Marlins rake in Coors Field series finale; top 2024 AFL candidates

On Thursday, the Marlins set a new season high with 18 hits (a collective .400 BA). Thank you very much, Coors Field. Derek Hill hit two home runs—both against right-handed pitchers—and Kyle Stowers boosted his 2024 stat line closer to respectability by going 8-for-17 during the series. Connor Norby now has the third-longest hitting streak to begin a Marlins career, trailing only the 12-game streaks of Gary Sheffield (1993) and Juan Pierre (2003). Predictably, Valente Bellozo's heavy reliance on fly balls did not mix well with the high altitude (4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 74 pitches/46 strikes). The Marlins won, 12-8.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 12-7. 1B Deyvison De Los Santos doubled and homered, his 36th long ball of the season. RHP Emmanuel Ramirez allowed seven runs (six earned) in his relief appearance to let the game get out of hand. LHP Josh Simpson pitched on back-to-back days in what should mark the end of his rehab assignment. Simpson isn't yet back to his pre-injury form, so I think the most likely outcome is him getting optioned to the minors (wouldn't be completely shocked if he was designated for assignment). Double-A Pensacola won, 8-7. INF Jared Serna (2-3, HR, BB) continues to thrive. C Joe Mack and 1B Nathan Martorella also homered off of David Fletcher's knuckleball. High-A Beloit won, 6-2. 1B Brock Vradenburg (4-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI) had the best game of his professional career and LHP Thomas White (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 84 pitches/50 strikes) continues to be incredibly consistent. Low-A Jupiter won, 3-2. The Florida Complex League announced its 2024 season awards. Luis Dorante Sr. was named FCL Manager of the Year while RHP Juan De La Cruz and LHP Manuel Medina were All-Star selections. After allowing an earned run in his season debut, Medina didn't allow another over his last 19 ⅓ innings pitched.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 The Marlins are sending LHP Justin King to the Arizona Fall League, Fish On First has learned. Alex Carver named six more players who could benefit from getting extra reps in the desert.

🔷 Jake Burger is a borderline candidate for Super Two status this offseason. I explained what that means and projected how his 2025 salary could be impacted.

🔷 Former Marlins president David Samson was our special guest on The Offishial Show. Samson tells us that he'll be in attendance at loanDepot park next week to support newly recalled Griffin Conine.

🔷 Through 43 Marlins series, here's an updated look at the Prediction Time leaderboard. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Tommy Pham, Thairo Estrada and Taylor Rogers are among the veteran players who have been placed on waivers. They would be postseason eligible if claimed by other teams on Saturday. The Reds won a wild game despite the best efforts of Athletics outfielders JJ Bleday and Lawrence Butler, who combined for four homers and a spectacular double play. Blue Jays RHP Bowden Francis has been practically unhittable over his last four starts (6 H in 29.0 IP).

🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Adam Oller) take on the Giants (LHP Blake Snell). Snell is coming off a messy six-walk outing, but in eight starts prior to that, he was MLB's hottest pitcher (1.03 ERA and 70 K in 52.1 IP). The Marlins have a 30.8% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 10:15 p.m. ET.

🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE today from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. FOF LIVE is presented by Berger & Hicks. If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, give them a call at (305) 670-7050.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule: 

• Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Norfolk, 7:05 p.m. ET
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Mississippi, 7:05 p.m. ET
• High-A Beloit vs. Peoria, 7:35 p.m. ET
• Low-A Jupiter at St. Lucie, 6:10 p.m. ET

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