Ely Sussman

Thursday's GamesMarlins Podcast Episodes Thursday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Sandy Alcantara (4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 51 pitches/34 strikes) and Huascar Brazoban (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, nine pitches/six strikes) both began rehab assignments with Jacksonville. In Alcantara's case, it is likely to be a one-and-done with him rejoining the Marlins rotation next week, albeit with a somewhat limited workload. It was an awesome night for Jerar Encarnación, who drove in six of the seven Jumbo Shrimp runs and added an outfield assist. Pensacola is going back to the Southern League Championship Series, thanks largely to a lights-out start from LHP Patrick Monteverde (6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K). https://fishonfirst.com/news/sandy-alcantara-rehab-assignment-recap-9-21-23/ NL Wild Card race updates: the Phillies won, while the Cubs and Giants lost. The Cubbies have dropped seven of their last eight games and it's the first time since June 5 that San Francisco has dipped below the .500 mark. The Marlins hold the third Wild Card spot thanks to having the head-to-head tiebreaker over Chicago.Elsewhere around the majors, the Rays are calling up top prospect Junior Caminero. The power-hitting infielder just turned 20 in July and will unseat Eury Pérez for the title of MLB's youngest active player. Gerrit Cole (Yankees) retired 24 of the 26 batters he faced over eight excellent innings. Tarik Skubal (Tigers) tallied a season-high 10 strikeouts and has quietly been among the sport's best starters since returning from the injured list in July. Four teams fighting for three postseason berths in the AL, the Astros, Blue Jays, Mariners and Rangers, each have 68 losses.We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 5:30 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/The Marlins have a 41.4% chance to win their series opener against the Brewers, per FanGraphs. Jorge Cantú and Alex Fernandez are on hand for the final Flashback Friday of 2023. Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) is on the road.El Extrabase reports on Luis Arraez's parents arriving from Venezuela. This weekend (if Arraez's ankle sprain is sufficiently healed), they'll be watching him play major league games in person for the very first time.Christina De Nicola of MLB.com details the "off-the-wall" decision that Marlins executive Adrian Lorenzo has made to leave the baseball industry to focus on his art career. With input from Lorenzo, the franchise is in the process of revamping its international operations staff.Remember to vote for 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee Jorge Soler.Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images

Wednesday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-mets-9-20-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/20/e3100594-0ebf4afc-333e46d9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4 Marlins Podcast Episodes Wednesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Devin Smeltzer (Jacksonville) left his start in the first inning with an injury. Congratulations to Low-A Jupiter on clinching the Florida State League championship! It's Jupiter's first-ever FSL title (the affiliate was founded in 2002). OF Kemp Alderman had a particularly great postseason run, slashing .313/.478/.563 with six walks in five games. LHP Evan Taylor recorded the final out and also deserves a shoutout. Regular season and postseason combined, he converted 22 of his 23 save opportunities.The Marlins were still within striking distance in the bottom of the fifth, trailing the Mets 3-1, when they made a pair of outs on the bases that halted their momentum. Jazz Chisholm Jr. attempted to stretch a single into a double with no outs, then Jorge Soler ran into an inning-ending double play trying to tag and score on a shallow fly ball. Series MVP Jeff McNeil recorded the assist on both plays.The Mets clinched the season series against the Marlins in front of another sparse crowd. Despite there being so much at stake, LoanDepot Park only drew an average of 12,506 fans over the last three days.Luis Arraez missed another game with a sprained ankle and now Jake Burger (quad tightness) has his own injury concern. https://fishonfirst.com/news/tracking-miami-marlins-injury-rehab-updates/This concludes a stretch of 16 straight games without an off day for the Marlins. They held up solidly by going 9-7. Their outlook for the final nine games would obviously seem brighter if Burger and/or Arraez are available to return against the Brewers.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks, Phillies and Reds won, while the Cubs and Giants lost. Justin Steele struggled against the Pirates (3.0 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 6 K), paving the way for Blake Snell to lock up the NL Cy Young award. The Marlins are a half-game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, presumptive NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll (D-backs) has compiled 25 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Nolan Schanuel (Angels) has now reached base safely in 24 straight games to begin his MLB career. The Padres have won seven games in a row.Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) is on the road. Double-A Pensacola (7:05 p.m. ET) is hosting Game 2 of the Southern League Division Series (Blue Wahoos lead, 1-0).Jesús Luzardo and A.J.Puk got a taste of postseason baseball at the beginning of their major league careers. Kevin Barral spoke to them about how they're utilizing that experience this time around.https://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/jesus-luzardo-aj-puk-postseason-experience/Cristian Crespo of Just Baseball breaks down the successful center field transition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. Christina De Nicola of MLB.com has a long feature on Luis Arraez's professional baseball journey.Michael Baumann of FanGraphs marvels at how Tanner Scott has dramatically increased his first-pitch strike percentage from last year to this year. On this day five years ago, Marlins rookie Isaac Galloway broke a scoreless tie with a walk-off double in 10th.https://coach-video.mlb.com/mlb/2018/09/22/d8738133/a26c9c60/video_1537580937832_1200k.mp4Photo courtesy of Jupiter Hammerheads

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Enjoy top plays from Miami Marlins infielder Jacob Berry! Berry spent his age-22 season with the High-A Beloit Sky Carp and Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. In 107 games played, he slashed .233/.284/.388 (83 wRC+) with 9 HR and 10 SB. His main defensive position was initially third base, but he also played plenty of first base as the season progressed. This was Berry's second minor league campaign. The Marlins selected him with their first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft. His season ended prematurely due to a foot contusion. He's likely to repeat the Double-A level next year. Where would you rank Berry among the top prospects in the Marlins organization?

Tuesday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/news/marlins-mets-9-19/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/19/d73a0fbb-26e71b4d-84a468fa-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Tuesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: C/INF Bennett Hostetler and OF Jake Thompson combined for three home runs to account for Pensacola's offense in winning Game 1 of the Southern League Division Series. RHP Noble Meyer (Jupiter) had shaky control, but kept the Clearwater Threshers off the scoreboard in his brief start (2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 48 pitches/23 strikes). The Threshers rallied later to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the Florida State League Championship series. 1B Torin Montgomery and LHP Evan Taylor were named 2023 FSL All-Stars.The Marlins notched their 31st one-run win of the season. They also grounded into their 145th double play, establishing a new single-season franchise record. Tanner Scott was credited with his ninth win, though that's only because he blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth. Jake Burger bailed him out with a walk-off single. Burger is slashing .305/.359/.524 (137 wRC+) as a Marlin. Luis Arraez sprained his left ankle during pregame drills, preventing him from playing on Tuesday and very likely sidelining him for today's contest.Veteran left-hander Matt Moore is expected to be available today after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Guardians. To make room for Moore on the 40-man roster, Tommy Nance (left oblique strain) was placed on the 60-day injured list, officially ending his 2023 season before he made any major league appearances.https://fishonfirst.com/news/marlins-roster-moves-matt-moore-waiver-claim/The Miami chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America presented their annual Marlins awards to Arraez (MVP), Eury Pérez (Rookie of the Year), Jesús Luzardo (Charlie Hough Good Guy) and Jon Berti (Jeff Conine Heart & Professionalism).NL Wild Card race updates: the Cubs and Diamondbacks won, while the Giants, Phillies and Reds lost. The Marlins are a half-game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, right-hander Kyle Nicolas made his major league debut with the Pirates. The 2020 draft pick was part of the trade package that the Marlins sent to Pittsburgh to acquire Jacob Stallings. Nicolas really found his groove at Triple-A last month after they converted him into a conventional reliever, though Tuesday was not a good example of that (0.1 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HR). Another milestone for NL MVP favorite Ronald Acuña Jr., who recorded his 100th RBI of the season. Acuña's next homer will be his 40th.The Marlins have a 44.8% chance to win their series finale against the Mets, per FanGraphs. It is Eury Pérez's final home start of 2023, so if you have not witnessed him in person yet, you better take advantage of this opportunity. There's a giveaway for the first 8,000 fans: a special card commemorating Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting grand slams in back-to-back games against the Braves. Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) is on the road.We have begun posting for notable Marlins prospects. Up next: INF Jacob Berry. Subscribe to the Fish On First YouTube channel!Sean Millerick of Call to the Pen wonders whether the Marlins should sell high on Braxton Garrett after his great 2023 season. "Nothing about the Marlins makes sense," ESPN's Jeff Passan writes in selecting them as his "biggest surprise" of the 2023 MLB season. The Marlins have launched their "Make Your Pitch" ticket-buying partnership with TicketRev. Saves the time and stress of conventional ticket shopping by letting you pick what price you're comfortable with and where you want to sit. You receive the tix when something matches that criteria.On this day 20 years ago, Miguel Cabrera blasted an extra-inning homer to lift the Marlins part the Braves.One of our Twitter followers, @Marlins305305, created a Marlins crossword puzzle. Took me about seven minutes to complete it. Let me know if any of you beat that!Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

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The Miami Marlins got shut out on August 31. Sure, they beat the Washington Nationals, 6-1, but off the field, they were denied in their attempt to supplement their team with waiver-wire veterans on the last day that they could be postseason-eligible for their new teams. The Marlins had interest in Los Angeles Angels pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López and Matt Moore. All three became Cleveland Guardians instead because the Guardians had the lower winning percentage, putting them ahead of the Marlins in the waiver claim order. The infusion of experienced arms did little to help Cleveland's slim AL Central title chances. On Sunday (with those odds down to 0.1%, per FanGraphs), the Guardians placed Moore back on waivers, inviting any team to take responsibility for what remained of his $7.55 million salary (approx. $528k). The Marlins nibbled again and were awarded the claim on Tuesday when no inferior teams got in their way. https://sporty-clips.mlb.com/789f1918-674f-43c4-82d5-114ce32a8028.mp4In his second campaign as a full-time reliever, the 34-year-old lefty has been great: 2.77 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 1.27 WPA in 48.2 IP. Moore's changeup is currently his best weapon, leading to extreme reverse splits—right-handed batters have slashed .214/.268/.336 with a 32.2% strikeout rate. Moore's 2023 Statcast percentile rankings | Baseball SavantMoore has struggled recently. The batting average against him over the last 30 days (min. 8.0 IP) is among the highest in the majors. He has allowed baserunners in 12 of his last 13 appearances despite all but one of those appearances being a single inning or less. The upside of this claim isn't particularly high even if Moore snaps out of this slump because, as mentioned in the opening paragraph, players who change organizations in September don't have postseason eligibility. That being said, Moore's arm is fresh after pitching only one inning during his final week on the Guardians roster. Combining that with his strong track record when working back-to-back days, there is nothing stopping Moore from appearing in at least five of the 10 remaining Marlins regular season games from Wednesday onward (he is not available for Tuesday's game against the Mets). With so much of his slump attributable to an inflated BABIP, it is entirely possible that he'll straighten himself out in a hurry. With Chi Chi González occupying a bullpen spot based on necessity rather than merit, Steven Okert struggling even more than Moore and Tanner Scott potentially missing games down the stretch while on the paternity list (his first child is due soon), claiming Moore was a no-brainer move for Miami. Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images

Monday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/marlins-mets-9-18-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/18/bf65ba49-08777eaf-faad790e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Monday's Marlins MiLB notes: RHP Jonathan Bermudez (Pensacola) won Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the final week of the league's regular season.The Marlins suffered a rare one-run loss. Tanner Scott's seven-week streak without allowing an earned run was snapped by Jeff McNeil's game-deciding homer. However, the far bigger culprit was Miami's offense, which couldn't muster any extra-base hits. Jorge Soler came extremely close to blasting a two-run shot off the left-field scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth. A crew chief review concluded that it twisted foul.Luis Arraez became the first Marlins player since 2017 to reach 200 hits in a single season. Arraez is doubtful to set the franchise single-season hits record, currently held by Juan Pierre (221), but he's on track to finish second on that list if he starts all of the club's remaining games.https://fishonfirst.com/news/luis-arraez-reaches-200-hits-but-is-still-chasing-more/Sandy Alcantara (right UCL sprain) threw his second bullpen session since landing on the injured list. No determination yet on whether he needs additional bullpen work or can progress to facing live hitters. It's clear that Alcantara will not have time to be fully stretched out as a starter again, but he remains hopeful about returning to game action in 2023. Personally, I can only see that happening if the Fish make the playoffs.https://fishonfirst.com/news/tracking-miami-marlins-injury-rehab-updates/NL Wild Card race updates: the Phillies and Reds won. The Reds designated Hunter Renfroe for assignment and placed Harrison Bader on the injured list with a right groin strain. Those newsworthy waiver claims turned out to be very inconsequential after all. The Marlins are a half-game back of the third Wild Card spot.Elsewhere around the majors, the Rays are set to announce the details of a new domed ballpark located near Tropicana Field. It's expected to be ready for the 2028 season. Adam Wainwright pitched his best game of the season (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K) and earned his 200th career win.The latest episode covered Alcantara's progress and key players on the Mets. 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 52.2% chance to win their next game against the Mets, per FanGraphs. Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) is on the road. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET) is playing Game 1 of the Southern League Division Series and Single-A Jupiter (6:30 p.m. ET) is playing Game 2 of the Florida State League Championship Series, a win away from clinching the title.The majority of Fish On First Twitter followers (59.1%) believe the Marlins can average an announced attendance of at least 20,000 fans during this final week of regular season home games. Not off to an encouraging start—only 14,577 showed up on Monday.This month, we began posting for notable Marlins prospects. Another one will go up tonight! Subscribe to the Fish On First YouTube channel.Xavier Edwards is Baseball America's choice for 2023 Marlins Minor League Player of the Year. Edwards is almost assured of winning the International League batting title while playing four different defensive positions and stealing 32 bases.Photo by Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald

Sunday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-braves-9-17-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-09/17/dee786f1-27915fc8-7da604c7-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Sunday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Sixto Sánchez was scratched from his scheduled start with Pensacola. There was "no specific reason given" for the change, per Blue Wahoos broadcaster Erik Bremer, "but we have not been given any reason that there would be any concern." Sánchez is not listed as the probable starter for any of next week's Southern League Division Series games. The Jupiter Hammerheads are one win away from the Florida State League championship. They beat the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies affiliate) with a five-run, two-out rally in the sixth inning, featuring a grand slam by INF Carlos Santiago. LHP Dale Stanavich shined in relief, retiring eight of the nine batters he faced.For the first time in eight years, the Marlins swept a series against the Braves. They did so by averaging 12 runs per game. The Friday and Saturday victories were in doubt until the later innings, but the series finale was lopsided enough for Jacob Stallings to close it out on the mound.Jazz Chisholm Jr. stuffed the stat sheet over the weekend with two grand slams, five walks, three stolen bases and six runs scored.Jorge Soler made his return from the injured list by going 3-for-4 with a walk and his 36th home run of the season.Listen back to Sunday's State of the Fish Twitter Space hosted by Grant Kiefer. It's also available on the Fish On First podcast feed.NL Wild Card race updates: the Diamondbacks and Giants won, while the Cubs, Phillies and Reds lost. The Marlins are tied with the Cubs for the third Wild Card spot. Owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over Chicago, they truly control their own destiny.Elsewhere around the majors, the Orioles clinched their first postseason berth since 2016. The Angels lost for the 82nd time, ensuring a losing season. The Dodgers gave Freddie Freeman a day off, leaving Matt Olson (Braves) and Marcus Semien (Rangers) as the only MLB players with a chance to start all 162 regular season games.We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 5:30 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/The Marlins have a 52.2% chance to win their series opener against the Mets, per FanGraphs. Edward Cabrera gets a traditional start for the first time since July 31. Luis Arraez's next hit will his 200th of the season.Three Marlins players describe the significance of the Braves sweep to Alex Krutchik. https://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/marlins-sweep-braves-clubhouse-reaction/Receive a free ticket to any game of the Marlins/Mets series when you bring new/unused toiletries or baby care products to Gate 9 at LoanDepot Park as a donation to Lotus House.On this day 25 years ago, the Marlins stunned the Mets with a three-run rally in the ninth inning.Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First

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With two early home runs from improbable power sources and two late ones from more established sluggers, the Miami Marlins defeated the mighty Atlanta Braves again on Saturday. A Marlins team that needs to convert every close game into a victory from here on out in pursuit of a postseason berth has played with the necessary urgency this weekend. It took approximately three minutes for the Braves to bash Bryan Hoeing for three runs. Michael Harris II led off with a double, then Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley both homered. When a Mel Stottlemyre Jr. mound visit was followed by a five-pitch walk to Matt Olson, it was only natural to fear that this game was careening toward a blowout. However, Hoeing thrived the rest of the way. He retired 13 of the final 14 Braves hitters he faced. After paying the price for a few elevated pitches down the middle of the plate, he began locating more precisely along the edges of the zone. Hoeing's final line: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR (64 pitches/38 strikes). Bryan Hoeing's pitch chart vs. Braves | Baseball SavantThe Marlins offense this season has made a habit of awakening in the later innings, but for the second straight game, they uncharacteristically saw immediate results. Recently recalled Jared Shuster gave up a four-spot in the bottom of the first. Luis Arraez hit a solo homer. Facing unconventional cleanup hitter Yuli Gurriel with two runners aboard, Shuster tried to steal a strike with a first-pitch slider. Gurriel saw it coming all the way. The Marlins stretched their advantage to 5-3 in the third. Garrett Hampson singled home Jake Burger (the Braves challenged the play at the plate, but the call was upheld). That's not okaySteven Okert had allowed only one home run to a left-handed batter all season entering this game. Well, Harris and Olson are no ordinary lefties. They launched solo shots off of Okert in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. The latter tied the score at 5-5 and also established a new Braves record for home runs by a player in a single season. Okert's September is shaping up to be arguably the worst month of his three-season Marlins tenure. Opposing hitters are 10-for-24 (.417 BA) against him since the calendar flipped. Both teams threatened to take the lead over the next couple innings, but couldn't quite break through. In the bottom of the sixth, Arraez ran into an out when attempting to go first to third on a Josh Bell single. Had he conservatively stayed at second, the subsequent single by Burger almost certainly would've driven him in. Andrew Nardi struggled in the top of the eighth. Relying heavily on his fastball despite having lower velocity than usual, he loaded the bases on a single, walk and hit-by-pitch. Skip Schumaker called upon the incredible Tanner Scott with two outs and he escaped the jam by getting Orlando Arcia to ground out. Well done, BurgerAtlanta's Kirby Yates sat down the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth before yielding a walk to Bell. Dane Myers entered to pinch-run for Bell, which looked to be a hugely consequential move when Burger smoked a line drive to center field. Would Myers be able to score from first for the go-ahead run?! Well yeah, because the 113 mph bullet off of Burger's bat landed on the other side of the fence. https://bdata-producedclips.mlb.com/416d6e35-14f6-4546-a645-fb2bb08e1967.mp4As if 7-5 was not a sufficient cushion for Scott in the ninth, Jazz Chisholm Jr. put the nail in Atlanta's coffin with a grand slam against Michael Tonkin. Additional InfoFor the first time this season, Ronald Acuña Jr. sat out a game for the Braves after experiencing right calf tightness on Friday. For Miami, the durable Bryan De La Cruz was sidelined with right ankle discomfort.Luis Arraez became the third player in Marlins history to hit leadoff home runs in back-to-back games, according to Marlins Communications, joining Hanley Ramírez (2006) and Miguel Rojas (2019).Chisholm stuffed the box score by going 2-for-3 with two walks and three stolen bases. The Marlins entered the day as the only MLB team this season that still hadn't hit a grand slam. Jazz now finds himself in the company of Mike Cameron (2002) as the only players of the modern era to record a GS and 3 SB in the same game (per ESPN Stats & Info). Poor Josh Simpson has been available out of the Marlins bullpen for the last five games, but still hasn't debuted. You could've made the case for him to get his feet wet in The Show by handling the ninth with a six-run advantage.No doubt helped by LoanDepot Park's annual Dominican heritage celebration, the Marlins drew an announced crowd of 24,329.Saturday's win probability chart | Baseball SavantThe season series between these clubs concludes on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. Probable starters are Jesús Luzardo and Charlie Morton. It'll be Morton's 24th career start against the Fish. The Marlins are seeking to sweep a three-game series from the Braves for the first time in eight years (Sept. 25-27, 2015). Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First