Why the Marlins Have Some Potential

Happy Independence Day. I know today is supposed to be Thursday’s team, but I don’t want to talk about the Marlins that much. That’s why this is a Thursday Team/Potential Player post.

The Miami Marlins are struggling big time, but not really any surprise. Last year they acquired pitcher Mark Buerhle, shortstop Jose Reyes, and even hired a new coach, former manager of the White Sox, Ozzie Guillen. They still had star player Hanley Ramirez and pitcher Anibal Sanchez as well. Well, all of them are gone. They traded everybody for future prospects, including a huge trade at the end of the year that was considered one of the worst trades baseball has ever seen. 

 

The Marlins screwed up last year. Their plan was like the Toronto Blue Jays this year or both L.A. teams; they tried to spend big money on high priced veteran players, and see if they can make a run to the playoffs. It’s a bold strategy to make, but once the Marlins saw that it did not work for their organization, they knew they had to get rid of everyone. So at the end of the season, they acquired prospects, and are now in a rebuilding program to try and bring back what they had in 2003. 

Why am I talking about this? Because despite their 31-52 record, and had the worst record for the majority of the season until recently, some of their “prospects” have done quite well. They have the worst offense in the league, so let’s not talk about that. Their pitching is average, but might get worse when they trade some people (and yes, they will trade Ricky Nolasco). But their starting pitching has done quite well otherwise, and found their future in pitcher Jose Fernandez. 

 

Jose Fernandez is a rookie, and is only 20 years old. In his first year, he’s 5-4 with a 2.72 ERA,  a .193 Batting Average Allowed (the same as Clayton Kershaw’s), and a 2.1 WAR. He’s mostly a fastball pitcher, but throws a curve and slider. He’s just like the Cardinals’ Shelby Miller this year. 

Here are their comparative stats:

Fernandez: 5-4, 2.72 ERA, 92.2 IP, 94 K’s, .193 AVG.

Miller: 9-6, 2.80 ERA, 99.2 IP, 107 K’s, .223 AVG.

Unless Yasiel Puig continues to hit like he does, these two are most likely the top contenders in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. Don’t be fooled by their records. Remember, Fernandez is on one of the worst teams in baseball, while Miller is on one of the best. Two days ago, Fernandez pitched an amazing game, which was overshadowed by Homer Bailey’s no hitter. He pitched 8 scoreless innings, striking out 10, and giving up 2 hits. 75 of his 100 pitches were fastballs, averaging at 95 mph. The last two pitchers to K 10 or more while allowing 2 hits or fewer and walking one batter or fewer in a game were Dwight Gooden and Kerry Wood. That game Kerry Wood had was his 20-K game in 1998, which was possibly the greatest game ever pitched.

 

They have to be careful with him, though. He pitched less than 150 innings in the minor leagues, and is only 20 years old. I’d hate to see him fall to a Tommy John surgery. Mike Redmond says that Fernandez deserves an all-star spot. I’d agree, plus every team gets one bid, and Fernandez is a good pick for it. 

If he doesn’t get hurt, I can see big things for this kid. Let’s just hope the Marlins don’t screw up and trade him.

-Evan Boyd