Way-too-early 2026 Marlins Opening Day roster projection

Forecasting the outcomes of roster battles was a headache at this time a year ago for a Miami Marlins team relying on so many inexperienced and unheralded players. Following a franchise-best 17-win improvement from the previous season, the exercise is slightly easier entering 2026, and expectations will be higher for the players who make the cut.

“I think that in 2026, we’re going to have a really competitive, exciting team. The goal remains to be as good as we can for as long as possible and to build a team that’s competing for the NL East division every single year,” president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said at his annual end-of-year press conference.

Agustín Ramírez, Jakob Marsee and several other members of Miami's historically successful rookie class have earned opportunities to stick at the big league level. In the rotation, assuming everyone remains healthy and with the team, the Marlins could feature one of the most formidable starting fives in all of baseball.

As the season unfolds, another wave of high-upside prospects is due to arrive at loanDepot park, reinforcing both the lineup and pitching staff. However, keep in mind that this projection applies specifically to Opening Day. These are not necessarily the 26 "best" players in the Marlins organization—they are the ones with the easiest path to begin the 2026 season on the active roster.

Position Players

Default starting lineup:
C Agustín Ramírez, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Xavier Edwards, 3B Connor Norby, SS Otto Lopez, LF Kyle Stowers, CF Jakob Marsee, RF Griffin Conine, DH Heriberto Hernández 

Bench:
C/1B Liam Hicks, UTIL Javier Sanoja, 3B Graham Pauley, OF Joey Wiemer 

After remaining in the playoff picture mathematically until the final week of the season, it’s fair to assume Miami will be more aggressive in free agency than in years past. Reports already indicate that the Marlins will look for outside help at the corner infield spots as well as in the bullpen.

If there’s one position that desperately needs an upgrade in production, it’s first base. That’s where future Hall of Famer Paul Goldschmidt comes in.

Goldschmidt, 38, while long removed from his MVP days, can still provide meaningful offense and defense in 2026—should he decide to continue playing. The right-handed hitter slashed .274/.328/.403 for the New York Yankees in 2025.

As a unit, Marlins first basemen in 2025—primarily a combination of Eric Wagaman, Matt Mervis, and Liam Hicks—ranked 24th in MLB in fWAR (-0.5) and 28th in wRC+ (83). Even after one of the least productive seasons of his career, Goldschmidt would be an instant upgrade at the position and bring much-needed veteran leadership to a young clubhouse.

2026 could be a make-or-break year for Connor Norby, who struggled to stay healthy and produce in his second year with Miami. He posted a below-average 90 wRC+ in 88 games with minus-4 outs above average at third base. The Marlins seem adamant about keeping Norby at third base for the time being.

On the catching front, it’s only a matter of time until Fish On First’s No. 2 prospect Joe Mack fully takes over the position, mercifully sparing fans from watching Ramírez behind the plate as often. Delaying Mack's call-up until mid-April would delay his free agent eligibility until after the 2032 season.

The outfield promises to be a strength for Miami, highlighted by Stowers and Marsee, who figure to anchor the top of the lineup for years to come. Conine, who missed a large chunk of the 2025 season due to a left shoulder dislocation, will get most of his opportunities against right-handed pitching. He’ll likely platoon with Wiemer or Dane Myers.

Just missed:
C Joe Mack, OF Dane Myers

Pitchers

Starting rotation: RHP Sandy Alcantara, RHP Edward Cabrera, RHP Eury Pérez, LHP Ryan Weathers, RHP Janson Junk 

Bullpen: RHP Ronny Henriquez, RHP Calvin Faucher, RHP Lake Bachar, RHP Tyler Phillips, RHP Michael Petersen, LHP Josh Simpson, RHP Anthony Bender, LHP Cade Gibson 

Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez both successfully returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 and finished the year healthy with solid performances down the stretch. Alcantara is owed $17.3 million next season before a club option worth $21 million for 2027.

Unlike last winter, Bendix was noncommittal about Alcantara’s future with the club. “I’m not going to speculate on any individual player,” Bendix said. “We’re always looking for ways to improve our club, and I’m going to stay as disciplined as possible in doing that.”

Weathers, if he can stay healthy, will continue to serve as the lone left-hander in the rotation. Junk, a minor league free agent signee last winter, is out of minor league options and will likely be given every opportunity to break camp with the Marlins.

As for the bullpen, Ronny Henriquez will remain their highest-leverage arm following a historically dominant 2025 season. Despite a rough campaign, Josh Simpson figures to stay in the mix—especially after a strong finish, allowing no earned runs in his final six appearances.

Lefties Braxton Garrett and Andrew Nardi used to be integral pieces of Miami's pitching staff, but it's premature to project either of them to earn back their jobs coming off extended injury absences.

Just missed:
LHP Braxton Garrett, LHP Andrew Nardi, RHP Max Meyer