Offishial News: Why Marlins' next series has huge Rookie of the Year ramifications

It is a down year for National League rookies. There just have not been many rookie-eligible players getting regular playing time and doing well with it. Two of the exceptions? Miami Marlins catcher/designated hitter Agustín Ramírez and Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick.

If you're reading this, you know all about Ramírez. He leads all rookies—AL and NL combined—with 13 home runs this season. He has posted a 110 wRC+ so far with underlying batted ball data suggesting his production will be even better than that moving forward. However, because of the "DH penalty" and poor defensive performance in the games he catches, Ramírez is on pace for only 0.6 fWAR. Even if we assume his batted ball luck eventually improves and he continues to avoid injuries, BBWAA voters will ding him for that lack of all-around value.

The door is very much open for Patrick, a member of the Brewers rotation since Opening Day who's quietly up to 2.0 fWAR already. He is 24 ⅔ innings clear of any other NL rookie while maintaining a 3.51 ERA. His strikeouts have perked up recently. On the other hand, the Brew Crew has lost five straight games with him on the mound. The 26-year-old is Milwaukee's probable starter for Saturday's contest at loanDepot park.

Patrick's rotation mate, Jacob Misiorowski, could have a "quality over quantity" argument for the award when it's all said and done. The Marlins unfortunately won't get to face him in this series. It'd still be helpful to Ramírez's candidacy if they roughed up Patrick, especially if Gus produces a few runs himself.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 10-5. Graham Pauley is on a heater. He homered twice, both times off one of baseball's best left-handed pitching prospects, Noah Schultz. The Jumbo Shrimp went with yet another bullpen game. Matt Pushard and Anderson Pilar combined to allow eight runs despite neither of them being able to complete a full inning. Double-A Pensacola won, 2-1. Splendid pitching from Robby Snelling (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 87 pitches/55 strikes) and two scoreless frames apiece from Nigel Belgrave and Josh Ekness. High-A Beloit won, 12-5. The Sky Carp drew 13 walks. Jacob Jenkins-Cowart hit his first High-A homer. Low-A Jupiter won, 7-4. PJ Morlando went 2-for-3 with two walks and a stolen bases. DSL Marlins lost, 6-5. Diwarys Encarnacion has driven in 26 runs in 23 games. DSL Miami won, 17-1. Three scoreless innings from Kevin Defrank. Every Miami position player had at least one RBI.

More Marlins news and content below:

🔷 Eury Pérez (6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 80 pitches/51 strikes) dominated the Minnesota Twins for his first major league win in more than two years.

🔷 The Marlins signed right-handers Richard Jiménez and Ramon Sánchez, who had been released while pitching in rookie ball for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, respectively. Because of their previous MiLB experience, these are not considered international amateur signings.

🔷 Sean McCormack explained the various ways that Edward Cabrera has improved this season.

🔷 Ethan Hyatt of Just Baseball proposed a trade sending Cabrera and Jesús Sánchez to the Toronto Blue Jays for Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss and Alan Roden. I don't think that'd be enough value nor enough youth to satisfy the Fish.

🔷 Kevin Barral reported on where Otto Lopez (Canada), Agustín Ramírez (Dominican Republic) and Valente Bellozo (Mexico) stand regarding 2026 World Baseball Classic participation.

🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated through the first 28 series. Become a SuperSub and we'll keep track of your predictions all season long!

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is being investigated by Major League Baseball because of two pitches he threw earlier this season that received unusual gambling activity. The Blue Jays completed a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees to take over first place in the American League East standings. Following another Atlanta Braves loss, the Marlins retook third place in the NL East.

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Sandy Alcantara) host their series opener against the Brewers (RHP Quinn Priester). Alcantara has terrific career numbers against Milwaukee in six previous appearances (2.25 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 26 K in 32.0 IP). The Marlins have a 48.5% chance to win, per FanGraphs. Full organizational schedule below.

🔷 Instead of broadcasting on this Fourth of July holiday, Fish On First LIVE already aired on Thursday night. Enjoy the replay if you couldn't make it in real time. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).

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