How moves on the margins propelled the Marlins to a surprising season

Within every surprising season, there are unlikely contributors. The 2025 Miami Marlins were widely projected—including by the Fish On First staff—to win no more than 70 games. Instead, they finished 79-83, which was good enough for third place in the NL East. In the absence of splashy moves involving veterans with long MLB track records, Miami's relative success compared to preseason expectations was the result of a series of small, smart acquisitions.

The Fish netted 6.2 fWAR from the combination of Janson Junk (2.5 fWAR), Ronny Henriquez (1.3 fWAR), Heriberto Hernández (1.3 fWAR), Liam Hicks (1.0 fWAR), and Tyler Phillips (0.1 fWAR). These players were not held in high regard by other teams around the league, which made them attainable via minor league free agency, the Rule 5 draft, waiver claims and cash trades. Credit goes to the Marlins for identifying their upside.

Janson Junk, a career-long journeyman, found his footing with the Marlins this season after stints with the Angels, Athletics, and Brewers. Junk dialed in his mechanics over the offseason while training at the well-known Driveline Baseball facility. That made him a natural target for the Marlins, whose new director of pitching, Bill Hezel, had worked several years at Driveline himself.

Junk needed to be patient and prove himself with Triple-A Jacksonville throughout April and most of May. Once called up, he posted a 4.17 ERA with a 3.15 FIP in 110 innings pitched over 21 appearances (16 starts). He established a new all-time franchise-low walk rate while working for a league-minimum salary.

Junk now has the future outlook of a fifth starter. 

Ronny Henriquez was claimed off waivers from the Twins on Feb. 11. Immediately, the undersized righty emerged as arguably the best reliever for the Marlins. In 73 innings pitched this season, Henriquez posted a 2.22 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 32.3 K%, and he led all Marlins pitchers in chase%, whiff%, and xBA. 

Henriquez was the difference between winning or losing several tight games in 2025. He could make an even greater impact moving forward now that the Marlins fully understand what a weapon they have in him. On top of that, having cheap, long-term control over Henriquez allows the team to allocate money towards different areas of the roster. 

More than nine years removed from the start of his professional career, Tyler Phillips finally made his MLB debut for the 2024 Phillies as mostly a starter. When the Phillies decided there was no room for Phillips on their Opening Day roster this year, the Marlins picked him up for cash considerations and transitioned him to the bullpen.

The Marlins tinkered with Phillips' pitch mix—they upped his sinker, curveball, and splitter usage and dropped his four-seam and sweeper usage. That led to him generating a shocking amount of chase on pitches outside the strike zone. Phillips ended the season with 77 ⅔ innings, a 2.78 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 55.6 GB%, and limited damage with a 5.1 barrel%.

Like Henriquez, Phillips gradually became a mainstay in high-leverage situations. His 2.33 WPA was tops on the Marlins pitching staff.

Onto the hitters, Heriberto Hernández spent the previous four seasons in Tampa Bay's minor league system prior to being signed by the Marlins as a minor-league free agent in December 2024. As former general manager of the Rays, Peter Bendix was familiar with Hernández from the period when they overlapped in Tampa. 

After a midseason call-up, Hernández posted a .266/.347/.438 slash line for a 118 wRC+ and .341 wOBA. The 25-year-old rookie was an above-league-average hitter for 87 games and contributed through his defense as well with 5 OAA.

Even for an organization that is deep with other outfield options, Hernández has moved up the depth chart and may have found himself a role as a platoon hitter.

Liam Hicks spent all of 2024 in Double-A in the Rangers and Tigers organizations. The Canadian native stood out in the Rule 5 draft due to being a catcher whose hitting profile didn't rely on his power, but instead his contact ability and patient approach.

Hicks put up a .247/.346/.346 slash line with a 98 wRC+ and .313 wOBA. He split time between catcher and first base for the Marlins. Given the circumstance of skipping Triple-A and going straight to the big leagues, he had an impressive year.

Hicks posted better numbers vs. RHP with a 104 wRC+, justifying a significant spot on the Marlins roster even if his defense behind the plate continues to be sub-par. He had a 90.8% contact rate on pitches in the zone and ranked in the 90th percentile or better in whiff% and chase%. 

As a small-market team, the Marlins must find ways to be cost-efficient. That is a trait shared by perennial postseason qualifiers such as the Rays, Brewers, and Guardians. Bendix's front office has to annually supplement the roster with quality big leaguers who were overlooked by their old teams, and that requires operating outside the box.

It was encouraging to see the Marlins create valuable pieces out of nothing in 2025. If they can do the same in 2026 while also spending what it takes to complete a few major moves that address their biggest weaknesses, the Fish could exceed expectations yet again.