Ely Sussman

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the first game of Miami's road series against the New York Mets. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) CF Jakob Marsee (L) 1B Liam Hicks (L) C Agustín Ramírez LF Troy Johnston (L) SS Otto Lopez DH Heriberto Hernández 3B Maximo Acosta RF Dane Myers P Adam Mazur Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)

Please keep in mind, this is a four-game series instead of the usual three!

The player that the Marlins selected at the very end of the 2023 MLB Draft has been thriving in pro ball. Catcher Ryan Ignoffo slashed .265/.328/.451 with nine home runs, 13 stolen bases and a 124 wRC+ with High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola during the 2025 season. At the time of his season-ending hamstring injury, Ignoffo was leading all Marlins minor leaguers with 59 RBI in just 74 games played. View full video

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the third and final game of Miami's home series against the Atlanta Braves. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) SS Otto Lopez LF Jakob Marsee (L) DH Heriberto Hernández 1B Eric Wagaman RF Dane Myers C Liam Hicks (L) CF Derek Hill 3B Maximo Acosta P Ryan Gusto Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)

For most of April and May, Miami Marlins fans dreaded watching Sandy Alcantara's starts. The former ace was a liability to his own team, hindered by inconsistent control and the lack of finish on his pitches needed to generate whiffs. He had the worst results of any qualified MLB starting pitcher during that stretch. It hurt to see him consistently getting embarrassed. Beginning in June, there were reasons to be hopeful about Alcantara, but still not confident. He beat up on some soft opponents, only to get shelled by more experienced lineups. At least he got the green light to work deeper into his outings. Over these last three starts, including Tuesday's seven strong innings against the Atlanta Braves, there has been a meaningful shift. Alcantara looks like a complete pitcher again. He's been experimenting with his mechanics and pitch usage to great effect. His changeup is back to being a deadly putaway pitch. He isn't letting occasional mistakes or unlucky breaks snowball into big rallies. You now tune in expecting a quality performance rather than being surprised when it happens. It was widely reported that the Marlins had discussions with other teams about the possibility of trading Alcantara last month, but they weren't going to part with him easily. It was always just a matter of time until he got comfortable in his own skin again. Imagine what it would've felt like to "sell low" on him and experience this from afar. Less than a month after the trade deadline has passed, Miami's decision to stand pat with Alcantara has been validated. Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost. 8-5. In his latest rehab game, Connor Norby went 1-for-3 with a walk. Joe Mack hit his 15th home run. Double-A Pensacola lost, 4-3. Kemp Alderman homered for the 14th time. High-A Beloit lost, 2-0. Karson Milbrandt has had back-to-back 10-strikeout games. Low-A Jupiter won, 7-6. Great slide by Andrew Salas to score the decisive run in extra innings. M3l5Z1FfV0ZRVkV3dEdEUT09X1ZRTUVWRkFNQTFBQVdsb0ZWZ0FIQ1FVSEFBQlJBQWNBQ2xBQ0JnWlhVd3BUQXdvRg==.mp4 More Marlins news and content below: 🔷 The complete 2026 Major League Baseball regular season schedule has been released. The Marlins kick it off with consecutive series hosting the two worst teams from the 2025 season, the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox. 🔷 Sean McCormack explained how he would he construct the Marlins lineup once Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, Griffin Conine and Graham Pauley return from their respective injuries. 🔷 On this day in 2005, Mike Lowell hit his first career walk-off home run. 🔷 Troy Johnston has agreed to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic for the third year in a row. On the strength of an excellent homestand, Johnston has boosted his overall offensive production to a league-average level (99 wRC+). 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the New York Mets announced that their top pitching prospect, Jonah Tong, will be making his major league debut on Friday against the Fish. Yordan Alvarez returned to the Houston Astros lineup after nearly four months on the injured list. Nathan Eovaldi suffered a rotator cuff strain that will likely end his season. The Athletics have emerged as MLB's most dangerous spoiler with an American League-best 20-10 record over their last 30 games. 🔷 Today's MLB game: it's the 13th and final head-to-head meeting of the season between the Marlins and Atlanta Braves (probable starters RHP Ryan Gusto and LHP Joey Wentz). Wentz has generally pitched his best on the road (3.32 ERA), though he limited Miami to one run in 5 ⅓ innings earlier this month at Truist Park. The Marlins have a 44.4% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 1:10 p.m. ET. Marlins podcast episodes View full article

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the second game of Miami's home series against the Atlanta Braves. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) RF Jakob Marsee (L) C Agustín Ramírez SS Otto Lopez DH Liam Hicks (L) LF Heriberto Hernández 1B Troy Johnston (L) CF Derek Hill 3B Javier Sanoja P Sandy Alcantara Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)

Next year, the Miami Marlins will start their regular season earlier than ever. It's still seven full months away, but I would also expect them to be favored to win more heavily than they've been on any previous Opening Day. As announced on Tuesday, the Marlins will host the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series beginning on March 26, 2026. The Rockies are on pace to lose 116 games in 2025. On paper, they'll be the weakest opponent that the Marlins have ever opened up against—based on the previous season's record, that distinction currently belongs to the 2009 Washington Nationals, who went 59-102 in 2008. After the Rockies leave town, the Chicago White Sox will fly in for three games. The Sox are likely to finish with MLB's second-worst record this season (59-103 pace). Of course, the Marlins will eventually face each of the 29 other MLB teams over the course of the season, but a franchise that has historically gotten off to slow starts has been gifted the softest possible opening week. Various other details that I found interesting about the '26 schedule: Fourth consecutive season that the Marlins will open at loanDepot park 33 of the first 54 games are at home First-ever visit to Sacramento from July 3-5 (temporary home of the Athletics) Intimidating stretch coming out of the All-Star break—five series in a row against probable 2025 postseason teams, then a visit to Truist Park, which has always been a house of horrors for the Fish In New York to face the Mets from July 30-August 2, the period leading up to and following the trade deadline Longest road trip occurs near the very end of the season from September 14-24 The Marlins incorporated Xavier Edwards, Agustín Ramírez, Kyle Stowers and Otto Lopez into their schedule graphic. They posted a video on their social media accounts that includes highlights of them, as well as Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Eury Pérez, Jakob Marsee, Dane Myers and Heriberto Hernández. It should go without saying, but the marketing department does not influence baseball operations decisions, so there's no guarantee that all of those players will actually play for the Fish in 2026. The video was voiced by Marlins alumni and World Series champions Jeff Conine, Luis Castillo, Charles Johnson and Juan Pierre. View full article

All Fish On First podcasts are brought to you by Jet Ski Rentals of South Florida—offering Miami’s best jet ski and boat adventures. With six jet ski locations and over 120 boats, there’s something for every style and every budget. With Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, boats fill up fast—everyone wants that view of the fireworks from the water. They’re reservation-based only. To inquire, call 305-990-2192, or check them out online at SFJetskiRentals.com. Recorded immediately after learning the results of the MLB Draft Lottery, Ely Sussman, Isaac Azout, Kevin Barral, Nate Karzmer, Hector Rodriguez and special guest Marcel Sparks discuss where things stands with the Miami Marlins in the midst of the Winter Meetings. Topics include the consequences of falling to 14th in the draft order, missing out on veteran relievers in free agency, mutual interest between the Marlins and Jakob Marsee regarding a contract extension, 2026 Opening Day being rescheduled and a preview of Wednesday's Rule 5 draft. You can find Fish On First LIVE on the Fish On First YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you get your pods. Our audio programming also includes The Offishial Show, Fish Unfiltered, Swimming Upstream and more. The Marlins received the 14th overall pick in the 2026 draft. The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals both leapfrogged the Fish and won top-six lottery picks despite finishing last season with better records. Follow Ely (@RealEly), Marcel (@MarcelSparks04), Isaac (@IsaacAzout), Kevin (@kevin_barral), Nate (@NateKarzmer), Hector (@Hector_Baseball) and Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) on Twitter. Join the Marlins Discord server! Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at FishOnFirst.com. View full article

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the first game of Miami's home series against the Atlanta Braves. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) CF Jakob Marsee (L) C Agustín Ramírez 1B Liam Hicks (L) SS Otto Lopez DH Eric Wagaman LF Troy Johnston (L) RF Joey Wiemer 3B Maximo Acosta P Edward Cabrera Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)

I find it funny that Kyle EMBRACES his lack of pop culture knowledge haha. In a sense, it is part of his personality that he so openly rejects the stuff other people like. Tommy rants are the most memorable parts of the broadcast, for sure.

You cannot refer to Tyler Phillips as another brilliant waiver-wire pickup. He was technically a trade acquisition. After being designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of spring training, there were multiple teams interested, so the Miami Marlins had to send back cash considerations to complete the deal. But yeah, Phillips has shattered preseason expectations to stick with the Marlins throughout 2025. Initially thought to be among the weakest links on the active roster, it's now hard to envision next year's club without him. Phillips recorded his second save of the season on Sunday, retiring the side in order without allowing a ball to leave the infield. In 43 appearances, the right-hander has posted a 3.27 ERA, 4.46 FIP and .244 BAA in 63 ⅓ innings pitched. Most notably, his ground ball rate ranks in the 91st percentile among MLB qualifiers, per Baseball Savant, and that has continued to climb as the year progresses. Coincidence or not, his performance has peaked when the stakes are highest, as reflected in his pitching staff-leading win probability added. Working against Phillips, he rarely records strikeouts and doesn't have any minor league options left. However, outside of Ronny Henriquez and Anthony Bender, who else is clearly above him on the Marlins bullpen depth chart? Things are pretty unsettled with the prolonged absence of Andrew Nardi and concerns that both Declan Cronin and Jesús Tinoco could miss a portion of the 2026 season. Get used to Phillips' hijinks because he is poised to stick around for a while. Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 8-3. Playing in his third and probably final rehab game, Connor Norby went 2-for-4 with a home run. Zach McCambley pitched an immaculate inning in the bottom of the third. Double-A Pensacola lost, 8-1. Emaarion Boyd was hitless (0-for-15) during his first week with the Blue Wahoos. High-A Beloit won, 5-4. The Sky Carp rallied from a 4-0 deficit, capped off by Wilfredo Lara's walk-off homer. More Marlins news and content below: 🔷 I wrote about Javier Sanoja's unique and productive rookie season. Exclusively for Fish On First SuperSubs, I did the math on a hypothetical Jakob Marsee contract extension. 🔷 Luis Castillo became the fourth and final member of the inaugural Marlins Legends Hall of Fame class to be inducted. Here is his plaque. 🔷 Later today, we are expecting an update on Janson Junk's right forearm injury. Junk has not spent any time on the major league or minor league IL since 2019. 🔷 With five weeks to go in the MLB regular season, Xavier Edwards (.291) has dipped to sixth place in the National League batting title race. 🔷 The Marlins were 28th in Awful Announcing's crowdsourced rankings of local MLB television broadcasts. As somebody who has sampled every team's local broadcast at various points this season, I would've expected Kyle Sielaff, Tommy Hutton and Co. to place slightly higher. 🔷 Marlins pitching coach Daniel Moskos spoke with David Laurila of FanGraphs about the process of outfitting Ryan Gusto with a kick change. 🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated through the first 42 series. Become a SuperSub and we'll keep track of your predictions all season long! 🔷 Cal Raleigh blasted his 48th and 49th home runs of the year, establishing a new all-time single-season record for MLB catchers. The Colorado Rockies are the first team to be mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. For the sixth time in his last 10 tries, Paul Skenes had a scoreless start. Vinnie Pasquantino has homered in six of his last seven games. Zack Wheeler will be undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery. Not only will it end his 2025 season, but it jeopardizes his readiness for next year. 🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins and Atlanta Braves begin their final head-to-head series of 2025 (probable starters RHP Edward Cabrera and RHP Spencer Strider). Strider has struggled in back-to-back-to-back outings, allowing 20 earned runs on seven homers in his last 11 ⅔ innings pitched. The Marlins have a 44.3% chance to win, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 6:40 p.m. ET. 🔷 Prior to the series opener, Fish On First LIVE will preview it all beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off). Marlins podcast episodes View full article

This Miami Marlins team is not quite good enough to be playing meaningful games throughout September, but a lot of the individual pieces look like long-term contributors, and that makes this 2025 season an important step in the right direction. It was a quiet trade deadline for the Fish and it could be a quiet winter as well because of how much young talent is already in place. The key question is which players are worth truly building around and inking to contract extensions that go beyond the standard six years of club control. The franchise's top priority should be extending Eury Pérez. In a full year's worth of starts at the major league level, he has posted an earned run average that's 39% better than the league average while being the youngest of all MLB starters during that span. Gifted with a unique physical build and arguably the nastiest pitch in baseball (his four-seam fastball), Pérez has the upside to be generational. But he is on track to reach free agency at age 26, which means the Marlins could miss out on several of the most valuable seasons of his career if they don't act quickly. The complication is, Pérez would be so highly coveted on the open market, there may not be a number that Miami's front office can responsibly offer him to justify delaying his FA eligibility. Meanwhile, All-Star Kyle Stowers has unquestionably made the biggest impact on the Marlins in 2025. A minor oblique injury will dilute his final overall numbers, but he has emerged as a trustworthy, middle-of-the-order bat. Stowers is under control through age 31 and no longer plays a premium defensive position on a regular basis. His MLB track record is also uneven, including sub-replacement-level performance last season. As much as fans want the Fish to express their gratitude to him in the form of a multi-year deal, the urgency to do so isn't really there. In a microscopic sample of 89 plate appearances, Jakob Marsee is looking like the ideal extension candidate. Marsee's well-rounded skill set has propelled him to a historically good first month in the majors. Also, he's represented by an agency, Dynamic Sports Group, with a relatively low profile in the baseball world and presumably eager to change that. More so than any other Marlins player, a contract covering his pre-arb, arbitration and early free agent years could be mutually beneficial. An important caveat: I don't think Marsee will stay on this otherworldly pace through season's end. If he does—if he continues to perform like literally the best player in Major League Baseball—I have a difficult time imagining him seeking an extension. Somebody who has yet to experience one iota of adversity through two full months at the highest level of competition ought to continue betting on themselves. My homemade rest-of-season projection for Marsee clones most of his current rate stats and counting stats while assuming a drop-off in his luck on balls in play. Let's go with three fewer singles remaining than he's recorded so far, two fewer doubles and one fewer triple. Even that is very generous to Marsee. This would result in the following rookie stat line: .308/.382/.641, 8 HR, 14 SB, 11.2 BB% and 23.6 K% in 46 games. That should generate approximately 3.0 fWAR. One other thing. As I got several hours deep into this exercise, I concluded there is enough analytical and entertainment value in here to justify charging money for it. If you are already a Fish On First SuperSub, you may continue scrolling without interruption! The rest of you will soon be implored to sign up. SuperSub support is absolutely vital to our survival. Relevant Contract #1: Brandon Lowe Prior to the 2019 season, Brandon Lowe and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed on a six-year, $24 million extension with club options for 2025 and 2026. If extended now, Marsee should insist on significantly more guaranteed money than Lowe got. You may be surprised by how much they have in common. View full article

Yes, between almost every pitch, he steps out quickly and takes a practice swing.

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the third and final game of Miami's home series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) CF Jakob Marsee (L) DH Agustín Ramírez C Liam Hicks (L) SS Otto Lopez LF Heriberto Hernández RF Troy Johnston (L) 1B Eric Wagaman 3B Javier Sanoja P Eury Pérez Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)

Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal readers. These notes apply to the second game of Miami's home series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Starting Lineup 2B Xavier Edwards (S) CF Jakob Marsee (L) C Agustín Ramírez 1B Liam Hicks (L) DH Eric Wagaman LF Troy Johnston (L) CF Derek Hill 3B Javier Sanoja RF Dane Myers SS Maximo Acosta P Janson Junk Click HERE to download the full game notes (preview below)