Miami Marlins 2016: End of the Season Grades, Analysis

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The Miami Marlins bid adieu to 2016. How’d they do? Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The Miami Marlins 2016 campaign came to an end of few weeks ago and there were many ups and downs for the ball club. Some guys had breakout seasons, while other guys struggled to be consistent. From having four Marlins represent the team at this season’s All Star game, to players missing games due to injuries, to the tragic death of superstar ace Jose Fernandez, the team dealt with a lot over the past six months.

So how did the manager and players do this season?

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Don Mattingly: B

Donnie Baseball had a solid first season as the Marlins’ manager. The Marlins finished in 3rd place in the National League East with a record of 79 wins and 82 losses which is a nice improvement from last season’s 71 wins and 91 losses. For most of the season the Marlins were one of the few teams to be in the wild card hunt for one of the last two playoff spots in the National League. There were ups and downs that Mattingly dealt with this season. But for the most part Mattingly did a solid job and finally gave the Marlins’ stability at the manager’s position which is something that the Marlins’ organization hasn’t had in a long time.

J.T. Realmuto: A

Realmuto had a great overall season both on the offensive end and on the defensive end. In his second full season as the Marlins’ starting catcher, Realmuto hit a career high .303 and added 11 homeruns and 48 runs batted in. He also added 12 stolen bases to his statline, which is rare for a catcher to do. Realmuto’s leadership behind the plate and maturity continue to grow as he guides the pitching staff. He threw out 35% of the base runners that attempted to steal bases against him. The Marlins organization should be extremely pleased and excited for the player they have behind the plate.

Justin Bour: B-

Bour started off the season really strong but was limited to just 90 games because of an ankle injury. Bour hit 15 homeruns and 51 rbi with most of that production coming before he was sidelined with the injury. His injury had a major impact on the ball club as production from the first base position declined drastically. If the club wants to push for a playoff spot in 2017, Justin Bour will need to be a key contributor for the Fish.

Dee Gordon: D-

One of the biggest disappointments this season was Dee Gordon. Gordon was suspended 80 games this season for performance enhancing drugs use. He let his teammates and the organization down, especially after being rewarded a nice contract extension for the great season that he had in 2015. Gordon was limited to just 79 games and when he played he was average at best. He batted .268 with 1 homerun and 14 rbi. He did steal 30 bases in limited games.

Adeiny Hechavarria: C-

Hechavarria’s defense is always spectacular and this season he once again wow’d everyone with more amazing plays. He’s definitely one of the better defensive shortstops in the league but his offense was nonexistent this season. He regressed with his offensive game as he hit just .236 with 3 homeruns and 38 rbi while playing in 155 games. He’s shown potential to give the team some offense in the past as he hit .281 in 2015, and the Marlins would like to see more consistency from him as a hitter in the future.

Martin Prado – A-

There were only a few Marlins that were consistent from the beginning of the year all the way to the finish and Prado was one of those guys. The team captain batted .305 with 8 homeruns and 75 rbi. For his consistency, at the end of the season the Marlins offered Prado a 3 year, $40 million contract extension, which Prado agreed to. His defense at third base is always solid, but his leadership is one of his best qualities. He is known to be respected around the league, and he is definitely respected in the Marlins’ clubhouse.

Three outta four had a solid year. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Christian Yelich – A+

The best player for the Marlins this season was Christian Yelich. Yelich, which was recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Player this season, set a career high in multiple offensive categories. Yelich batted .298 with a career high 21 homers and 98 rbi. It’s very possible that Yelich will be the team’s starting center fielder in 2017 with Ozuna moving over to left field. Yelich is developing into a superstar before the eyes of baseball fans across the major leagues.

Marcell Ozuna – B-

The team’s best performer during the first half of the season was Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna was an All Star for the first time in his career this season, and was chosen to start that game because of an injury to another player. He struggled in the offensive end throughout the second half of the season, but still batted .266 with 23 homeruns and 76 rbi. There aren’t many centerfielders throughout the league with those type of power numbers which is something for the Marlins’ organization to be excited about for the future.

Giancarlo Stanton – C

Giancarlo Stanton struggled with his consistency on the offensive end this year. He was also not able to play a full season again because of a groin injury. In 119 games played this season Stanton hit just .240 but did lead the team with 27 homeruns. He also had 74 rbi. A lot of people will see those power numbers and say that his season wasn’t bad at all, but yes there is a lot more that is expected of Stanton. Stanton is capable of leading the league in homeruns and rbi each season. He is capable of being the league MVP as well. If the Marlins want to secure a playoff spot in 2017, Giancarlo Stanton needs to stay healthy and have a monster year which he is very capable of. Stanton is the best player on the team and one of the best players in all of baseball and he needs to play like it.

Ichiro Suzuki: A

What Ichiro did at age 42 is nothing short of amazing. The way he performed this season, whether it was in a pinch hitting role or spot starting in the outfield, he did a great job. His defense is still above average, and he still has good speed. Ichiro finished the season hitting .291 with 1 homerun and 22 rbi. Oh yeah, and he also achieved history by getting his 3000th hit. Ichiro will be back next season with the Fish, and because of that Marlins fans will have the opportunity to continue to watch greatness.

Marlins fans will never forget. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Jose Fernandez: A+

The saddest story in baseball this season was the passing of superstar ace Jose Fernandez. Fernandez, who was loved by many was a superstar on and off the field. The humble Cuban pitcher had one of his best seasons in his young career this season. Fernandez won a career high 16 games while only losing 8 games. He was among the league leaders in striking out opposing hitters with 253 in 182.1 innings pitched this season with an earned run average of 2.86. His big smile lit up the ballpark. According to his teammates and everyone in the Marlins’ organization, Fernandez was a great teammate. He would talk to everyone in the dugout. He would cheer on all of his teammates even in the games that he wasn’t pitching. He loved the game of baseball and it showed every time that he would take the mound. Jose was a special one of a kind talent. He will forever be missed.

Tom Koehler: C

Koehler is a solid number 5 starter in the major leagues. He’s an innings eater and is considered a bulldog on the mound by many. When Koehler starts, you can usually pencil him in for 5 to 6 innings and he helps the bullpen out by not having them throw many innings in his starts. He is inconsistent at times which is the cause of his career ERA being 4.16. This season Koehler had 9 wins and 13 losses with an era of 4.33. He needs to learn how to limit the damage when the opposing offense is getting to him. Koehler at times, tends to have a streak of starts where he pitches 4 to 5 solid innings and then one bad inning. That is what Koehler needs to try to correct. Other than that, Koehler is a solid number 5 starter in the league.

Andrew Cashner: F

Talk about a disappointment, and that is Andrew Cashner. Cashner was acquired by the Fish at the trade deadline to come in and give the team another good starter and he failed to do that. Cashner was awful with the Marlins and was basically a below average pitcher all season long. Cashner had 5 wins and 11 losses with a brutal era of 5.25. At the end of the season, Cashner who is a free agent this off-season, mentioned that being able to have a beard might have input on whether he resigns with the Marlins again or not. I don’t think Cashner needs to worry about shaving his beard, because I don’t think the Marlins’ organization wants to offer him a contract extension anyhow. He should worry more about becoming a better pitcher and less about having a beard.

Adam Conley: B-

Conley was solid this year as a starter. But an injury to his finger cost him a chance to achieve more success throughout the season. Before injuring his finger, Conley was the Marlins’ second best starting pitcher. He finished the season with 8 wins and 6 losses with an era of 3.85. In 133.1 innings pitched, Conley struck out 124 opposing batters. It would have been good to see how Conley would’ve performed if he would’ve not gotten injured. But Conley is a solid left handed pitcher who hasn’t reached his full potential yet and that is something for the Marlins’ organization and their fans to be excited about.

David Phelps was a regular Swiss Army Knife for the Marlins in 2016. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

David Phelps: A-

David Phelps was outstanding this year. In whatever role that Phelps was put in, he did his job and did his job well. For most of the season Phelps was the Marlins’ set up man. At the end of the season he was put into the starting rotation and was great at that too. He even had 4 saves for the Fish. Phelps had 7 wins and 6 losses this season with a superb era of 2.28. In 86.2 innings pitched Phelps struck out 114 opposing batters. It would be great to see Phelps in a starting pitchers role next season for the Fish, because he has the potential and the stuff to be a top of the rotation type of pitcher.

Kyle Barraclough: A-

Another guy who was a gem for the Marlins out of the bullpen was Kyle Barraclough. He had a great rookie campaign this season and is a guy who just might be the Marlins closer in the future. He had a very good era of 2.85 in 72.2 innings pitched. He had 6 wins and 3 losses and struck out 113 opposing batters which was among the major league leaders for relievers. Kyle Barraclough was great in the Marlins’ bullpen this season and it will be fun to see how he improves for the 2017 season.

A.J. Ramos: B+

Every time that Ramos pitches it seems like drama is involved. It seems like he always has base runners on, but he seems to usually find his way out of those jams. Ramos had a very good season and made the All Star team for the first time in his career. He was 40 for 43 in save opportunities which is great. In 64 innings pitched this season Ramos struck out 73 opposing batters. He finished the season with a 2.81 era. If Ramos can limit his walks and a few base runners he would be an even better reliever. Only time will tell if he will be the Marlins’ closer next season. But either way, the Marlins’ have a very good relief pitcher in Ramos, and he had a very solid 2016 campaign.

Next: Fish Flash 10/22

And that wraps up staffer Eric Quinones ‘review of notable standouts and flameouts on the 2016 Marlins. Check back next week for another roster review, and daily for more Marlins content.

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