Miami Unscathed

 

The Marlins only lost two players at the trade deadline. Anthony Bass and Zach Pop. Two relievers...two...very replaceable relievers.

I mean, considering that the previous year they lost Starling Marte, Adam Cimber, Corey Dickerson, Adam Duvall and a few others, that's pretty damned tame. And even as the Marlins are under .500 and not planning on doing anything the rest of the year, it's clear that they're building something for the next few years, and it's looking pretty damned good.

Firstly, while Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez are still the overpowering heads of the rotation, support is finally hatching beneath them. Braxton Garrett is having a great full season, with a 3.88 ERA and 66 Ks in 11 starts. He's not 100% yet, but he's providing decent numbers and is a bit more reliable than Trevor Rogers, who is sophomore slumping hard this year. Jesus Luzardo is also FINALLY becoming the well-adjusted starter the A's waited years for him to become. He's back from the IL, and has a 3.97 ERA and 47 Ks in 7 starts. And then after so many other prospective starters got injured, Nick Neidert is off to a nice start so far as a fifth guy, and hopefully he'll stay pretty consistent. 

Meanwhile, the kids are blossoming pretty well in the lineup. Nick Fortes is attempting to steal the starting catching gig out from under Jacob Stallings, and is hitting .269 with 15 RBIs in 36 games. J.J. Bleday and Charles Leblanc are doing pretty well in the majors, and Leblanc has been pretty sturdy so far at third. Even former Phillies prospect Luke Williams is doing a nice job as a backup outfielder. Yes, a lot of this team is injured, and that is hurting their 2022 prospects, but all these depth pieces popping in to help is proving that they could get a lot done in the near future. It honestly just involves waiting for all the guys who are there to move, I guess.

The Marlins are, and have continued to be, an unmemorable player in the NL picture. What I am seeing this month is making me think that won't last forever.

Coming Tonight- And to think, this guy didn't even start the year in the rotation.