Kyle Stowers ready to make more adjustments, live up to raised expectations

JUPITER, FL—Kyle Stowers drew attention during his first spring training in the Miami Marlins organization, but for the wrong reasons. In Grapefruit League games, he went 7-for-40 with a .540 OPS and looked like a candidate to be optioned to the minor leagues. It was a continuation of the 2024 season in terms of being unable to unlock the raw power that the Marlins desperately needed to add to their lineup.

One year later, as Marlins position players reported to camp for Monday's first full-squad workout, Stowers was surrounded by reporters at his clubhouse locker and by fans once the workout began. That's what happens when you slash .288/.368/.544/.912 with 25 home runs, 73 RBI and a 149 wRC+ in what was an All-Star-worthy 2025 season.

"I think the good news is, if I played poorly in spring, everyone would be like, 'Oh, he's right on pace with last year,'" Stowers said jokingly.

"Kyle just went out there and continually made adjustments," said manager Clayton McCullough. "And he's gonna have to make adjustments again this year...If you don't adjust in the major leagues, you won't last long." 

Stowers and the Marlins were engaged in contract extension talks this offseason. The Athletic reported that the sides were far apart, with Stowers' camp asking for about $100M and the Marlins valuing him closer to $50M. The 28-year-old outfielder confirmed that no formal offer was made and disputed the $100M figure.

"I'm just so focused on this year," said Stowers. "I got four years of control left. I understand it and you have every right to play my control out. I'm just so excited to be here, so grateful to be in this organization. Was bummed we didn't get something figured out. Would love to someday, but at the same time, let's take care of this year and we'll go from there."

Stowers missed the final quarter of the season due to an oblique strain, but comes into camp 100% healthy. He will not let himself "lose the competitive side of things" just because his roster spot is more secure entering 2026. Marlins principal owner Bruce Sherman applied some extra pressure during his Monday morning press conference, saying that "our expectations are really high for him." Becoming a father for the first time earlier this month gives him even more motivation to avoid complacency.

"I've gone into every single spring training my entire career to compete for a job...It's not a passive process. I don't want to lose that edge."

Stowers expects his teammates to adopt a similar mentality despite the Marlins' 17-win improvement from the year before.

"The reality of it is all 30 teams are trying to get better. From the Dodgers to the last-place team, every single team at the end of the season looks to improve," said Stowers. "The notion that because we won however many games one year, then that many the next, there's not going to be that same guarantee of increase, and we know that. You got to have hunger to go earn it and continue to get as much as we can out of each day."

Quick Notes

- Miami Marlins chairman and principle owner Bruce Sherman and president of baseball operations Peter Bendix addressed the media.

- All 72 players who were invited to Marlins camp have reported on time, per Clayton McCullough.

- The following pitchers threw on Monday: Braxton Garrett, Eury Pérez, Pete Fairbanks, Garrett Acton, Michael Petersen, Bradley Blalock, Patrick Monteverde, Thomas White, Josh White, Dale Stanavich and Karson Milbrandt.

- Monday was also our first opportunity to see Griffin Conine and Christopher Morel participating in defensive drills as first basemen. Neither of them have any prior professional experience at the position.