Marlins parting with Kevin Randel after 24 seasons with organization

[Ely Sussman]

The Miami Marlins are saying goodbye to one of their longest-tenured employees. According to Fish On First's Isaac Azout, they will not be retaining Kevin Randel for the 2026 season.

"Smoke" Randel was the franchise's 13th-round pick in the 2002 MLB Draft out of Cal State Long Beach. Playing primarily second base across eight minor league seasons, he slashed .267/.374/.439 with 83 home runs and 82 stolen bases. Randel made it as high as the Triple-A level, then transitioned to coaching after the 2009 campaign.

Randel's first opportunity as a manager came with Low-A Greensboro in 2015. Most recently, he led Double-A Pensacola for four seasons. The Blue Wahoos won the 2022 Southern League championship with a roster that included future big leaguers like Eury Pérez, Griffin Conine and Troy Johnston. Randel's 275 total wins from 2021-2024 is an all-time Pensacola team record.

Nelson Prada took over as the Blue Wahoos skipper entering 2025, with Randel serving as a roving instructor for the Marlins. That position is being eliminated by the player development department moving forward, per FOF sources.

Still only 44 years old, Randel ought to have ample opportunities to continue working elsewhere in coaching/player development if he's interested in doing so.

View full rumor