Agustín Ramírez sets Marlins franchise record in comeback win

[Kevin Barral]

The recent call-up continues to mash MLB pitching and the Marlins are now riding their longest winning streak of the 2025 season.

MIAMI, FL—Agustín Ramírez has only played two games in the majors leagues and he has already made history. The rookie backstop was key in the Marlins' 4-3 comeback win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

One of the three players that the Marlins acquired from the New York Yankees in exchange for Jazz Chisholm Jr., Ramírez finished the night going 3-for-3 with a walk and RBI.

"There's certainly a real talent level," said manager Clayton McCullough. "There's real bat speed, real impact. You're never sure how a young player is going to come in right away and respond to the major league level. His calmness in his plate appearances, what he's swinging at, he's firing at the right pitches and there's a real aggressive approach there and a real threat."

Ramírez is well known for his offensive tools, his power standing out the most. Through eight plate appearances, he's hit three balls with an exit velocity of over 100 mph, most notably his third hit of the night in the bottom of the eighth inning. That made him the first player in franchise history with five hits through two games—he surpassed Dane Myers (2023), Mike Redmond (1998) and Ryan Jackson (1998), who each had four hits through two games.

The one ongoing concern with Ramírez is his defense. Although the Reds didn't come out on top, they stole four bases, with the speedy Elly De La Cruz accounting for two of them. Ramírez also nearly gave the Reds a free baserunner when he dropped a called third strike and rushed the throw to first base.

"He did well both nights receiving the ball," said McCullough. "Thought he really handled both Max (Meyer) and (Edward Cabrera) very well. His ability within the game, talking with our pitchers and coaches as they set up the next inning and to be able to follow the game plan, he's done a very good job in that regard. Had some good blocks again tonight and then some aspects of the game, he'll just have to continue to work on."

Cabrera, who struggled in his last start, was better on Tuesday, going five innings, allowing three runs on five hits, two walks and struck out seven. His sinker averaged 97.3 mph and topped out at 98.9 mph, and although he didn't get many whiffs, he trusted his stuff in the zone. Overall, 50 of his 87 pitches landed for strikes, including going 13-for-22 on first-pitch strikes.

"His breaking balls were outstanding," said McCullough. "The curveball and slider he had going on. We talk a lot about the changeup and the velo. He was just in and around the zone so effectively. Managed his pitch count very well. This was a really good version of Cabrera."

In the top of the third inning, Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte hit his second home run of the season, 431 feet to left field. That was Marte's second home run of the season and it tied the game at 1-1. In the top of the fifth, Cabrera surrendered a go-ahead RBI double to TJ Friedl to make it 2-1.

The Marlins starter went in for the sixth inning, but was unable to record an out. Elly De La Cruz smacked a leadoff base hit to center field and immediately stole second. Cabrera walked Austin Hays to end his outing.

Anthony Veneziano entered in relief of Cabrera. With runners on first and second, De La Cruz stole his ninth base of the season, which then set up a sac fly, giving the Reds a 3-1 lead.

Miami's comeback began in the bottom of the sixth. Ramírez torched a ball 106.7 mph down the third base line, going all the way to the corner in left field, scoring Eric Wagaman all the way from first base. Otto Lopez drove in the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning and Xavier Edwards drove in Lopez with the help of a Graham Ashcraft throwing error to take a 4-3 lead.

With the win, the Marlins are now 11-12 on the season and will have Sandy Alcantara take the mound for the series finale Wednesday at 1:10 pm. The Marlins will look for their first series sweep of the 2025 season on getaway day.

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