'He just keeps getting better': Javier Sanoja's ascension continues

MIAMI —  "Too small." "No power." "Utility player."

Javier Sanoja has heard it all. Overlooked and undervalued as a prospect, there continued to be skepticism about Sanoja's ceiling coming off a solid rookie season in 2025. He has responded with easily the best stretch of his young career during the latter half of this season, providing value in ways that few thought possible.

Sanoja went yard for the eleventh time on Saturday afternoon in Miami's 8-3 loss to the visiting Braves. Five of those have come since the calendar flipped to September.

To put his spike of thump into perspective, Sanoja never homered more than seven times in any of his minor league seasons. In his first 111 games as a big leaguer between 2024 and 2025, he tallied seven.

"Another ball they got elevating the zone and he put a great swing on it," said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough postgame. "it was definitely improved physicality from last year to this year. He is really, really locked in on what he's firing at, particularly in early counts. His timing and his bat path is as good a place as they they've been for two years, and then also the improved decision-making early in counts, it's a big reason why the production rate came in such a positive way."

Since returning from the All-Star break, Sanoja's numbers are gaudy. A .320/.357/.507 slash line with 25 extra-base hits has flipped what was a solid second full season into a great one. In addition to the newfound pop, his 24-game on-base streak is the longest for a Miami Marlin since Jon Berti in 2022.

Also, Sanoja's trademark glove has maintained its pedigree after earning the utility National League Gold Glove a year ago. Taking on a growing role at third base, Sanoja's advanced defensive metrics have remained outstanding. A plus-5 Defensive Runs Saved and plus-6 Outs Above Average place "El Chiquito" in elite company amongst those at the hot corner.

Perhaps most exciting about Sanoja is how much more time he has to get even better. Weeks removed from his 24th birthday, Sanoja ranks second on the team in bWAR behind only Otto López. After making an unplanned transition into an everyday player this season, he's made a compelling case to be a staple of the Marlins lineup moving forward.

"He just keeps getting better," added McCullough. "And we're still seeing a very young player that is improving at the major league level in all factors...He's more than just a little player that can kind of move around."

Miami's season finale in 2026 comes your way at 3:10 pm on Sunday afternoon. Janson Junk takes the ball for McCullough in Game 162.