Norby, Stowers bring a refreshing attitude to the Marlins - in addition to talent

Time will tell how the Marlins’ myriad moves before the trade deadline pan out, but it’s obvious they won the deal with the Orioles.

The starting pitcher the Marlins sent them, Trevor Rogers, is now in the minors. The two prospects they yielded, Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, are regulars in the Marlins’ lineup — and two of their hottest hitters.

Norby entered Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Nationals, which started a six-game homestand, slashing .313/.377/.625 since his call-up from Triple A Jacksonville on Aug. 19.

His 14 runs scored were the most in Marlins history by a player through his first 12 games with the franchise. And his nine extra-base hits were second most, according to Stathead. His 10-game hitting streak, snapped Friday, was the third longest to start a stint with the Marlins.

In his previous seven games before Tuesday, Stowers was batting .393 (11 for 28) with nine RBI and two home runs, including a three-run, 439-foot shot Sunday in San Francisco.

Stowers has mostly played left field. Norby has manned third base, making a smoother-than-expected move to that position.

They’re part of a youth movement in the Marlins’ clubhouse — precipitated by the flurry of deadline trades — that has injected vigor into an otherwise mundane ending to a disappointing season.

“As a young guy, especially at this part of the season… it’s our job to bring energy and kind of rejuvenate the club,” Norby said. “I think we’ve done that. It doesn’t always translate to wins, but you want to at least be sparks here in the lineup, show you belong, and get the experience you need going forward for next year and years to come.”

Norby said he and Stowers began forging a friendship two years ago and “going through this experience [being traded] together makes us even closer.” The opportunity both now have didn’t materialize with the Orioles, in large part due to a deep farm system.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Norby has an “edge to him” that he sensed when they spoke by phone after the trade, and he saw sitting across a desk from Norby upon the player’s arrival.

“It was like, all right, he’s ready to go to war tonight. And I was excited to go to war with him,” Schumaker said. “I feel like he’s going to give you everything he has every single day, and I’ll bet on those kinds of guys every day.”

Norby also “believes he’s not only a big-leaguer, but a really good big-leaguer,” Schumaker added. “And it’s not in a cocky way. He just believes in himself and that all the work he puts in is going to translate on the field.”

Said Norby: “I definitely have a chip on my shoulder.”

Admittedly, Norby also “tries to be perfect in a sport where perfection doesn’t exist.

“And it drives me nuts every day,” he conceded. “But I think it’s also what’s gotten me here. And I think it’s what will keep me going.”

Stowers is similarly demanding of himself.

So, you can imagine his dismay with two hits in 32 at-bats (.063) and 16 strikeouts in his first 10 games playing for the Marlins.

“It’s hard, that’s for sure,” Stowers said. “I just tried to stay optimistic that each at-bat was the at-bat I was going to break out of it. Historically, I have these types of slow starts in new places. …Just getting the chance to work through it, I’m really appreciative that Skip kept rolling me out there.”

The manager’s patience comes from his own playing days.

“It’s not easy getting traded — I’ve been traded before,” Schumaker said. “You want to make an impression right away, and sometimes you put too much added pressure on yourself. You could just tell by the way he was going about it [that] he was trying to get two hits every at-bat. He settled down after getting a couple hits.”

Stowers swatted a solo home run with his parents in the stands in Colorado on Aug. 27. Two nights later, he was 3 for 6 with four RBI against the Rockies. Then Sunday, he crushed Giants ace Logan Webb’s pitch.

“That was really special. Having my family there definitely added energy and excitement,” Stowers said. “I wanted to do well for them. My sister-in-law was videoing it, and at the end, you can hear my brother screaming.”

Stowers was 0 for 3 with a walk Tuesday against the Nationals. Norby was 2 for 4, including an RBI double in the fifth that scored Nick Fortes.

The Marlins’ other run came on Cristian Pache’s RBI double the next inning. The Nationals scored five runs — three on Joey Gallo’s 415-foot homer to center in the fourth — against Marlins’ starter Max Meyer, who allowed nine hits, struck out five, and walked one in pitched 5.2 innings.

“I thought his stuff was better than his line suggests,” Schumaker said. “I’m just wondering why he went away from the changeup.”

The Marlins, who went 1-5 in their last homestand, are 3-11 in home games since Aug. 5. They are 0-8 against the Nationals this season.

Sanchez hurt

Jesús Sanchez exited Tuesday’s game in the second inning with a mild back spasm after a headfirst slide stealing second base.

“When I dove and landed, I felt discomfort that hit me in the stomach, and then it just went to my back,” Sanchez said via team interpreter Luis Dorante. “It’s a spasm. It’s not something too big.”

About playing Wednesday, Sanchez said, “Let’s see how I wake up, follow the procedures…and then we’ll figure out what decision they’re going to make.”

Edwards returns

Shortstop Xavier Edwards was activated from the 10-day injured list and returned to the lineup, batting leadoff. Edwards missed nine games because of back soreness.

“I’ll communicate with him every single day to figure out how he’s feeling,” Schumaker said. “My plan is, there’s only 20-something games left, we’re running him [out there] and giving him a shot to make sure the front office is convinced he is the shortstop going into next year. He’s done a lot to prove he is the guy.”

Roster moves

The Marlins claimed two pitchers off waivers — right-hander Lake Bachar from San Diego and lefty Anthony Veneziano from Kansas City.

LHP Kent Emanuel, RHP Emannuel Ramírez and C Alí Sánchez were designated for assignment. RHP Anthony Maldonado was recalled from Jacksonville. LHP Josh Simpson, back from a rehab assignment, was activated from the 60-day injured list and optioned to Jacksonville.

Injury update

LHP Ryan Weathers (finger) was scheduled to throw three innings or 50 pitches Tuesday for Single-A Jupiter. RHP Anthony Bender (shoulder) was scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Jacksonville, as well as Wednesday.

LHP Braxton Garrett (shoulder) threw a bullpen Tuesday and will pitch for Jupiter (three innings, 50 pitches) on Thursday. RHP Sandy Alcantara (elbow) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday. RHP Sixto Sánchez (shoulder) continues his bullpen progression. LHP Jesús Luzardo (back), RHP Eury Pérez (elbow) and OF Dane Myers (ankle) are progressing.