The season of 2024 is approaching. Will the Miami Marlins make it back to the postseason for the first time ever—or for the second straight season? Or will there be no playoffs for The Fish? Fangraphs presently projects the Fish for an 80–82 W–L record. Three players’ performances will have a significant impact on how Miami’s season unfolds.
For the Miami Marlins, three players will have the most impact.
1. SP EDWARD CABRERA
It is possible to project Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez to have successful seasons. In 31 games and 159.2 innings pitched in 2023, Braxton Garrett posted a 3.66 ERA/3.68 FIP, which was quite respectable. Although his projections may be comparable, there is a starting pitcher that has the ability to elevate the Miami Marlins rotation to among the top 5 in the league.
Carrera, Edward. Although the former #1 prospect has an excellent strikeout percentage (10.1 K/9 career), he has a dismal career 5.4 BB/9. That is the obstacle preventing Cabrera from reaching new heights. He pitched 71.2 innings in 14 games with a 3.01 ERA in 2022, which is why he was so good.
He might potentially play like he did in 2023, when he pitched 99.2 innings in 22 games and recorded a 4.24 ERA. Cabrera’s ability to put everything together and maintain control over his game might make The Fish’s rotation among the best in the Majors overall. However, if he struggles, it could put too much strain on The Fish’s rotation.
The Miami Marlins will make an unprecedented attempt to make the playoffs for the second time in a row in 2024. Jazz Chisholm JR. either winning the MVP award or missing the majority of it because of an injury; Edward Cabrera either becoming a true ace or struggling once more and adding to the load on the rotation; Eury Perez either maturing into a reliable ace or going through “growing pains” Without a doubt, these three guys can make an impact.
2. SP EURY PEREZ
Sandy Alcantara, the ace, is lost for the year. This indicates that a replacement for him is desperately needed by the Miami Marlins. While there are other apparent choices, none are as well-known as Eury Perez. Eury pitched in 19 games and 91.1 innings in 2023, recording a 3.15 ERA, 10.6 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9.
In 2023, Eury Perez appeared to be at the top of his game, but is he prepared to advance? Is he ever going to be a true ace? Or will he apply a “sophomore slump” and hit the brakes? Expect increasing discomfort because of his 4.11 FIP. He might be taking a step back to become more of a mid-rotation starter if those aches are severe for the upcoming season.
There will be increased pressure on Jesus Luzardo and other players if Eury fails in 2024 and is more of a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter. It’s excessively demanding of them and could be the final straw in the team’s hopes of qualifying for the postseason. But if Eury pitches like an ace, this might be sufficient to elevate The Fish’s rotation to among the best in the league. According to Steamer, he will have a 4.09 ERA in 2024. What happens if his ERA is more in line with 2023’s 3.15?
3. CF JAZZ CHISHOLM JR.
I have written extensively about his potential. Either Jazz may lead the offense or play on the injured list for the most of the campaign. This player, in just 60 games in 2022, was worth 2.4 WAR. I cannot emphasize this enough. Before the injury, he was on track for a 5 WAR season. He’s a fast hitter who can hit 20 or more home runs when healthy; all he needs to do to become a superstar is work on his contact. That plus, of course, maintaining your health.
For Jazz Chisholm Jr., staying well has been his weakness. Throughout his career, he has never scored more than 124 games. In actuality, he only participated in more than 100 games in a season once, during the 2021 campaign. He could be a contender for MVP if he can maintain his health. I fail to see how the offense will be good enough to qualify for the playoffs if he gets hurt again.
Another player who is kind of in a “make or break” year is Jazz Chisholm Jr. He might cease to be a building block if he misses a significant amount of time in the future.
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