Ely Sussman

Player status updates, insightful stats and more information to fully equip you for today's Marlins game. Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal SuperSubs. These notes apply to the second game of Miami's road series against the Toronto Blue Jays. View full article

There is pressure on those infielders to sustain what they did this season offensively because defensively, they are a terrible combination. That will negate some of the value they provide at the plate. I will have an article on Bride next week because he is especially fascinating. He could be a major asset for this team if he had a real position. He's among the worst defensive 1B I've ever seen in the majors.

Offishial News for 10/2/24 On Tuesday, Peter Bendix spent 12 minutes taking questions from the media at loanDepot park...and not providing much transparency with his answers. Asked repeatedly about Skip Schumaker leaving the Miami Marlins, he declined to elaborate on why the relationship ended and what efforts the team made to retain him ("I'm going to keep the private conversations that we had private"). Bendix also wouldn't comment on the future of the coaches who had been on Schumaker's coaching staff in 2024. Mere hours after the press conference, our own Isaac Azout learned that all of them are being let go amidst a "bloodbath" of baseball operations personnel changes. Many of those who lost their jobs had expiring contracts anyway and likely saw the writing on the wall, but it's nonetheless a bold step. Here's more Marlins news and content: 🔷 Previously outrighted to the minors by the Marlins, José Devers, Kent Emanuel, Cristian Pache and Ali Sánchez exercised their right to elect free agency. Among them, Sánchez had the longest stay on Miami's active roster in 2024, serving as backup catcher from late June through August. MLB Trade Rumors has a roundup of 30 other MiLB players from other organizations who also hit the open market on Tuesday. 🔷 Speaking of MLBTR, Matt Swartz shared his annual arbitration salary projections. Barring veteran offseason additions, the Marlins will have a smaller arbitration class than usual in 2025, consisting of Jesús Luzardo (projected $6.0M), Jesús Sánchez ($3.2M), Edward Cabrera ($2.2M), Braxton Garrett ($1.8M), Nick Fortes ($1.6M) and Anthony Bender ($1.4M). 🔷 No matter what, a former Marlin will receive a World Series ring this year. I listed 35 people with Fish ties whose current teams are participating in the MLB postseason. 🔷 Hector Rodriguez discusses which players stood out most during last month's Prep Baseball All-American Game in Miami. 🔷 Peter Pratt concluded his tenure as host of Locked On Marlins (final episodes embedded below). Peter's enthusiasm for the team is unmatched and I know his podcast was appreciated by many of you. Even though he's ending this chapter of his content creation career, I look forward to talking Fish with him frequently in the future. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Tigers, Royals, Mets and Padres won the opening games of their respective Wild Card Series matchups. Corbin Burnes and Michael King had terrific starts, though Burnes' came in a losing effort. The Giants hired recently retired franchise legend Buster Posey as their new president of baseball operations. The Cubs let go of first base coach Mike Napoli, hitting coach Jim Adduci and bullpen coach Darren Holmes; and the Pirates parted ways with hitting coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage. 🔷 Today's postseason schedule: Tigers vs. Astros Game 2 at 2:32 p.m. ET (Tigers lead 1-0) Royals vs. Orioles Game 2 at 4:38 p.m. ET (Royals lead 1-0) Mets vs. Brewers Game 2 at 7:38 p.m. ET (Mets lead 1-0) Braves vs. Padres Game 2 at 8:38 p.m. ET (Padres lead 1-0) Marlins podcast episodes View full article

Player status updates, insightful stats and more information to fully equip you for today's Marlins game. Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal SuperSubs. These notes apply to the first game of Miami's road series against the Toronto Blue Jays. View full article

Offishial News for 9/27/24 On Thursday, we were treated to a sloppy, but nonetheless extremely compelling contest. In terms of both time of game (4:16) and innings (13), it was the longest game that the Marlins have played in the pitch-clock era. Valente Bellozo (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 74 pitches/48 strikes) wrapped up his rookie season on a high note, but Miami's bullpen and defense let the Twins rally back to force extras. After both teams failed to drive in their "zombie runner" in the 11th and 12th innings, the Marlins pulled away for good in the 13th courtesy of Otto Lopez and Griffin Conine hits. Anthony Maldonado earned his first career win and Darren McCaughan earned his first career save. The Marlins won, 8-6. The Twins are on the verge of being eliminated. They must now sweep their season-ending series against the Orioles and hope that either the Tigers or Royals get swept in their series. Here's more Marlins news and content: 🔷 Big addition to Miami's farm system: Cuban INF Luis Manuel León. Francys Romero reports that he'll be signing in the coming weeks for $1.5M. Expect him to crack the Fish On First Top 30 list once the acquisition becomes official. 🔷 In what figures to be the final Marlins roster move of the 2024 regular season, Mike Baumann is due back from the paternity list. Maldonado filled in for Baumann during the Twins series and seems like a prime candidate to get optioned back to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. 🔷 Entering the final Marlins series, here's an updated look at the Prediction Time leaderboard. Reigning champ @Daniel Rodriguezis clinging to a one-point lead. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub. 🔷 Jesús Luzardo is the Marlins nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Luzardo here through Sunday. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Dodgers clinched the NL West and the Yankees clinched the AL East. Freddie Freeman hurt his right ankle, but is hopeful about being ready to play in the NLDS. Aaron Judge homered for the 58th time. The White Sox swept the Angels. 🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Adam Oller) begin their final regular season series against the Blue Jays (RHP José Berríos). First pitch at 7:07 p.m. ET. 🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE today from 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. Special guest: @Gabriel Revilla. FOF LIVE is presented by Berger & Hicks. If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, give them a call at (305) 670-7050. Marlins podcast episodes View full article

León will reportedly receive a $1.5M bonus, the largest for any international amateur that the Fish have signed this year. Annually, the vast majority of international free agent activity is concentrated around January 15, but there are occasionally exceptions. The Miami Marlins are making a very, very, very big exception for Cuban prospect Luis Manuel León. According to Beisbol FR's Francys Romero, León is expected to officially sign with the club "in the coming weeks" for a $1.5M bonus. The 18-year-old León will be the highest-paid player in Miami's 2024 signing class, accounting for approximately 23% of their $6.52M bonus pool, edging out Venezuelan OF Luis Cova ($1.4M). He'll also be the only Cuban in the class. The Marlins pursued León for more than a year, attending a showcase held in Delray Beach, Florida, way back in June 2023. Romero reports that he "posted a 6.2-second time in the 60-yard dash and showed off a 60-grade arm both at shortstop and in center field. As a hitter, he impressed with a fluid, compact swing, capable of hitting to all areas of the field, with potential to develop power." León is listed at 6'2" and 175 pounds. León intended to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals shortly after the showcase, settling for the $850k they had left to spend during the 2023 signing period rather than having to wait for the following year. "However, the deal fell through due to issues with registration and free agency eligibility," per Romero. The MLB commissioner's office finally declared him a free agent in April 2024. Romero specifies that four members of the Marlins international scouting department were thorough in their evaluation of León, including Adrian Lorenzo, who left his position as senior director of international scouting a full year ago. David Hernandez-Beayne was recently promoted to lead the department. León's older brother, Pedro, is an outfielder in the Houston Astros organization who made his major league debut earlier this season. It is typical for international amateurs to begin their affiliated ball careers in the Dominican Summer League. Due to León's drawn-out signing process, he'll be significantly older than the DSL competition in 2025 (turning 19 on July 21). He could make his minor league debut in the Florida Complex League instead to expedite his development. Romero adds that the Marlins still have $167,500 left in their 2024 bonus pool. They have until December 15 to use it or lose it. As Fish On First previously reported, the Marlins already have big plans for the 2025 signing class, featuring CF/SS Andrew Salas, 3B Juan Tomás and RHP Kevin Defrank. View full article

Player status updates, insightful stats and more information to fully equip you for today's Marlins game. Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal SuperSubs. These notes apply to the third and final game of Miami's road series against the Minnesota Twins. View full article

Offishial News for 9/26/24 On Wednesday, the Marlins offense got off to a fast start, knocking Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson out of the game in the top of the second inning. Minnesota's bullpen silenced them the rest of the way, though, striking out 14 and issuing zero walks across eight scoreless frames. The Twins scored eight unanswered runs, in large part thanks to four Miami errors. Edward Cabrera posted a 3.57 ERA with a solid (by his standards) 10.7% walk rate in 11 post-trade deadline starts. The Marlins lost, 8-3. With this result, the Marlins ensured that they will have the highest odds possible (22.45%) of winning the 2025 MLB Draft lottery. They're hoping to receive the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2000. Here's more Marlins news and content: 🔷 The full delegation that the Marlins will send to the Arizona Fall League: OF Kemp Alderman, INF Jay Beshears, LHP Justin King, LHP Patrick Monteverde, OF Andrew Pintar, RHP Jun-Seok Shim, LHP Justin Storm and RHP Brandon White (plus coaches Esmerling De La Rosa and Gabe Ortiz). Shim is the second-youngest pitcher participating in the AFL, while Monteverde (last season's Futures Game selection and Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year) is among the oldest. They'll begin competing with the Peoria Javelinas on October 8. 🔷 Cristian Pache unsurprisingly cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Jacksonville. His tenure with the Marlins organization is likely over regardless, as he'll be able to elect minor league free agency in November. 🔷 Nicole and Michael Baumann welcomed their baby boy, Bowen, into the world on Tuesday. Baumann is expected to rejoin the Fish in Toronto on Friday. 🔷 Jesús Luzardo is the Marlins nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Luzardo here through Sunday. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, seven teams are still in contention for the final four playoff spots. Inclement weather has postponed two games of the crucial Mets/Braves series until Monday. If necessary to determine postseason berths, the Mets will fly back to Atlanta to play a straight doubleheader. Aaron Judge hit his 57th homer. A 2-for-24 slump from Luis Arraez has reopened the NL batting title race. Marcell Ozuna (.310) is now only four points behind Arraez (.314). 🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Valente Bellozo) conclude their series against the Twins (RHP David Festa). It's another must-win for the Twins, whose playoff odds have dropped to 22.1%, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 7:40 p.m. ET. Marlins podcast episodes View full article

Player status updates, insightful stats and more information to fully equip you for today's Marlins game. Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal SuperSubs. These notes apply to the second game of Miami's road series against the Minnesota Twins. View full article

Offishial News for 9/25/24 On Tuesday, the Marlins did that all-too-familiar thing where they put a few runs on the scoreboard early, but couldn't add on from there. Against the slumping Twins, it was enough. Jonah Bride, Nick Fortes and Xavier Edwards each drove in runs during the second inning. Dane Myers came off the bench and drew a walk in his return from the injured list. The Marlins won, 4-1. It was Ryan Weathers' first win since May 26. Here's more Marlins news and content: 🔷 Cristian Pache was designated for assignment as the corresponding move for Myers. Pache might not have become a Marlin in the first place without Myers' injury, which created a temporary need for a right-handed-hitting outfielder with center field ability. During his two months on the roster, Pache failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The former top prospect slashed .183/.234/.283 in 35 games, almost precisely aligned with his career slash line, and it isn't as if he brought much to the table as a baserunner. Pache's defense was fine, but not extraordinary. The Marlins are the fifth MLB team in the last four years to get rid of Pache. Assuming he wants to continue his playing career, his options are likely limited to international and independent leagues. 🔷 Congratulations to Nicole and Mike Baumann, who are awaiting the arrival of their first child (Baumann was placed on the paternity list prior to Tuesday's game). 🔷 Jesús Luzardo is the Marlins nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Luzardo here through Sunday. 🔷 On this day eight years ago, José Fernández and two other young men perished in a boating accident. It was nothing short of a franchise-altering tragedy. Just 24 years old, Fernández had already established himself as one of baseball's elite starting pitchers, always delivering a mesmerizing viewing experience with his limitless charisma and unhittable stuff. He was deeply embraced by the South Florida community in part because of his backstory, which included defecting from Cuba with his mother at age 15. JDF still owns numerous Marlins records and his dominance in home starts specifically will never be matched. Nobody on the team has worn uniform No. 16 since his passing. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Padres clinched a postseason berth, finishing off a win over the Dodgers by turning a ninth-inning triple play. The Athletics drew 30,402 fans to the Oakland Coliseum to witness a walk-off. Aaron Judge hit his 56th home run. Charlie Blackmon announced his retirement. He was actually drafted by the Marlins out of high school (28th round in 2004), but did not sign, ultimately spending his entire professionally career with the Rockies where he was a four-time All-Star who accrued 20.4 fWAR/20.8 bWAR. 🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter RHP Edward Cabrera) continue their series against the Twins (RHP Simeon Woods Richardson). It's pretty much a must-win for the Twins, whose playoff odds have dropped to 27.0%, per FanGraphs. First pitch at 7:40 p.m. ET. Marlins podcast episodes View full article

Player status updates, insightful stats and more information to fully equip you for today's Marlins game. Here are the latest Miami Marlins game notes, produced by the Marlins communications department and relayed to our loyal SuperSubs. These notes apply to the first game of Miami's road series against the Minnesota Twins. View full article

I've been really discouraged by Stowers. Even if he is decent defensively in CF, don't think you can enter next year forecasting him to be the main option there. I would have Dane firmly ahead of him on the depth chart.

Thank you for the correction. I did know that! I'm just more prone to errors when writing too late at night/too early in the morning.

Offishial News for 9/24/24 On Monday, Fish On First's Isaac Azout reported that Dane Myers will be reinstated from the injured list prior to the start of the Marlins/Twins series. Myers spent the previous week on a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville, slashing .333/.429/.833 with no strikeouts in four games. The 28-year-old is coming back from a left ankle fracture that he sustained in July during a post-ejection tantrum. 🔷 MLB Pipeline has new scouting reports on INF/OF Andrew Salas and RHP Kevin Defrank, who have deals in place to sign with the Marlins on January 15. Salas and Defrank rank fourth and 39th, respectively, on Pipeline's list of Top 50 international prospects for the 2025 signing period. 🔷 Joe Mack is Baseball America's Marlins 2024 Minor League Player of the Year. Cool tidbit from BA's Walter Villa about how Mack's Pensacola teammates dispensed advice on weight training, proper sleep and better nutrition this season. 🔷 For their flight to Minnesota, Marlins rookie players and staff dressed up in costumes, including Eury Pérez as Big Bird, Otto Lopez as Papa Smurf, Declan Cronin as a leprechaun, Adam Oller as a clown, and Valente Bellozo, Javier Sanoja and Jhonny Pereda as members of a mariachi band. 🔷 Looks like the 2024 Prediction Time contest title will go to either @Daniel Rodriguez, @Nicholas Milton, @Sean Millerick or @Alec Chao. With only two Marlins series remaining, here's an updated look at the Prediction Time leaderboard. Make series predictions with us all season long when you become a Fish On First SuperSub. 🔷 Jesús Luzardo is the Marlins nominee for the 2024 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Luzardo here through Sunday. 🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, the Tigers control their own destiny in the American League Wild Card race. They've made the bold decision to call up RHP Jackson Jobe, arguably baseball's top pitching prospect. The Phillies clinched the NL East title, their first since 2011. With their next loss, the White Sox will set a new modern-era, single-season MLB record. 🔷 Today's MLB game: the Marlins (probable starter LHP Ryan Weathers) begin their final 2024 road trip against the Twins (RHP Bailey Ober). It's a crucial game for the Twins, who have a 51.3% chance to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs. With a loss or an Angels win, the Marlins can clinch the best possible odds of winning the 2025 MLB Draft lottery. First pitch at 7:40 p.m. ET. 🔷 Join us for a new episode of Fish On First LIVE today from 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET on YouTube/Twitter/Facebook. Special guests: Gregg Masterson of Twins Daily and Jonathan Mayer. FOF LIVE is presented by Berger & Hicks. If you’ve been injured as a result of somebody else’s negligence, give them a call at (305) 670-7050. Marlins podcast episodes View full article

The Offishial Show—Episode #218 Expect to see a much different group of players on the field for the Miami Marlins when the 2025 season begins. Attempting to predict the return of injured players, prospect promotions, spring training position battles and offseason acquisitions, four Fish On First staffers held a six-round draft of Opening Day roster candidates and explained reach of their selections. Nate Karzmer: Jesús Sánchez, Sandy Alcantara, Braxton Garrett, Nick Fortes, Jesús Tinoco and Matt Moore (bonus round) Isaac Azout: Connor Norby, Declan Cronin, Jonah Bride, Kyle Stowers, Javier Sanoja and Andrew Kittredge (bonus round) Kevin Barral: Xavier Edwards, Ryan Weathers, Calvin Faucher, Dane Myers, Deyvison De Los Santos and Amed Rosario (bonus round) Ely Sussman: Jesús Luzardo, Jake Burger, Otto Lopez, Andrew Nardi, Edward Cabrera and Walker Buehler (bonus round) Find The Offishial Show on the Fish On First YouTube channel, our new-look Apple Podcasts channel and wherever else you get your pods. FOF's audio programming also includes Fish Unfiltered, Swimming Upstream, Big Fish Small Pod and more. The Fish On First podcast is presented by MPT College Consulting! They pride themselves on helping clients navigate the college application process. This includes preparation for standardized testing, guidance through high school, assistance with essays and applications, and choosing the right college. Visit them today at mptcollegeconsulting.com to learn more about their services and schedule a free consultation. The following players on the current Marlins active roster entering the final week of the 2024 season were not drafted: Shaun Anderson, Lake Bachar, Mike Baumann, Valente Bellozo, Anthony Bender, Vidal Bruján, Jeff Conine, Xzavion Curry, Derek Hill, Darren McCaughan, Adam Oller, Cristian Pache, Jhonny Pereda, Michael Petersen and Anthony Veneziano. Follow Ely (@RealEly), Isaac (@IsaacAzout), Kevin (@kevin_barral), Nate (@NateKarzmer) and Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) on Twitter. Join the Marlins Discord server! Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at FishOnFirst.com. View full article