Meet the 30 Miami Marlins players who will suit up for Opening Day against the Phillies
The Miami Marlins open the 2020 MLB season on Friday with a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Here’s a closer look at the 30 players who comprise the Marlins’ Opening Day roster.
Some quick notes to top it: Utility man Sean Rodriguez and pitcher Aaron Northcraft are on the taxi squad in Philadelphia.
Pitcher Drew Steckenrider was placed on the 45-day Injured List with right triceps tendinitis.
Position players
Jorge Alfaro — C
Alfaro hit 18 home runs last year, but struck out in 33.1 percent of his plate appearances. The power is there. Better patience at the plate is needed.
Francisco Cervelli — C
Cervelli is a 12-year MLB veteran who will both serve as a mentor for Alfaro and should be able to produce on the field in a limited role.
Chad Wallach - C
Wallach makes his third consecutive Opening Day roster, where he will serve as the third-string catcher behind Alfaro and Cervelli
Jesus Aguilar — 1B
The Marlins acquired Aguilar off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason and hope his hitting numbers return to the level from his 2018 All-Star season (.274 average, 35 home runs, 108 RBI in 149 games).
Garrett Cooper — 1B/OF
Cooper showed last season his ability to hit for power (15 home runs, 58 RBI) and average (.281). He just needs to stay healthy and on the field. He could play first, right field and get time at designated hitter.
Isan Diaz — 2B
Diaz had a shaky MLB debut late last season (.173 average, five home runs, 23 RBI, 59 strikeouts in 179 at-bats) but the Marlins are confident he can improve. These 60 games could go a long way in determining his future with the club.
Miguel Rojas — SS
Rojas is the Marlins’ unquestioned leader in the clubhouse and one of the game’s top defensive shortstops. He also looks to have another solid year at the plate like he did in 2019 (.284 average, 46 RBI, 52 runs).
Brian Anderson — 3B
Anderson was having a solid second full year before a hit-by-pitch in late August fractured his left hand and ended his season. He’s steady defensively at both third and right field, but the Marlins view him as their third baseman of the future and No. 2 hitter in the lineup.
Corey Dickerson — OF
A career .286 hitter over seven seasons, Dickerson will hit third for the Marlins, start in left field and hopefully be a spark to the offense.
Harold Ramirez — OF
Ramirez was a pleasant surprise in 2019 after being singed to a minor-league deal. He’s a steady hitter (.276, 11 home runs, 50 RBI in 119 games) who will hold down right field to start 2020.
Magneuris Sierra — OF
Sierra is one of the Marlins’ fastest players who will be used as a pinch-runner, defensive replacement and spot starter in the outfield.
Jonathan Villar — OF/INF
Villar’s blend of speed and power make him a fitting leadoff hitter. The Marlins are experimenting with him in center field to start the season.
Jon Berti — Utility
A shortstop by trade, Berti can play anywhere defensively except for first base and catcher. Hit .273 with a team-best 17 stolen bases in 73 games last season.
Starting pitchers
Sandy Alcantara
Alcantara was the Marlins’ lone All-Star last year and led the team in innings pitched (197 1/3) while closing the season on a strong note (2.73 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings over his final 10 starts). He has five pitches he can throw for strikes.
Caleb Smith
Smith led the Marlins with 168 strikeouts in 2019 and is among MLB leaders in swing and miss rate. Injuries made him miss time each of the past two seasons.
Jose Urena
Urena, the Marlins’ Opening Day starter each of the past two years, missed time in the middle of 2019 with a herniated disc and finished the year throwing out of the bullpen.
Pablo Lopez
The Marlins have liked what they’ve seen out of Lopez since summer practices resumed. If the aggressiveness he has shown continued, they expect a breakout year from the 24-year-old.
Elieser Hernandez
A Rule 5 Draft pick two years ago, Hernandez won the final spot in the rotation over Jordan Yamamoto and will now get an extended look at what whether his role with the Marlins is in the rotation.
Bullpen
Brad Boxberger
Boxberger was a non-roster invitee to spring training who quickly impressed the coaching staff. His fastball velocity returned to about 92 mph after slipping to about 90 mph last year.
Jeff Brigham
Brigham impressed in September last season (1.69 ERA over 10 2/3 innings out of the bullpen). A right biceps injury limited him in spring training but the three-month layoff gave him time to be ready for the new Opening Day.
Adam Conley
The Marlins are hoping for a significant rebound year after Conley’s 2019 struggles (a career-worst 6.53 ERA with opponents hitting .308 against him).
Robert Dugger
Dugger made his MLB debut in August last season and went 0-4 with a 5.77 ERA in seven starts. He’ll be used in a long-relief role with the chance for the occasional spot start.
Yimi Garcia
The Marlins signed Garcia this offseason and will use him in late-inning situations after impressing both during spring training and summer practices.
Jordan Holloway
Holloway, the Marlins’ No. 20 overall prospect, is a starter by trade, but in a 60-game sprint, Miami plans to utilize his 100 mph fastball and low-80’s curveball out of the bullpen.
Brandon Kintzler
The 35-year-old is the veteran of the bullpen and will likely be the Marlins’ primary closer at least to start the season.
Nick Neidert
Neidert likely would have made his MLB debut last season if he didn’t suffer a right knee injury that required surgery. He impressed in the Arizona Fall League and will be used in a long-relief role with the chance for spot starts.
Sterling Sharp
The Marlins took Sharp, a 25-year-old sinkerball thrower, in the Rule 5 Draft in December. He can be used in both long-relief and in early innings.
Ryne Stanek
Stanek struggled down the stretch last season after being moved to a late-inning role with the Marlins compared to the opener spot he had with the Rays. He has the stuff, a fastball in the high-90’s paired with a slider and a splitter. Improved command is the next step.
Stephen Tarpley
The Marlins acquired Tarpley from the New York Yankees in an offseason trade for third baseman prospect James Nelson. The lefty can be used in both short- and long-relief roles.
Alex Vesia
Vesia, a lefty and the Marlins’ 17th round pick in 2018, jumped from Class A to Double A last year and had strong showings in both the Arizona Fall League and spring training.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 1:24 PM.
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