Fish On First Staff

Our Miami Marlins livestreams keep you plugged in and entertained leading up to Opening Day, with special guests and honest analysis of the team. This week's special guest is Marlins radio announcer Kyle Sielaff. Sielaff is entering his 12th season with the Marlins Radio Network and his second as the lead play-by-play voice of the franchise. On the eve of the inaugural pitchers and catchers workout in Jupiter, we'll get Sielaff's thoughts on Miami's unconventional offseason and his main takeaways from conducting interviews with key players and front office personnel. As always, you're encouraged to participate in the live chat via YouTube and Twitter to ask questions and share your own takes.

Our Miami Marlins livestreams keep you plugged in and entertained leading up to Opening Day, with special guests and honest analysis of the team. Topics that could potentially be covered on this episode include: The Marlins' acquisition of Jonah Bride Jordan Groshans getting designated for assignment Reflections on the trade that sent J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies five years ago Flipped Fish trivia (Marlins/Athletics player) A preview of the 2024 Caribbean Series semifinals As always, you're encouraged to participate in the live chat via YouTube and Twitter to ask questions and share your own takes.

Acquired by the Marlins via trade from the Padres in May 2024 August 2025 update: Head was the youngest piece sent to the Marlins in the return for Luis Arraez. His speed was considered elite at the time of acquisition and he has continued to stand out in that regard coming off hip surgery. As Head continues to grow, he will need to avoid trying to force power and instead come by it more naturally while also taking what he can get and letting his speed go to work for him. With good bat speed and plenty of physical projection left, there’s room for Head to put polish on raw tools as the years go on. Injury history Left hip femoral acetabular impingement surgery in 2024 Unspecified minor injury in 2025 FOF Top 30 history May 2024: #5 July 2024: #6 August 2024: #11 October 2024: #10 December 2024: #10 January 2025: #12 March 2025: #9 May 2025: #7 June 2025: #6 August 2025: #9 September 2025: #8 October 2025: #7 January 2026: #9 April 2026: #9

Signed by the Marlins ($750k bonus) in 2022. June 2026 update: An undersized switch-hitter, Solano has homered only once since making his professional debut in 2022. Any hope of Solano sticking at shortstop vanished during rookie ball. He has not made a minor league appearance there since 2022, and beginning in 2026, he's getting occasional reps at the corner outfield spots.

Drafted by the Marlins in 2023 (19th round, $125k signing bonus) October 2024 update: Olmstead was quietly one of the best offensive players in the Marlins organization during the final month of the 2024 MiLB campaign. He generates a formidable amount of pull-side power despite a slender frame. Defensively, he's best suited for second base.

Signed by the Marlins in 2024 ($350k bonus) August 2024 update: The high-waisted, Dominican right-hander begins his professional career with a three-pitch mix: fastball (sits 93-94 mph, t96 mph), changeup (86-87) and curveball (75-77). Paulino limited DSL opponents to a .129 batting average in his debut season, though he was limited to only seven appearances. FOF Top 30 history 2024 preseason: #26

Drafted by the Marlins in 2022 (second round, $1.7M signing bonus) January 2026 update: Miller's command took a leap forward in 2024, but that looks like an outlier in hindsight. His fastball velocity is below average for a right-hander (sitting around 92 mph) and there isn't much physical projection left, though his sinker frequently induces ground balls. When ahead in the count, his slider and curveball can both be quality putaway pitches. There was a full run gap between Miller's ERA (4.59) and FIP (3.56) in 2025. That can be partially explained by his struggles to control the running game. Opponents stole 37 bases against him. Vndnd1JfV0ZRVkV3dEdEUT09X0JRRllVZ0lNQlFzQVcxZFVBd0FIQ1FJRUFGaFdXd2NBQmxNRUJsY0VBZ29CQmdkUg==.mp4 FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #17 May 2024: #11 July 2024: #16 August 2024: #23 October 2024: #21 December 2024: #21 January 2025: #24 March 2025: #26 May 2025: #22 June 2025: #21

Signed by the Marlins in 2023 ($650k bonus). August 2024 update: López plays impressive shortstop defense. However, he underwhelmed at the plate in his stateside debut, including a 3-for-39 slump to close out the complex league season. FOF Top 30 history 2024 preseason: #22

Drafted by the Marlins in 2023 (second round, $1.4M signing bonus) June 2026 update: Alderman posts exit velocities that rival any other player in the Marlins organization. He crushes home runs to the opposite field just as effortlessly as he does to the pull side. He had steadily trimmed his strikeout rate to approximately league average, though this season has been a step backwards in that regard. Alderman doesn't cover much ground in right field, but he has the arm to provide some value there. Early this season, he began making multiple starts per week at first base. He's on track to make his MLB debut by the end of 2026. Injury history Hamate (2024) Left elbow sprain (2026) Professional awards/accolades 2024 Fall Stars Game selection 2025 Southern League Player of the Week (x3) 2025 Southern League All-Star 2025 Marlins Minor League Player of the Year 2026 Spring Breakout participant FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #24 August 2024: #30 October 2024: honorable mention December 2024: honorable mention May 2025: #23 June 2025: #22 August 2025: #16 September 2025: #15 October 2025: #8 January 2026: #10 April 2026: #8 June 2026: #9

Signed by the Marlins via international free agency in 2024 ($450k bonus) August 2025 update: Castro set a Dominican Summer League single-season record with 16 home runs in 52 games. The tall right-handed batter has an extreme pull-happy approach (fourth-highest pull rate among DSL qualifiers in 2025, per FanGraphs). The vast majority of Castro's defensive reps have come in right field. 1vHMcAJ1ltBzJSRe.mp4

Signed by the Marlins via international free agency in 2023 ($405k bonus) January 2026 update: A full-time center fielder in his debut season, De La Cruz was used exclusively at the corner spots in 2025. Although still a small sample, his inability to hit left-handed pitching is concerning (career .159/.310/.174 slash line and 33.3 K% in 84 PA). Professional awards/accolades/milestones 2023 Dominican Summer League All-Star

Signed by the Marlins via international free agency in 2023 ($520k bonus) August 2025 update: Valor rebounded from a slow start to have a very solid full-season debut in 2025, leading Low-A Jupiter in home runs and stolen bases. He continues to be a plus runner while filling out his 6'3" frame. On the concerning side, he struck out in nearly 30% of his matchups against right-handed pitchers. Defensively, Valor has found his niche in right field after previously focusing on center field in the complex league. FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #12 May 2024: #15 July 2024: #7 August 2024: #12 October 2024: #12 December 2024: #12 January 2025: #15 March 2025: #13 May 2025: #12 June 2025: #11 August 2025: #12 September 2025: #11 October 2025: #11 January 2026: #16

Drafted by the Marlins in 2021 (eighth round, $47.5k signing bonus) January 2026 update: Monteverde has a conventional starter's pitch mix: four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His heater typically sits 89-91 mph, significantly below-average velocity even for a lefty. On the other hand, he's got good control and does not shy away from throwing inside to right-handed batters. The Marlins selected Monteverde as their 2023 Minor League Pitcher of the Year and he represented them at the Futures Game that summer. Monteverde made his MLB debut in early 2025, but was designated for assignment after only one appearance. He cleared waivers and remains with the organization. Injury history Underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 Professional awards/accolades/milestones April 2023 Southern League Pitcher of the Month 2023 Futures Game selection 2023 Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year 2023 Southern League All-Star 2024 & 2025 spring training non-roster invitee FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #15 May 2024: #18

Drafted by the Marlins in 2022 (third round, $1.5M signing bonus) June 2026 update: Milbrandt's fastball velocity has been sitting in the mid-90s more consistently than it was in previous seasons. The right-hander's slider is a true plus offering and a new kick change has added depth to his arsenal. Left-handed batters still cause some trouble for him. Milbrandt's mechanics tend to suddenly get out of sync, making him vulnerable to blow-up innings. Walks continue to be an issue against lefties. His May 2026 performance with Double-A Pensacola (0.94 ERA and 47 K in 28.2 IP) was among the best for any individual month in Marlins minor league history. Pitch mix karson milbrandt pitch mix 2025.mp4 Injury history Fluid build-up in right arm (2025) Professional awards/accolades 2025 Midwest League Pitcher of the Week 2025 High-A Beloit MVP 2025 Fall Stars Game selection 2026 Spring Breakout participant 2026 Southern League Pitcher of the Week (x2) 2026 Futures Game selection FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #11 May 2024: #12 July 2024: #13 August 2024: #18 October 2024: #18 December 2024: #18 January 2025: #21 March 2025: #23 May 2025: #21 June 2025: #20 August 2025: #20 September 2025: #19 October 2025: #13 January 2026: #13 April 2026: #10 June 2026: #6

Signed via international free agency in 2022 ($150k bonus) August 2025 update: The leap from rookie ball to Low-A has proven challenging for De La Cruz, with a strike rate hovering around 55% across his multiple stints with the Hammerheads. The right-hander's fastball velocity has not increased as initially projected—he's been sitting in the low 90s in 2025. FOF Top 30 history March 2024: #16 May 2024: #19 July 2024: #17 August 2024: #19 October 2024: #17 December 2024: #17 January 2025: #20 March 2025: #22