2021 Roster Review: Miami Marlins

67-95 (4th in Division; 25th in MLB)

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SP Wins: 32 (27th)

RP Wins: 35 (14th)

Saves: 33 (25th)

1+ Save: 3 (Dylan Floro, Yimi García 15, Anthony Bender 3)

100+ Ks: 3 (Sandy Alcantara 201, Trevor Rogers 157, Pablo López 115)

.260+ AVG (min. 350 PA): 2 (Miguel Rojas .265, Jesús Aguilar .261)

65+ Runs: 2 (Jazz Chisholm Jr. 70, Rojas 66)

65+ RBI: 2 (Aguilar 93, Adam Duvall 68 [total: 113, led NL])

10+ HRs: 4 (Aguilar, Duvall 22, Chisholm 18, Jesús Sánchez 14)

5+ SBs: 8 (Chisholm 23, Starling Marte 22 [total: 47, led MLB], Rojas 13, Magneuris Sierra 11, Jorge Alfaro, Jon Berti 8, Duvall, Brian Anderson 5)

BEST BUY: Pablo López

I love the trio of potential aces they have in Miami, but I think Lopez is the best bang for your buck. Alcantara is awesome and the market knows it. Rogers finished nicely and it went a bit under the radar, but the market isn’t sleeping on him. I would likely pay for either at market price, but Lopez will likely dip a bit behind those two.

While he did miss virtually the entire second half due to a shoulder issue, I love that Lopez finished the season on the mound even if it was just 1.7 innings. He was throwing 95-96 and looked healthy in the brief start. Lopez picked up where 2020 left off and had a fantastic 103 innings before hitting the IL and as long as he stays on track health-wise, I see him continuing to be a stud arm with high strikeout capability and great ratios.

ON THE RISE: Max Meyer

The #3 overall pick from 2020 was considered one of a handful of players from that draft who could’ve debuted last year, especially with Miami in the playoff mix. Instead, his pro debut came in Double-A this year where he reeled off 101 innings of an 18% K-BB, 2.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 3.34 FIP. He was rewarded with a pair of Triple-A starts where he struck out 17 and walked just 2 in 10 innings. The 23-year-old righty will almost certainly start back in Triple-A, but he likely won’t be there for long! He has a chance to be the next young star for the Marlins.

OFF THE RADAR: Lewin Díaz

Diaz flashed his raw power in a 40-game sample during which he had just an 82 wRC+, but also a .246 ISO. At Triple-A, he was at .270 ISO with a 121 wRC+ in 74 games. He is also a solid defender which could earn him additional playing time.

HOT TAKE: Jesús Sánchez hits 35 HR during a breakout season in 2022.

Sanchez got to show off his skills a bit this year, hitting 14 HR with a 116 wRC+ in 251 PA. He did strike out 31% of the time, but still managed a .251 AVG. He has a 21% K% in 730 PA at Double- and Triple-A while hitting .299, so there could be some AVG upside here, too. But the power is undeniable and with playing time, it could deliver a huge HR total.

ICYMI: Anthony Bender had a 29% K% in 61.3 IP, showing closer-worthy skills despite getting skipped over for Floro.

IF THE DH RETURNS: Jesús Aguilar would almost certainly play there with Diaz taking over at 1B. That would be a great fit for them.