Listen Up Marlins Fans, Time To Talk Christian Yelich

In a year that seems to be dwindling away into disappointment and another year of not making the playoffs, it is a down time to be a Marlins fan.

The trades the front office pursued did not pay off, injuries swarmed the organization, and Jeffrey Loria is still the owner. In the dark cloud that is the end to this season, there is one major shining light.

Christian Yelich.

The media doesn’t love him. He isn’t flashy. You’d have to talk to someone knowledgeable about baseball to even know him.

But man, is he a great baseball player.

The step Yelich took this year was huge in his progress. The 7 year, $49 million deal the Marlins inked him to looks like a steal, and it is.

Yelich has always had his impressive “eye” at the plate. His patience while batting is top notch, and he rarely swings at balls. This allows for him to make solid contact when he does, leading to an impressive .359 BABIP this season.

His Gold Glove caliber defense continued this season, even after being forced to switch to CF late in the year. His versatility in the outfield allows the Marlins flexibility for the future. It truly shows how gifted of an all-around athlete Yelich is.

What has blossomed this season though, and made Yelich an even more dynamic player, are his power numbers.

His .373 OBP% is an amazing rate regardless, but being able to both homer 20 times and drive in 95 runs is ridiculous.

What I appreciate about Yelich the most is his ability to stay on the field. Giancarlo Stanton is a phenom and possesses skills that Yelich could never dream of, but if he can’t stay healthy, none of that matters.

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Enjoy the 14 strikeout nights from Jose Fernandez and the 500 foot bombs from Stanton.

But don’t forget what Yelich means to this team. He is a huge part of what Miami is trying to build: a World Series champion.

If it does happen, I fully expect Yelich to be right in the thick of things.