Postseason Takeaways

 

The 2022 Regular Season may have wrapped up Wednesday, but even for the Marlins who won't be Playing in this Postseason, there's a lot of work to do now and into the Winter. The Fish ended with a 14-13 Record over their last 27 Games, which not only helped them avoid a 100 Loss Season, but also avoided 95 Losses from which they would have suffered from for the 4th time in 5 years.

As the Marlins look to 2023, where do things stand on the Position Player side, which is by far the weakest layer of the Club? 

A name that had the most to do with that final month success was Bryan De La Cruz. To think the Fish Lost 6 Games even with their 14-13 Record, in which they were leading into the 7th Inning (with half of those Losses coming at the hands of the Cubs & Nationals 😬), at least shows the Marlin Bats awoke (especially from the horrendous Offensive stretch they had going for a month and a half). 

De La Cruz's numbers following his Call back to the Big Leagues on September 1st, which was then followed by sitting on the Bench for a week, were an astonishing .388/.419/.718 with a 1.137 OPS. With 10 2B's, 6 Homers, and 22 RBI's.

The way in which the Marlins handled De La Cruz following a very strong final 2 month showing in 2021 certainty was not ideal for anyone in the Spring. De La Cruz was Optioned in the middle of a solid Spring Training on March 26th, only to have the Club change they're mind prior to Opening Day, Calling him back Up before April 8th. That was followed by Starting all of twice of the Team's first 17 Games, and so went the summer for De La Cruz, which included another Demotion on August 12th. 

Today we continue to hear a lot of outside talk about the Marlins and their need for a Centerfielder dating back to last year since the Trade of Starling Marte. Could it be they've had they're Centerfielder all along in Bryan De La Cruz? I think he's earned a shot. Only this time a real chance, unlike this past Spring.

Jordan Groshans & J.J Bleday will more than likely be given their opportunities to stick as Major League Regulars come the Spring, after each tasted the Big Leagues for the first time in 2022. Bleday really struggled after a solid first 17 Games, to the tune of a .130/.259/.247 clip over his last 48 Contests. He didn't help his cause Defensively in Centerfield either. The Marlins feel his approach at the Plate will Play over time however, as the 24 Year Old Outfielder looks to adjust to the Bigs in year number 2. 

Groshans only got into 17 Games over the final few weeks. He hit to a decent .262 Average despite tallying only 1 Extra Base Hit. He did play extremely good Defense over at Third which begs the question, do the Marlins keep him at the Hot Corner or move him back to his natural Shortstop in 2023?? 

Miguel Rojas' name was mentioned in a potential Trade with the Yankees at the Trading Deadline in August.

We mentioned a lot of outside talk towards the Fish needing an Outfielder, when an Infielder may/should be high on the Marlins wish list heading into 2023. 

Miguel Rojas may very well pick up a Gold Glove a Short next month. Deservingly so, as the Marlins unofficial Capitan was superb Defensively this year. But for a Club desperately needing Offense, is Rojas best suited for an Everyday Role in 2023? Could the Fish target a 2nd Baseman in the Off-Season, sliding Jazz Chisholm over to Short??? All interesting ideas.

1st Base may be a little more clear for the Marlins in 2023. Lewin Díaz, long considered the First Baseman of the future for the Fish, has pretty much swung himself out of consideration of being the everyday answer at 1st over cups of coffee in the Show. 

Following 3 Year Marlin Jesus Aguilar's Designation, the Lefty Swinging Lewin received the reigns over at 1st against all Righth Handed Starters til Season's end. From August 26th (the day of the Agui DFA) to the finish line, Díaz had a Batting Line of .169/.195/.325.

1 thing that's certainly not in question is Lewin Diaz's Glove, which is Platinum Glove caliber. Coupled with occasional pop from the Left Side of the Plate, and the Marlins have at least a weapon off the Bench in 2023.

All-Star Garett Cooper should be the Marlins everyday 1st Baseman in 2023, (the obligatory) for as long as he's healthy. Coop finally snapped a 9-105 (which included 42 K's) nightmare at the Dish in September. Finally looking like the All-Star he was in the 1st Half. 

If Cooper can avoid another Surgery in his final Year of Arbitration, it'll allow Jorge Soler to be the every day DH next year. Which opens up LF for someone like Bleday or Jesus Sanchez, as Avisail Garcia looks for a rebound Season of his own in RF. 

Playoff Predictions 

The Postseason in Major League Baseball got underway yesterday with a 1 Run Game, a 9th Inning Comeback, a Shutout, and a Beatdown in Queens. 

Here's a little Payoff prediction we came up with before the action got underway.

 ..Whose your pick to advance through October 🎃 and ultimately Win it all?????