Having been ranked 21st by FanGraphs coming into this season, the Miami Marlins bullpen was not projected to be very strong. This is despite ranking 12th in ERA, fifth in hits allowed, and fifth in walks allowed. They massively outperformed expectations in 2025, and instead of regressing to the mean, they have done the opposite. This year is meant to continue the slow and gradual rebuild of the Marlins. Instead, the Marlins’ bullpen is once again among the top half in Major League Baseball. Currently, they are allowing the third fewest runs, the fewest hits, and the fewest home runs among all 30 bullpens.
Marlins Bullpen Defying Expectations To Start the Season
This comes without the benefit of a big-name or highly paid bullpen. The Marlins have the lowest payroll in all of baseball, at $74 million. Pete Fairbanks, who was brought in to be the Marlins’ closer on a one-year, $13 million contract, has failed to repeat his standout year with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. He is pitching to a 6.75 ERA in nine appearances for the Marlins so far. Because of this, the fish are turning to some other arms to lock down the later innings.
Bright Spots in the Marlins Bullpen
One of these is veteran left-hander John King. Having spent his career before this season with the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals, King was signed to a very team-friendly $1.5 million deal for 2026. In his 11 appearances for the Marlins so far, he has been excellent, allowing one run on two hits and striking out 11 in 10 full innings. King is having a slight issue with walks, but has still proven to be solid whenever called upon.
Tyler Phillips, the other major bright spot in this bullpen, is continuing his fine form from last year. After being mismanaged by the Philadelphia Phillies early on in his career, Phillips has found his home as a reliever. He has been able to go an inning, and sometimes more, for the Marlins this year, performing admirably. Phillips has completed 15 innings so far, with one earned run and 18 strikeouts. In his last five games, he has come in to finish the game four times, earning a save. It is now possible that if Fairbanks’ struggles continue, the Marlins could go with Phillips as their closer going forward.
While King and Phillips have been the standout performers, there is hope that this bullpen as a whole can stay towards the top of the mountain and that they can maintain their success so far. The Marlins rotation is filled with a good mix of experience and potential. Maintaining a solid bullpen can allow them to compete at a higher level than was once thought.
Main Photo Credits: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
