next guy, perhaps even more. Watching minor league teams that just cannot score is NOT FUN!!!

I get that we're tired of losing, but this needed to happen. We were going absolutely nowhere with the Jazz player core. Yes, minor league teams that don't score isn't fun, but what is even less fun is a major league team that doesn't score. (the 2018-2023 era) That's what ultimately doomed them.

Here's to hoping the offensive prospects we received actually develops. The best we can hope for is building at least a major league average offense and a killers row rotation.

[Slacker Mills]

Hard to imagine that X Edwards is not catching some love here. He's Luis Arraez with speed and more defensive ability. Otto Lopez is on the rise.

I can't get on board the Ramirez or De Los Santos trains. DLS came up very short at Jacksonville last season. Ramirez would have a brighter looking future if he could throw out even the occasional base stealer.

Jesus Luzardo could have been traded for some huge value a year ago (as in two positional regulars from a team like the Cubs.) Alcantara would have garnered a very big haul the year before.

I've got a gut feeling that Bendix is in way over his head despite the fact that he is merely splashing around in the shallow end.

[One Regend]

17 hours ago, Slacker Mills said:

Hard to imagine that X Edwards is not catching some love here. He's Luis Arraez with speed and more defensive ability. Otto Lopez is on the rise.

I can't get on board the Ramirez or De Los Santos trains. DLS came up very short at Jacksonville last season. Ramirez would have a brighter looking future if he could throw out even the occasional base stealer.

Jesus Luzardo could have been traded for some huge value a year ago (as in two positional regulars from a team like the Cubs.) Alcantara would have garnered a very big haul the year before.

I've got a gut feeling that Bendix is in way over his head despite the fact that he is merely splashing around in the shallow end.

The hope is that DLS fares way better than Monte Harrison/Isan Diaz/Lewis Brinson did at the plate. And Ramirez is not a catcher; trying to force him into a catcher's role is a fool's errand.

I think what Bendix tried to do is pick up these 1B/DH prospects and hope at least one of them turns out. The Marlins have been dead last in OPS for the past 6 years and that needed to change.

I would've rather picked up a middle infielder instead, but teams won't trade shortstop prospects, and the only middle infielders teams feel like trading are 5'7 infielders with 15-20 HR bats that won't be sustainable.

[BMK3]

On 12/15/2024 at 6:19 PM, One Regend said:

I get that we're tired of losing, but this needed to happen. We were going absolutely nowhere with the Jazz player core. Yes, minor league teams that don't score isn't fun, but what is even less fun is a major league team that doesn't score. (the 2018-2023 era) That's what ultimately doomed them.

Here's to hoping the offensive prospects we received actually develops. The best we can hope for is building at least a major league average offense and a killers row rotation.

I agree.  A killer rotation and especially a bullpen with an average offense is doable.  That's why you lock down a Xavier Edwards and Jake Burger to be around bigger bats. When you have years of control and negotiating strength, use it.