The Miami Marlins are finally back in action.
After a decent offseason and notable Spring Training, new general manager Kim Ng has shown her value in the front office early on.
“Failure is not an option for me,” Ng said.
While Ng named the Miami bullpen as her “top priority this offseason”, she didn’t forget about adding onto Miami’s position players. Here is the official 2021 Miami Marlins Opening Day roster, along with what to know every player.
Starting Pitching Rotation
(Opening Day Starter) Sandy Alcantara
Earning the “ace” role for Miami once again, Sandy Alcantara is looking to continue building his legacy in 2021. Earning a 3.00 ERA with 39 strikeouts in the shortened 2020 season, “Sandy-Man” has emerged not only as a fan favorite, but as one of the league’s most underrated talents.
Elieser Hernandez
Heading into his fourth season with the Marlins, Elieser Hernandez is looking for redemption, after his 2020 was cut short due to injury. Last season, Hernandez had 34 strikeouts in only 25.2 IP.
Pablo Lopez
Also going into his fourth MLB season, Pablo Lopez is a player to be noted by, as his breakout season may be in 2021. Lopez’s beautiful ball placement will help him this year, while his pitch speed should be noted as well. Both of those traits are what an MLB pitcher in today’s era needs excel at.
Trevor Rogers
Looking to bounce back after a somewhat slow freshman campaign, Trevor Rogers looked fantastic all spring. The great trait Rogers possesses is ball placement, catching outside paint in the strike zone and fanning over multiple batters.
Bullpen
Anthony Bass
Having nine years in MLB already, Miami was able to reel in a veteran in free agency who is coming off of a solid 2020. Joining his seventh team in 10 years, Bass may also just nudged himself into the closer role for the Marlins.
Richard Bleier
After the Miami Marlins had one of the biggest COVID-19 outbreaks among all 32 MLB teams in 2020, Richard Bleier was one of many pitchers acquired to help suffice the starving bullpen. Now, Bleier remains the only acquisition during that time to remain on the roster. Miami got a quality player in Bleier. Posting a 2.63 ERA in 2020, Bleier is looking to make a bigger impact in 2021.
Paul Campbell
Both Rule 5 draft picks in Zach Pop and Paul Campbell made the Opening Day roster. With a fully loaded arsenal of pitch selection, Campbell’s diversity may come in clutch as a multi-inning reliever for Miami.
Adam Cimber
The submarine-style pitcher in Adam Cimber was one of Miami’s first bullpen acquisitions. Cimber doesn’t have the fastest pitch in the league, but his speed-control really comes in handy at times. Cimber has posted a career 3.89 ERA with 104 strikeouts.
John Curtiss
Former American League champion with the Tampa Bay Rays, John Curtiss is coming off his best season yet. Curtiss was a key player for Tampa Bay in 2020, earning a 1.80 ERA with 25 strikeouts. Curtiss is one of the best trade acquisitions Ng has made in her reign as manager.
Ross Detwiler
Going into his 13th MLB season, Miami is bringing in an experienced mind into a youth-filled roster. Detwiler had a fantastic 2020 with the Chicago White Sox, earning a 3.20 ERA with 15 strikeouts.
Dylan Floro
All the way from the L.A. Dodgers, Dylan Floro is one of the most decorated acquisitions Miami made this offseason. Along with the World Series ring, Dylan Floro also earned a 2.59 ERA with 19 strikeouts. Floro’s sinker and changeup are his biggest assets, using them heavily in the World Series against the Rays.
Yimi Garcia
Probably the best bullpen pitcher for Miami in 2020, Yimi Garcia is back with the Marlins for hopefully another year of dominance. Garcia’s pitch velocity is truly remarkable, throwing 19 strikeouts last season with the Marlins.
Zach Pop
The other Rule 5 draft pick, Zach Pop was also able to create a name for himself in Spring Training and earn an Opening Day spot with the Marlins. Pop doesn’t just have a normal fastball, with his arsenal featuring ridiculous movement with the easiest pitch in Baseball. Expect to see Pop come in a lot in 2021, that is, of course, if everything goes well for him.
Infield
Jesus Aguilar (1B)
Coming off of the best stretch of his career, Jesus Aguilar is expected to become the starting first baseman of the Marlins. A free agency signing before the 2020 season, Aguilar played a huge role for Miami, not only as a veteran, but as a power hitter. He earned a .277 batting average (career-high) last season, and will have a lot more power coming his way in 2021.
Brian Anderson (3B)
Emerging as another fan-favorite, Brian Anderson is awaiting some deserved national recognition. Probably the most underrated infielder in baseball, “BA” made a bigger name for himself in 2020 on both sides of the game. Anderson earned a career .266 Batting Average with 354 hits to his name.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B)
Making his first Opening Day appearance, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has finally earned his place as the starting second baseman for the Marlins. In a tight battle with Marlins prospect Isan Diaz, Jazz won the battle with an exemplary performance in Spring Training. Also possessing defensive skills and offensive power, Chisholm Jr. will be looking to make a big splash today.
Miguel Rojas (SS)
As Captain of the Miami Marlins, sensation Miguel Rojas is looking to lead his crew to victory once again. “Miggy Ro” has only gotten better over the years, with 2020 being his best. earning a .304 batting average with 20 RBI’s, many are certain that Rojas will emerge as a top shortstop in MLB soon enough that fans of baseball around the world will be forced to keep their eyes glued onto the Marlins.
Outfield
Lewis Brinson (RF)
For Lewis Brinson, 2020 was a massive bounce-back year. Earning a career-high batting average of .226, Brinson also left it all on the field defensively.
He’ll look to turn 2021 into a breakout year.
Corey Dickerson (LF)
Corey Dickerson had a very strong offensive showing in 2020, garnering 50 hits in 52 games, while being a valuable asset to Miami’s roster. Arguably the most consistent batter for the Marlins, expect Dickerson to keep up to this belief in 2021.
Adam Duvall (LF/RF)
In 2020, Adam Duvall destroyed the Marlins while playing with the rival Atlanta Braves. In 2021, Miami added Duvall’s power and defensive skill to their side of the aisle. Going into his eighth MLB season, he brings so much more power to South Beach.
Duvall has earned a career .233 batting average with 329 RBI’s.
Starling Marte (CF)
A trade deadline acquisition for Miami in 2020, Starling Marte is staying in the 305 for hopefully his first full season in a Marlins uniform. The former All-Star and Gold Glove Award recipient may not be coming from his best season, but he still brings power and defensive energy as the starting centerfielder.
Magneuris Sierra (CF)
The former starting center fielder for Miami shouldn’t expect to see a ton of starts but can expect to be used when needed at any given point. Sierra had a very decent 2020, earning a .250 batting average with 7 RBI’s. The question is if Sierra has built up more power the rest of his outfield brings to the table already.
Catchers
Jorge Alfaro
The story in 2021 for Jorge Alfaro is to “bounce back big time”. Not earning a lot of time behind the plate in 2020, Alfaro’s power wasn’t enough for Miami in their recent success. This year, he needs to prove himself worth being the starting backstop quick before he loses his role to backup Chad Wallach once again.
Chad Wallach
Seeing a lot more playing time than expected in 2020, Chad Wallach turned out decent for Miami. The postseason starting catcher for the Marlins has built up a lot more power and defensive skill over the years. Wallach remains a close backup catcher to fill in when needed if Alfaro doesn’t live up to his hype.
Utility
Jon Berti (2B/OF)
Known for his speed, Jon Berti sticks with this roster to be used in multiple situations. Berti can be used anywhere, whether that’s to be a pinch runner/hitter or a backup potential backup second baseman to the young learner Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Garrett Cooper (1B/RF)
Probably one of the best stories of 2020, Garrett Cooper has proven himself as a key player to this Marlins team. Battling all season for the starting first baseman role with Jesus Aguilar, Cooper is coming off of his best MLB season. Earning a .283 batting average with 20 RBI’s, his power will be useful wherever placed on the roster.
Although the Marlins are projected to underperform in 2021, many shouldn’t fully count out this group. A team captain Miguel Rojas says, “[the] Marlins not making the playoffs would be a disappointment after last season.”
‘Why not us?’ has been the theme for the Marlins the past two years. Now, fans are waiting patiently if they can shock the league once again.
