The 2024 season is right around the corner. Which Marlins players can improve their game and help the fish make it deep into the playoffs? The Marlins have undeniably improved over the last couple of years. They even made a playoff appearance, making it to the Wild Card game last season. Key players such as Luis Arraez, Jake Burger, and Jorge Soler catalyzed this postseason run. Unfortunately, the fish got swept, but what three players could elevate their game this season and lead the Marlins past the Wild Card series?
Marlins Players Who Can Improve Their Game This Season
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is a young, rising star for the Marlins. He is an all-star about to start his fifth season with the Marlins. In 2023, he posted 19 HR and 51 RBI in 97 games. Defensively, he can play either second base or centerfield, but recently, he has been primarily at centerfield. The problem here is he can’t stay healthy. His last season, where he played over 100 games, was 2021. If he can stay healthy, he can have a 20+ home run season and be the pop to push the Marlins over the edge and deep into the playoffs.
Fan graph projects that he should play in back games. Zips projects that he will play in 110 games and post 19 HR with 61 RBI. In the upcoming season, Chisholm faces a pivotal opportunity to showcase his reliability and consistency as a key player for the Marlins. It’s a make-or-break moment to prove whether he can stay healthy and deliver consistently or remain a wildcard player prone to injury setbacks.
Make it a two-homer day for Jazz Chisholm Jr, this one 108.7 mph off his bat. .375/.429/.719 slash.
In rough spring training for the Marlins, courtesy of a slew of blows to their starting rotation, Jazz looks primed to put the club on his back in 2024. pic.twitter.com/A60AsxXNH9
— Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) March 19, 2024
Sixto Sanchez
Before spring training, RHP Sixto Sánchez had not been on the mound since Game 3 of the 2020 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. He missed a substantial amount of time due to having to undergo two shoulder surgeries. The Marlins kept hope in him, though, as he was a highly ranked prospect. In addition, he was the major acquisition from the J.T. Realmuto trade with the Phillies. In spring training, the Marlins have finally seen Sanchez’s potential. In his four spring training outings, he’s delivered six scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out four. His fastball consistently reaches the mid-90s, with a peak of 99 mph during his two-inning stint. Sanchez’s changeup still looks solid, and he incorporates sliders and cutters more often. He will most likely be a reliever for the Marlins this season.
“I’m very grateful for that chance and that opportunity to keep me here and wait for me to get back to the show and the big-league level,” Sanchez said. That just showed me that I’ve got to keep working and keep improving and show that I can come back and do my job.”
Eury Perez
With the Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara out for the season, there are notable young starting pitchers who can take his place. Besides Jesús Luzardo, Eury Pérez wants to improve his game even more this season and become a household name in the Marlins rotation. In 2023, he posted a 5-6 record in 19 starts with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Perez works with a three-pitch mix of a four-seam fastball, changeup, and curveball. Having shown glimpses of ace potential in 2023, the question arises: Is Eury Perez prepared to elevate his performance to the next level and establish himself as an ace? Hopefully, his rookie year wasn’t a fluke, and he can help Luzardo lead the Marlins rotation. Zips projects he will have a 7-7 record with a 3.63 ERA.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
