Miami Marlins 2025 Preview: Year 1 of Clayton McCullough

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Miami, Florida – The wait for the Miami Marlins is over; another MLB season is upon us with new coach Clayton McCullough at the helm for the fish. Miami enters the year in the opening phase of yet another rebuild after finishing the fire sale that began on May 4th, 2024, with the Luis Arraez trade concluding with shipping out Jake Burger and Jesús Luzardo in December. The front office declared an active offseason only for fans to experience otherwise. Aside from those previously mentioned, all that happened was Vidal Bruján getting traded for Matt Mervis and the team introducing its 17th skipper. The ballclub was one of the last to sign a free agent doing so in February with Cal Quantrill.

Powering up for Opening Day! Only 2 days left 💥 pic.twitter.com/CB0UYTQywp

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 25, 2025

The upcoming campaign features a young core of players, a new coaching staff, and a revamped front office. Although management has appeared optimistic about 2025, fans and experts alike say expectations are low, real low. One of the most glaring statements on what lies in store is Jeff Passan reporting that ace Sandy Alcántara will be on an innings limit to have him ready for the playoffs. Playoffs? What playoffs? Sandy will be gone by the trade deadline. If that weren’t enough, several players are injured to begin the year. Jesús Sánchez (oblique), Ryan Weathers (forearm), Connor Norby (oblique), Edward Cabrera (blister), Eury Pérez (Tommy John), Andrew Nardi (lower back), and Braxton Garrett (elbow) are all on the IL. The season will only be about one thing: Player evaluations, especially those acquired during 2024’s trade deadline.

The countdown is on—3 days to go! Lock in your Legends Level ticket and get the commemorative Sandy vs Skenes tee to match. 🔥

🎟️ https://t.co/V8hdwk7VYC pic.twitter.com/vf4HVILEbx

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 24, 2025

The Bats: Foundation for the Future?

Several players are worth watching to see if there is any sustained progression. Starting behind the plate, the Fish will have veteran Nick Fortes and newcomer Liam Hicks. Fortes will be the starter on Opening Day. Hicks, meanwhile, is set to make his MLB debut in a few days managing to crack the roster. He was selected in the Rule 5 Draft from the Detroit Tigers’ farm system back in December.

Xavier Edwards' magnificent spring continues.

He's now slashing .341/.449/.488 with six extra-base hits and nine RBI. pic.twitter.com/b10JP3f4m3

— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) March 18, 2025

Elsewhere in the infield, fans will enjoy the one-two punch of Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez. Edwards is considered a breakout candidate (one of two) after slashing .328 /.397/.423 with a .820 OPS through 70 games last season. The shortstop has continued where he left off, hitting .308 during spring. Lopez is considered one of the best second basemen on defense, shoring up the middle to support the pitching. Otto hit .270 last season, including six homers, 39 RBIs, and 20 steals. The 26-year-old has the speed to increase it to 30.

Norby’s four-week absence temporarily opens the door at third base. Jonah Bride, Eric Wagaman, and Graham Pauley might rotate between the hot corner and DH. Bride and Wagaman will also platoon with Matt Mervis at first. Pauley was originally optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville. Acquired via the Trevor Rogers trade, Connor is another breakout candidate for the Marlins. Last year’s 36-game sample size illustrated his potential. With Lopez at second, Norby needed to learn a new position. If he improves his defense and maintains success at the plate, the former No. 5 prospect will match expectations.

Another blow to the #Marlins. Least severe outcome but he's out for a bit, a few weeks according to reporting. https://t.co/dmp2aeTUAg

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 25, 2025

With Sánchez on the IL to start 2025, the outfield will see different combinations of Kyle Stowers, Griffin Conine, Dane Myers, and Derek Hill. Lastly, No. 15 prospect Javier Sanoja will serve when guys need a day off.

Sandy returns to lead bruised starting rotation

2022 Cy Young winner, Sandy Alcantara, may be back, but the starting rotation is far from full strength. Weathers is the latest hit and will be out for 4-6 weeks due to a left forearm strain. Cabrera will miss at least the first two rotations. Pérez will likely return around the All-Star break. Garrett is out for the year, recovering from left elbow surgery in mid-December. Weathers’ injury ensures the starting rotation is entirely right-handed with the addition of Valente Bellozo (9.45 ERA/1.80 WHIP/13.1 IP/13 K).

So it begins. Ryan Weathers is out for the next 4-6 weeks due to a left forearm strain. Gillispie had won the 5th spot in the rotation while Bellozo was brought in from bullpen to replace Weathers. https://t.co/0IORIChc4Y

— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) March 25, 2025

Quantrill, a depth addition, settled down for spring training after a rocky start. He threw four scoreless innings in Friday night’s 6-0 win over the Nationals. Max Meyer positioned himself into the starters due to a combination of injuries and a good spring, which creates the possibility of putting together a decent year on the mound. Connor Gillispie was intended to help in the bullpen, but events have changed the staff’s calculus. Gillispie had a sharp preseason, putting up a 0.75 ERA and 0.42 WHIP during 12 innings of work over five appearances, including two starts.

Questions remain in the pen

The bullpen has as much uncertainty as any other aspect of the team. Nardi was placed on the 60-Day IL after a setback earlier this month. He will return in April. Although spring training stats are taken with a grain of salt, barely anyone stands out among relievers. Lake Bachar saw the most success, garnering a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through eight appearances and almost 11 innings of work, striking out nine. Anthony Bender, meanwhile, put up a 5.19 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through eight and two-thirds innings adding 10 K’s. Bender is seen as one of the mainstays in the pen and will be needed to shore up the relief effort.

Padres legend Lake Bachar pic.twitter.com/EfBcYs2LGH

— Michael Shin (@MichaelUCSD) September 18, 2024

Anthony Veneziano (4.66 ERA/1.97 WHIP/9.2 IP/8 K) is the sole lefty. He will be joined by Jesus Tinoco (9.72 ERA/2.04 WHIP/8.1 IP/7 K), Ronny Henriquez (5.14 ERA/1.29 WHIP/7 IP/8 K), George Soriano (5.91 ERA/1.50 WHIP/10.2 IP/10 K), and Tyler Phillips. Phillips was recently DFA’d by the Philadelphia Phillies. He had a few great starts last year before struggling, finishing with a 4-1 record and a 6.87 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts). Spring saw more of the same, but Phillips finished strong. Calvin Faucher (7.04 ERA/1.70 WHIP/7.2 IP/6 K) will likely get first dibs as the team’s closer. Coach McCullough has stated confidence that the righties can deal with left-handed hitting. He may add former prospect Josh Simpson at some point if problems occur.

Prediction

When spring training started, I figured the team’s ceiling was 70 wins. I’m talking if everything went right. With all that’s going on, it’s a 65-97 record at best, generous for many. The Miami Marlins have lacked power at the plate since 2017, nearly a decade ago. The pitching is so banged up that The Sand Man might make little difference, especially since he’s trade bait. Alcantara is one step closer to being shipped out with every win or quality start. The bullpen appears to be on the verge of regression.

Sandy Alcantara, 99mph ⛽️

Welcome back! pic.twitter.com/xreLdjmU5c

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 23, 2025

Sandy will get team Cy Young, and Xavier Edwards should be the team MVP. If there’s something to look forward to besides the return of the Marlins’ best pitcher, it’s the call-ups of Agustin Ramírez and Deyvison De Los Santos. Overall, Coach McCullough has his work cut out for him. All I can say is, enjoy the high points and wins, for they will be scarce.

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