The Miami Marlins enter the 2025 season with one of the youngest and least experienced rosters in Major League Baseball. In a stacked National League East featuring powerhouses like the Braves and Phillies, the Marlins are prioritizing long-term success over immediate contention. Their approach? Leaning into innovation and aggressive player development, a philosophy already evident in their 2025 Spring Training practices.
While the season may bring growing pains, the Marlins’ ultimate goal is to identify core players who can lead their next competitive window. If they can uncover future building blocks while remaining competitive, 2025 could be a success despite what the win-loss record may say.
This season is all about development. Ideally, Miami finishes 2025 with a clearer picture of its offensive future. The team would love to see several young players emerge as foundational pieces, starting with shortstop Xavier Edwards and third baseman Connor Norby, both of whom will be in the Opening Day lineup.
By midseason, the Marlins could call upon promising prospects like catcher Agustin Ramírez and power-hitting corner infielder Deyvison De Los Santos. Ramírez, progressing at a premium defensive position, has shown potential but still needs refinement behind the plate. Meanwhile, De Los Santos, the 2024 Minor League home run leader, has light-tower power but must improve his plate discipline to thrive at the highest level.
Offensively, Xavier Edwards proved he can be an elite leadoff hitter, slashing .328/.397/.423 in 70 games last season. However, his defense at shortstop was a major concern. Advanced metrics ranked him among the worst defenders at the position. Edwards has spent the offseason on an intense throwing program to strengthen his arm, hoping to quiet doubts about his long-term viability as a shortstop. If he can improve defensively while maintaining his offensive production, he could be a true cornerstone for Miami.
The Marlins have made Connor Norby a key figure in their marketing efforts, and now it’s time for the 24-year-old to live up to the hype. Acquired in the Trevor Rogers trade, Norby flashed his offensive upside late in 2024, hitting seven home runs with a .760 OPS in just 36 games. Already known for his opposite-field power, the next step is generating more pull-side damage to reach his 30-homer potential. Defensively, he must prove he can stick at third base.
This one is an easy call. The Marlins sorely missed Sandy Alcantara last season after the 2022 NL Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery. Miami used 20 different starting pitchers in 2024 en route to a 100-loss season. Now fully recovered, Alcantara returns as the team’s undisputed ace. Known as one of the Majors’ best workhorses, he’ll be counted on to eat innings and provide stability to a young rotation that, outside of veteran Cal Quantrill, lacks proven durability.
Edwards stole 31 bases in just 70 games last season, putting him on pace to challenge for the league lead over a full year. For comparison, Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz led the NL in 2024 with 67 steals in 160 games. Edwards’ success rate (89%) was better than De La Cruz’s (81%), and his .397 OBP significantly outpaced the Reds star (.339). If Edwards maintains his elite on-base ability, he could become the ninth Marlin to lead the NL in stolen bases, following Jon Berti’s 2022 feat.
Opening Day Matchup: Pirates at Marlins
• Date & Time: March 28, 2025 – 4:10 p.m. ET
• Starting Pitchers: Paul Skenes (PIT) vs. Sandy Alcantara (MIA)
Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, gets the Opening Day nod for Pittsburgh after a dominant 2024 debut. Alcantara, returning from injury, will make his fifth Opening Day start for Miami.
The Pirates will be the 10th different team for veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, who played for the White Sox, Cardinals, and Royals in 2024.
Skenes will be just the second reigning Rookie of the Year to start an Opening Day opposite a former Cy Young winner. The only other instance? Cal Morton (1970 NL ROY) vs. Tom Seaver in 1971.
The 2025 season isn’t about wins and losses—it’s about progress. If the Marlins can exit the year with clarity on their young core and see growth from players like Edwards, Norby, Ramírez, and De Los Santos, the future in Miami will look much brighter. While the road may be bumpy, the Marlins are banking on development and innovation to build something sustainable.
