David Schoenfield Ranks Marlins 20th in ESPN Rankings

"Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton fields questions from reporters after his press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports Most intriguing player: Stanton. The contract. The power. The comeback from his late-season beaning."

Nothing surprising here, either. Just like in 2014, the Marlins will go as far as their superstar and MVP carries them. In 2014 Stanton had a monster season, smashing a career high of 37 home runs and posting an impressive .288/.395/.555 slash line.

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This was good for a 6.1 fWAR in 145 games and 638 plate appearances. Unfortunately, Stanton’s season ended prematurely, when he was beaned in the face with a baseball. It remains a major question mark on how Stanton will recover from the beaning, when he steps into the batters box for the first time.

In the offseason, the Miami Marlins made Giancarlo Stanton the richest man in American sports, giving him a 12-year $325 million contract. This means he’s also going to have higher expectations moving forward.

Stanton was in the national spotlight for one of the first times in last year’s Home Run Derby, and he didn’t disappoint. You better bet the world is going to be paying even more attention now with his contract. Let’s hope he delivers for the Marlins.

Next: Due for a Better Year?