Adjusting to the Hot Corner, Connor Norby Makes Marlins Debut

Miami, Florida— The Miami Marlins’ 2024 season went off the rails from the very first week of the campaign after an 0-9 start. Playoff hopes were instantly shattered, and fans were once again watching a losing product on the field, wondering when the front office would finally pull the plug on the season as the losses kept stacking up.

With the roster in place for 2024, this team had no clear future or identity. Still, Peter Bendix and Miami’s front office orchestrated a trade deadline fire sale extravaganza that led to saying goodbye to familiar veterans and hello to the potential future of the Fish.

One of the prospects received in the trade with the Baltimore Orioles that sent over Trevor Rogers was second baseman Connor Norby. After the trade was official, he instantly shot up Miami’s minor league rankings as their No.3 prospect. Norby joins a group of prospects the Marlins received from the flurry of trade deadline moves that have replenished an extremely weak minor league system.

Since May, Peter Bendix has added a plethora of talent to Miami's farm through trades alone, notably:

– CF Dillon Head
– 3B/1B Deyvison De Los Santos
– C Agustín Ramírez
– SS Jared Serna
– 2B Connor Norby
– LHP Robby Snelling
– RHP Adam Mazur
– 3B Graham Pauley

& much more.… pic.twitter.com/PXbiTC9zKm

— Nate Karzmer (@NateKarzmer) July 30, 2024

Norby made his Marlins debut this week, but that was not the first time Marlins fans saw him at loanDepot Park. As a member of the Orioles, Norby played against Miami when they were in town for a three-game series from July 23-25. It was a small sample size, and although Baltimore dropped the series, Norby made sure to leave his mark and give the hometown fans a glimpse of what he could do offensively.

Come for the Connor Norby HR.

Stay for the bullpen hat catch. 😮 pic.twitter.com/W4tNsQlOcx

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2024

Fast forward a month later, and he is sitting in the other dugout with the team that looks very different from the one he played against before the trade deadline. Primarily a second baseman, Norby’s Marlins debut was put on hold temporarily because the organization wanted to give him reps at third base in Triple-A- Jacksonville since Jake Burger and Jonah Bride look like the main first base/DH options moving forward.

After a few weeks in the minors, Norby was called up to the majors and was the starting third baseman for all three games against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The Marlins would ultimately get swept against Arizona, but Norby made an immediate impact.

In his debut game, he went 1-for-4 with a run batted in. His lone hit was an infield single, and he also brought in a run thanks to his speed by beating out a potential inning-ending double play with runners on first and third base.

Connor Norby beats out an infield single for his first hit with the @Marlins!

The club's No. 3 prospect was hitting .293/.382/.496 at Triple-A before his promotion: pic.twitter.com/6jzYCMB1JM

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 19, 2024

In the second game of the series, Norby went 2-for-4 with two doubles and was the only run for Miami in their 3-1 loss. He collected one more hit the following day in the series finale and finished with a .308 batting average in his first series as a member of the Marlins, going 4-13 and striking out only twice.

Throughout the series, Norby demonstrated good plate discipline and contact skills, showing his ability to handle major league pitching. Defensively, while Norby was playing out of position at third base, he was solid at the hot corner, displaying a strong throwing arm.

Marlins third baseman Connor Norby, at your service pic.twitter.com/YrRkC9t21X

— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) August 19, 2024

His versatility and willingness to adapt to a new role on the fly will go a long way as one of the original building blocks of this Marlins rebuild. While his transition to third base will come with a learning curve, his natural talent and adaptability suggest a bright future with the Fish.

Connor Norby ropes a double and the @Marlins have runners on 2nd and 3rd. pic.twitter.com/PnjeBMuyaC

— Marlins Radio Network (@MarlinsRadio) August 21, 2024