Ely Sussman

Monday's GamesMarlins Podcast Episodes Monday's Marlins roster moves: Enmanuel De Jesus was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville and Jeff Lindgren was optioned to make room for him. This transaction occurred on the first day that De Jesus was eligible to be recalled after previously being sent down on September 10 (15 days prior). My suspicion is that De Jesus will be on standby for mop-up duty today before getting replaced by Huascar Brazoban on Wednesday.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks lost. They blew three separate leads to the Yankees and fell behind for good in the eighth inning. The Marlins are one game back of both the second (D-backs) and third (Cubs) Wild Card spots.Elsewhere around the majors, Justin Verlander (8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) pitched arguably his best game of the season to beat the Mariners. The Rangers blasted back-to-back-to-back home runs to secure their sixth straight win.We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 6:00 p.m. ET on /Twitch/Twitter. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/Kevin Barral is giving away a 2024 Marlins magnet schedule on the stream. Follow and reply to him before then for a chance to win it.The Marlins have a 47.5% chance to win their series opener against the Mets, per FanGraphs. Double-A Pensacola (7:05 p.m. ET) is hosting a must-win Game 2 of the Southern League Championship Series. LHP Luis Palacios is their probable starter.With six games left, Glenn Geffner's View from the Bleachers breaks down the status of the Marlins and the two teams they're chasing in the Wild Card race.The Marlins are teaming up with bars and restaurants to host local watch parties for each game of this season-defining road trip. Tonight's event is at Sports & Social in Dolphin Mall, tomorrow's will be at Sandbar Sports Grill, etc.On this day 20 years ago, the Marlins defeated the Mets to clinch a postseason berth. , the Marlins returned to the field following the tragic death of teammate José Fernández. Bearing Fernández's name and number on the back of his uniform, Dee Strange-Gordon, who had not homered all season, took Bartolo Colon deep. Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First

Sunday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-brewers-9-24-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/24/d5f36b0e-470115f4-fcb1813d-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4 Marlins Podcast Episodes Prior to Sunday's Marlins game, 1B Troy Johnston (Player of the Year), LHP Patrick Monteverde (Pitcher of the Year), INF/OF Xavier Edwards (Jacksonville MVP), C Will Banfield (Pensacola MVP), OF/1B Jake Thompson (Beloit MVP), OF/INF Javier Sanoja (Jupiter MVP), INF Jesús Hernández (FCL Marlins), INF Erick Lara (DSL Marlins MVP), OF Andres Valor (DSL Miami MVP), INF Jordan McCants (Service Member of the Year) and LHP Julio Mendez (Student of the Year) were presented with their 2023 Minor League Awards.Six different Marlins had multi-hit games in Sunday's rubber match against the Brewers, including multiple home runs for Jon Berti (just the second time in his career that he's done that). Edward Cabrera bested his own Statcast-era record for highest changeup velocity. Cabrera's curveball was great in this start, too. He's got a 1.89 ERA since being recalled from Triple-A. Tanner Scott joined Kyle Barraclough (2016) as the only Marlins pitchers to amass 100 strikeouts in relief in a single season.The Marlins' 81st win ensures a non-losing record for the first time in a full-length season since 2009. They went 46-35 in home games. They would have to advance to the NLDS to play at LoanDepot Park again.Boarding the team plane for the final road trip of the regular season, all of the rookies fittingly dressed in marlin costumes. In the background of those photos, unfortunately, you can see that Luis Arraez is still wearing a walking boot on his ailing left ankle.Listen back to Sunday's State of the Fish Twitter Space hosted by Grant Kiefer.NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Reds won, while the Giants lost. Old friend Zac Gallen shoved six scoreless innings against the Yankees. That Giants defeat essentially ends their postseason push. It'll be four teams fighting for two spots entering the final week of the regular season. The Marlins are one game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, the Rangers have regained control of the AL West after sweeping the Mariners and watching the Royals pull off a stunning road sweep of the Astros. Michael Lorenzen, who's been utilized as a starter over the last two seasons, recorded his first save as a Phillie.Alex Carver spoke to Troy Johnston about the strides he's made to become one of the most productive players in Minor League Baseball. Kevin Barral recorded his .https://fishonfirst.com/farm/troy-johnston-2023-player-of-the-year-award/As revealed through the team's magnet schedule giveaway, Friday night Marlins home games in 2024 will begin at 7:10 p.m. Other weeknight games will remain at 6:40 p.m. (as has been the case in recent seasons).Son Los Marlins recaps the Jupiter Hammerheads' run to the Florida State League championship.On this day seven years ago, a boating accident killed Marlins star pitcher José Fernández, Eduardo Rivero and Emilio Jesus Macias. Fernández had seemingly limitless potential on the mound and it's agonizing to wonder what more he could've accomplished if not for his own reckless actions. The circumstances surrounding his death understandably prevent the franchise from loudly celebrating his career, but at FOF, we believe it's possible to reflect on his excellence as a player and his exuberant personality without disrespecting the victims and their families.Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

For the first time since 2017, mascot races have returned to Miami Marlins home games. The Marlins Rooster Race was introduced entering the month of August, with 26 games remaining at LoanDepot Park during the 2023 regular season. Bobby (wearing the club's City Connect uniform), Charlie (teal) and Pepito (white) go beak-to-beak-to-beak in the middle of the sixth inning. Fish On First has observed a strong correlation between the winning rooster and whichever uniform Marlins players are wearing that day, but there are enough discrepancies that we'll be tracking the game-by-game results below. August 1: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 2: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 3: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 11: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 12: Bobby won | Marlins wonAugust 13: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 14: Bobby won | Marlins wonAugust 15: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 16: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 25: Pepito won | Marlins lostAugust 26: Charlie won | Marlins lostAugust 27: Pepito won | Marlins wonAugust 29: Bobby won | Marlins lostAugust 30: Charlie won | Marlins lostSeptember 5: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 6: Pepito won | Marlins wonSeptember 7: Bobby won | Marlins lostSeptember 15: Bobby won | Marlins wonSeptember 16: Pepito won | Marlins wonSeptember 17: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 18: Bobby won | Marlins lostSeptember 19: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 20: Charlie won | Marlins lostSeptember 22: Billy the Marlin won | Marlins lostSeptember 23: Charlie won | Marlins wonSeptember 24: Pepito won | Marlins wonPhoto courtesy of Miami Marlins

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Saturday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/marlins-brewers-9-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/23/e05994ef-b83386f7-b407cb07-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4 Saturday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Every Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp starter recorded at least one hit. INF Jacob Amaya homered to extend his on-base streak to 20 games. LHP Ryan Weathers had his scoreless streak snapped at 17 innings. Overall, he had a 2.54 ERA in seven Triple-A starts after being acquired by the Marlins at the trade deadline.After struggling earlier in the week, Tanner Scott had a bounce-back outing to secure the Marlins' 32nd one-run win of the season. It was Miami's 80th victory overall, the franchise's highest in a season since 2010. Matt Moore made his Marlins debut and also pitched a scoreless inning.Sandy Alcantara (right UCL sprain) is officially out for the season. So is Eury Pérez (left SI joint inflammation) after an 128-inning workload. Luis Arraez will be taking it day by day after aggravating his ankle injury in a uniquely frustrating way. https://fishonfirst.com/news/tracking-miami-marlins-injury-rehab-updates/Pérez became the first pitcher since José Fernández (2013) to throw at least 90 MLB innings in his age-20 season. Despite a mediocre September, his rookie campaign was unequivocally a success (143 ERA+) and he'll head into next year as a lock to crack the Marlins starting rotation.NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs won, the Giants and Reds lost, and the Diamondbacks were rained out. Cincinnati led 9-0 over the Pirates and somehow blew it. The Marlins are one game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, Mookie Betts set a new MLB modern era record for RBI from the leadoff spot in a single season. The Padres' eight-game win streak was snapped. They are an astonishing 0-12 in extra-inning games this season.The Marlins have a 48.8% chance to win their series finale against the Brewers, per FanGraphs. There will be a pregame ceremony honoring the organization's 2023 minor league award winners. All fans in attendance get a 2024 magnet schedule and are invited to do the "Diamond Dash" following the game. Triple-A Jacksonville (1:05 p.m. ET) is on the road for their final game of the season. Double-A Pensacola (5:30 p.m. ET) is on the road for Game 1 of the Southern League Championship Series.Here are my scouting and statistical notes on each of the Marlins' Arizona Fall League participants.https://fishonfirst.com/farm/2023-arizona-fall-league-marlins-prospects/Happy birthday to Marlins LHP Patrick Monteverde (26). He led the Marlins farm system in strikeouts this season and represented them in the All-Star Futures Game. Monteverde figures to be a non-roster invitee to 2024 spring training.Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First

As the 2023 MLB regular season winds down, we are being treated to a highly competitive National League Wild Card race. It's the first time that Miami Marlins fans have experienced something like this under the current playoff format. The Marlins ceded the NL East title to the Atlanta Braves long ago, but remain in contention for the three Wild Card spots. What if, after 162 games, the Marlins find themselves tied for the third and final spot? Who gets the higher postseason seed if they clearly make the cut, but have the same record as another Wild Card team? Well, it depends who they're tied with, as explained below. This page will be updated daily. Arizona DiamondbacksThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 4-2). Chicago CubsThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Cubs based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 4-2). Philadelphia PhilliesThe Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Phillies based on head-to-head record (Marlins won season series, 7-6). Cincinnati RedsAfter splitting their season series, the Marlins clinched the tiebreaker over the Reds based on intradivision record. The Marlins are 25-24 (.510 W%) against NL East teams, while the Reds are 19-29 (.396 W%) against NL Central teams. San Francisco GiantsAfter splitting their season series, the tiebreaker between the Marlins and Giants has yet to be determined. It will be based on intradivision record. The Marlins are 25-24 (.510 W%) against NL East teams, while the Giants are 24-21 (.533 W%) against NL West teams. For additional postseason tiebreaker details, go here. Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images

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There is still hope for the Miami Marlins to earn a postseason berth. Regardless of whether they do or how far they advance, we are assured of seeing notable Marlins minor leaguers in action throughout the month of October. On Oct. 2, just one day following the end of the MLB regular season, the Arizona Fall League gets underway. These eight Fish farmhands will go to the desert and get extra reps as members of the Peoria Javelinas. INF Nasim Nuñez 2023 MiLB stats (AA): .224/.341/.286 (79 wRC+), 5 HR, 52 SB in 125 G Rule 5 eligible? Yes. Nuñez is undoubtedly the key Marlins player to watch in the AFL. The 2023 All-Star Futures Game MVP posted a career-best strikeout rate this season (18.3 K%) and set a Double-A Pensacola single-season record for stolen bases. He's also the best defensive shortstop in the Marlins organization. On the other hand, after 351 professional games, Nuñez's career slugging percentage still begins with a two (it's .286, to be precise). Use whatever caveats you want, there just is not much precedent for prospects who perform so poorly in that category becoming starting-caliber big leaguers. Nuñez is eligible for this offseason's Rule 5 Draft if not selected to Miami's 40-man roster beforehand. He enters the AFL as a true borderline candidate for that. I'm particularly intrigued by the possibility of the 23-year-old switch-hitter fully turning his focus to the left side of the plate, where he has been consistently better in the minors. INF Jacob Berry 2023 MiLB stats (A+/AA): .233/.284/.388 (83 wRC+), 9 HR, 10 SB in 107 G Rule 5 eligible? No. Miami's $6 million man had a disappointing first full season in the pros, interrupted by finger and foot injuries, though his production gradually improved as the year progressed. Drafted as a third baseman despite lacking many of the skills required to succeed there, Berry made first base his primary position following his midseason promotion to the Blue Wahoos. That move across the diamond puts more pressure on his bat. Berry is an Arizona native, so maybe the intangibles of being close to his support system will benefit him during the fall. C Paul McIntosh 2023 MiLB stats (AA/AAA/A): .244/.355/.419 (106 wRC+), 14 HR, 3 SB in 77 G Rule 5 eligible? No. https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/2e8400e9-7985-4251-a08b-771abc145843.mp4The oldest player in this delegation, McIntosh turns 26 shortly after the AFL season ends. The Marlins have not given up on him as a catcher, but he will need to do all the little things right to compensate for a lousy throwing arm. Perhaps he'll get a few reps at easier defensive positions with Peoria. P-Mac possesses plus power. The strange thing is, it doesn't show up much against left-handed pitching (when he has the platoon advantage). It's difficult to envision a big league role for him unless that changes. RHP Gabe Bierman 2023 MiLB stats (A+): 3.46 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 1.14 WHIP in 91.0 IP (19 G/19 GS) Rule 5 eligible? No. There frankly were not many starting pitchers who performed well for Marlins minor league affiliates in 2023. Bierman is one of the exceptions. His ability to suppress home runs stands out most—he surrendered only three of them (one over his final 12 starts). The Indiana product gets nice armside run on his sinker, but merely averages about 91 miles per hour with it, and it doesn't actually yield many grounders. Bierman also has a slider, curveball and changeup. He may need a greater velo separation between his fastball and changeup for the latter to be viable. RHP Ike Buxton 2023 MiLB stats (A/A+/AA): 2.45 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 1.23 WHIP in 77.0 IP (20 G/13 GS) Rule 5 eligible? No. A 2022 draft pick, Buxton was initially used in relief with Low-A Jupiter. It wasn't until July that he got fully stretched out as a starter. The Marlins promoted him to High-A Beloit soon after. Buxton's fastball velo is a couple ticks higher than Bierman's and his breaking ball has more whiff potential. With a groundball rate of nearly 60%, he's capable of outperforming his peripherals to some extent, but it's hard to deny that he benefited from good luck this season. https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/49069c1a-702f-4995-af3e-b6b68c1cf659.mp4His AFL stint will help the Marlins decide whether to proceed with him as a rotation candidate in 2024 or fast-track his development out of the bullpen. RHP Zach McCambley 2023 MiLB stats (AA/A/Rk): 3.22 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.39 WHIP in 44.2 IP (30 G/1 GS) Rule 5 eligible? Yes. The Marlins have already made their decision on McCambley: he is a reliever. It's all about that hellacious curveball of his. https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/cb60d669-e59c-4037-a9db-b0976e0e71dc.mp4McCambley is a solid bet to get whiffs against righties at the highest level. He just needs to iron out his control issues and find a way to neutralize lefties. RHP Breidy Encarnación 2023 MiLB stats (A+/A/AA/AAA): 2.03 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.10 WHIP in 75.1 IP (41 G/0 GS) Rule 5 eligible? Yes. This Dominican right-hander has been in the Marlins organization since 2018. Encarnación's perceived velocity exceeds his actual velocity thanks to the tremendous extension he gets in his delivery (approx. 7.0 feet). His changeup is legit. https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/3ea28bcf-7b39-4db9-8118-c4bfff98cbe1.mp4Encarnación's command is better than McCambley's, from what I've seen. With AFL success, I would not be shocked if he secures a 40-man spot. LHP Dale Stanavich 2023 MiLB stats (A): 3.56 ERA, 2.78 FIP, 1.45 WHIP in 30.1 IP (24 G/0 GS) Rule 5 eligible? No. Stanavich is further away from the majors than any of these other players. His inclusion would seem to be about making up for lost time after spending two months on the injured list. Worth noting, though, the small southpaw finished his Hammerheads campaign on a heater. Here's the combined line from his final five regular season/postseason appearances: 10.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 17 K. Photo courtesy of Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Friday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-brewers-9-22-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/22/524dc7fd-52c8616c-7d647028-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Friday's Marlins MiLB Notes: SS Jacob Amaya (Jacksonville) extended his on-base streak to 19 games. The Marlins will be sending INF Jacob Berry, RHP Gabe Bierman, RHP Ike Buxton, RHP Breidy Encarnación, RHP Zach McCambley, C Paul McIntosh, SS Nasim Nunez and LHP Dale Stanavich to participate in the Arizona Fall League.The Marlins suffered their most lopsided loss of the season. Bryan Hoeing allowed hits to eight of the first nine batters he faced, part of a 12-run second inning for the Brewers. It got so ugly that Jacob Stallings was asked to pitch the last two frames.Sandy Alcantara (right UCL sprain) is unofficially out for the year after experiencing more forearm tightness. Now the question is whether his injury is realistically treatable with rest or whether elbow surgery could be coming this offseason (impacting his 2024 campaign).NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs and Giants won, while the Diamondbacks and Reds lost. Aaron Judge dismantled the D-backs himself by going 4-for-4 with three home runs, a double and six runs batted in. The Marlins are one game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, left-hander Sean Doolittle announced his retirement. Used exclusively as a reliever, the 2019 World Series champion and two-time All-Star selection had a career 3.20 ERA in 450.2 IP, mainly for the Athletics and the Nationals. The Twins clinched the AL Central title. Ronald Acuña Jr. blasted his 40th home run, a milestone that could go a long way toward locking up the NL MVP award. The Padres won their eighth straight game and Manny Machado reached 30 homers for the seventh time in his career.The latest episode of mourned the loss of Alcantara, lauded the talent on Milwaukee's pitching staff and pondered the future of Craig Counsell. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/The Marlins have a 50.6% chance to win their next game against the Brewers, per FanGraphs. Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) is on the road.Luis Arraez's parents had their first opportunity to see him play a major league game in person.Jason Wang of Brewer Fanatic likes Milwaukee's chances of exploiting the inconsistent Marlins bullpen if the teams were to face off in the NL Wild Card Series. Those comments look awfully prescient in light of Friday's game.I enjoyed Braxton Garrett's interview on Miami Mic'd Up (embedded above), particularly the part where he describes the importance of "managing his misses." I also enjoyed "investigating" the opposing pitcher who gives Jazz Chisholm Jr. a lot of trouble despite being "not good" overall.On this day 20 years ago, Jeff Conine’s home run ignited a five-run seventh inning for the Marlins to help beat the Phillies.https://fishonfirst.com/history/marlins-jeff-conine-home-run-phillies-2003/Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. has elite bat speed. His 2021 home run off of Jacob deGrom's high heater put him on the national baseball map, and he has followed that up with many other similar swings against top-end velocity. Pitchers with "nasty" stuff who are generally regarded as the best in the majors don't intimidate him. That being said, Chisholm is still an incomplete hitter. In 2023 and in his MLB career overall, he rates only slightly above average in terms of weighted runs created-plus. The damage he's done against A-list arms is partially offset by his inability to take advantage of finesse pitchers. Chisholm was interviewed on the of the Twin Talk podcast, hosted by social media influencers Haley and Hanna Cavinder. It's a cringy listen, but just past the 30-minute mark, they asked him to identify the "hardest pitcher" he's had to face. The Marlins center fielder went in a surprising direction with his response. He stopped short of dropping the pitcher's name, so I had some fun "investigating" it."If you watch him pitch, he's not good, but whatever he does gets everybody out," Chisholm says. This mystery pitcher is on the Washington Nationals, he continues, who the Marlins played the day before the pod recording. He shouts out teammate Jorge Soler for being "the only person who hit" in that game. Even though the episode was just uploaded this week, the above details strongly hint that the recording took place on August 28 (a Marlins off day). Soler blasted the game-deciding homer on the 27th to account for Miami's only two runs. Right-hander Trevor Williams started that game for the Nats. Chisholm goes on to describe the pitch mix of his nemesis: "88 mile-per-hour fastball, cool; he got a little 83 mile-per-hour changeup—that's normal; curveball, 78. It's all normal stuff." Each of those numbers are almost identical to Williams' season averages. Chisholm leaves yet another breadcrumb by saying he struck out in his first at-bat during the game in question. Here is that strikeout against a seemingly hittable fastball: https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/d9f20a0f-2409-4d1e-a78f-22eb99c007ee.mp4Most opponents have savored their matchups with Williams this season. He's been sub-replacement level with a 5.55 ERA, 6.05 FIP and 1.57 WHIP while averaging less than five innings per start, hence Jazz's frustration. Including Grapefruit League spring training matchups, Chisholm is 1-for-13 lifetime against Williams with five strikeouts, the only hit being a lucky infield single (which happened the following week during a rematch in Washington). The 2023 season series between the Marlins and Nats is over, but Williams is under contract for next season as well. Health permitting, Chisholm will have opportunities to solve this veteran righty. Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images