Following a successful 2023 season in which the team made the playoffs, there was hope in Miami for the future. However, after a disappointing 9-24 start to the 2024 season, the team made a blockbuster decision. This was to trade batting champion Luis Arraez to the Padres for three prospects and a reliever. This signified the team entering a full rebuild, turning away from the postseason aspirations they had coming into the season. This was capped off on July 30th when the team traded closer Tanner Scott to the Padres for a package including Robby Snelling. The Marlins finished the season 62-100, last in the NL East and third worst overall. Additionally, in the 2024 season, the Marlins traded away Jazz Chisholm Jr. for a package highlighted by Agustin Ramirez.
Is Robby Snelling the Beginning of a New Era in Miami?
2025 at the Major League level
With a 65-73 record thus far, the Marlins have shown signs of life going forward. Highlighted by Kyle Stowers and Xavier Edwards, the Marlins’ offense has been middle-of-the-pack after being in the bottom 4 last season. Additionally, prospect Agustin Ramirez is slashing .231/.288/.426 in his first season as the Marlins’ backstop. Jacob Marsee, whom the Marlins got for Luis Arraez, is hitting .339 with a 1.022 OPS in his first 31 games in the outfield.
Pitching, on the other hand, has been a struggle to start the year but has gotten better as of late. Staff ace Sandy Alcantara started the year slowly but has a 3.16 ERA in the second half thus far. Edward Cabrera, who in 24 starts has posted a 3.57 ERA with 140 strikeouts in 128.2 innings. Looking into the bullpen, despite Trading AJ Puk and Tanner Scott, closers Tyler Phillips and Calvin Fauchner have sufficed. The two of them have combined to put up a 3.20 ERA with 16 saves between them. Set-up man Ronny Henriquez and his 2.47 ERA have provided 62 lockdown innings for the team.
Minor League Success for another pitcher
As he was a highlight piece of the Tanner Scott trade, southpaw Robby Snelling has shown his upside. The Padres initially drafted Snelling with their 2022 competitive balance pick out of high school. He would post a 1.82 ERA in his first professional season with 118 strikeouts in 103.2 innings. His 2024 would not start as well as in his first 16 starts, as he pitched to a 6.01 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Snelling was then traded to the Marlins for Tanner Scott and started to rebound. In his remaining 7 starts at Double-A, he posted a 4.00 ERA. This could be attributed to a dip in his velocity across the board, leading to harder contact and fewer strikeouts.
To start 2025, however, he would rebound, seeing his velocity tick up, leading back to success. In 14 starts at Double-A, he posted a 3.61 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 72.1 innings. This then got Snelling promoted to Triple-A, where he continued his success. Across 8 starts with Jacksonville, Robby Snelling pitched to a 1.38 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. In addition to this, he struck out 54 batters while walking 13 over 45.2 innings.
Big league future ahead
While it seems unlikely Snelling sees Big League action in 2025, his presence could be the start for the 2026 Marlins. With a healthy rotation, the Marlins could feature one of the top rotations in baseball. Led by Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, and Edward Cabrera, with Robby Snelling, Ryan Weathers, and Max Meyer. In combination with this, the Marlins’ offense, led by Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez, could prove to be toward the top end in baseball. While unlikely, they challenge for the division; it remains very possible the Marlins go for the wildcard in 2026 and look toward the division in 2027.
Main Photo Credits: Gregg Pachkowski/Pensacola News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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