Offishial News: The Marlins are Cinderellas of 2025 March Madness

[Ely Sussman]

Today's news roundup also includes the first in-season Marlins roster maneuvers.

This year's NCAA men's basketball tournament has been as chalky as any in recent memory, with the Final Four being comprised of the No. 1 seeds from each region. How lame! Inexplicable hot streaks make sports much more compelling.

At least in Major League Baseball, we're witnessing one of those "Cinderella" runs from the Miami Marlins. Widely projected to be non-competitive in 2025 (even before getting inundated by injuries in spring training), the Marlins are 3-1. Each of their victories have come in walk-off fashion, the latest being on a wild pitch. A bullpen built primarily with former waiver claims was terrific against the Pittsburgh Pirates, helped by a handful of highlights from the outfield defense. It is Miami's best five-game start to a season since 2020.

Will there be one more unlikely win tonight before April begins, or could this continue even after the calendar flips?

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 The Marlins now have nine players on the major league injured list. Jesús Tinoco suffered a left low back strain. Right-hander Luarbert Arias was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. One of my 2025 Call-Up Contest picks, Arias will likely make his MLB debut during the upcoming series whenever a low-leverage situation presents itself (there weren't many of those against the Pirates).

🔷 Another fresh arm, Xzavion Curry, joined the pitching staff on Sunday at the expense of Valente Bellozo. Barring injury to another Marlins pitcher, Bellozo won't be eligible to be brought back up to the majors until April 14.

🔷 Seth Martinez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville, so he'll stick around the organization as bullpen depth.

🔷 The Marlins released 14 prospects to comply with Major League Baseball's roster limits. I was most surprised to see outfielder Jake DeLeo on the list—he was their sixth-round draft pick in 2023. Also in minor league news, former Marlins Top 30 prospect José Gerardo is being converted from an outfielder to a pitcher. Gerardo always had terrific raw power, but he struck out in 38.9% of his career plate appearances in rookie ball.

🔷 I was one of the few people who collected points during the first Prediction Time of the 2025 season. Understandably, there was widespread pessimism considering how the Marlins stumbled out of the starting gate last year.

 

🔷 Prep right-hander Seth Hernandez is next up in Hector Rodriguez's series of 2025 MLB Draft prospect profiles.

🔷 If David Weathers hadn't suffered an injury on a bunt attempt, Mike Ferguson wonders whether he would have completed the first no-hitter in Marlins history.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals remain undefeated. The Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins—all of whom finished above .500 in 2024—are winless. The Yankees tied an all-time major league record by homering 15 times in their first three games. Several of their players have been utilizing customized bats that current Marlins field coordinator Aaron Leanhardt helped create during his tenure with the club.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Cal Quantrill) host the New York Mets (LHP David Peterson). With this being the third straight lefty that the Marlins are facing, it will be a test of how strict the new coaching staff is about platooning. They have a 39.0% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 6:40 p.m.

🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE from 5:30-6:30 p.m. streaming on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).

 

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[Ely Sussman]

Player stats from the first weekend of Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball.

They're off today and begin their first full-length series tomorrow.

[Hans Herrera]

I'm not the biggest fan of Bellozo, but he continues to prove that he's a decent option for the 5th spot (or 3rd spot, in this case). I'll take 4.1 innings of 1-run ball any day, and he could have completed 5 innings for sure.

I guess sending him down has more to bring a fresh arm to the bullpen, as a 5th starter won't be needed until the 8th of April, at least I hope it's that.

[Hans Herrera]

9 minutes ago, Ely Sussman said:

Player stats from the first weekend of Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp baseball.

They're off today and begin their first full-length series tomorrow.

Interesting to see the age groups!

Pitching staff: No pure "prospect" (younger than 25) but lots of 26-27, so there's still a tiny bit of room for improvement. Only two pitchers older than 27 and none above 29.

Position players: 8 out of 12 players are 25 or younger! I think this is great. More importantly, the "youngsters" are actually the ones playing most of the time, as Almora, Navarreto, and Winkler were on the bench most of the weekend.

DLS and Ramírez: 7 and 5 strikeouts... ouch!

[MARLIN joe]

Bellozo is such a fun pitcher to watch I hate they sent him down. Hopefully he is back up in April. Yes, I know how "lucky" he has been, but analytics doesn't have a stat that measures heart.

[rurrusuno]

Let's flip those M's!

[One Regend]

11 hours ago, MARLIN joe said:

Bellozo is such a fun pitcher to watch I hate they sent him down. Hopefully he is back up in April. Yes, I know how "lucky" he has been, but analytics doesn't have a stat that measures heart.

It's because the bullpen has been taxed (only one starter went past 5 innings -- Max Meyer), and the Marlins needed fresh arms. With their current schedule, they don't need a 5th starter (who Bellozo is) until April 8th. At least that's what I think makes sense.