Miami Marlins 2025: First Baseman Elvin Ozoria

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 153 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

Elvin Ozoria is a 6′, 180 lb. first baseman from San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic. Born on July 16th, 2001, he is the second youngest player to appear in the Miami Marlins system in 2018.

98 players from San Pedro de Macoris have made it to the major leagues, including 14 who appeared in the 2018 season. Johnny Cueto and Robinson Cano are the highest-profile guys currently serving in the majors.

Ozoria signed with the Miami Marlins on the day after his 16th birthday, then bided his time until he could make his debut nearly a year later. He joined the rookie-level DSL Marlins in the Dominican Summer League on June 1st, 2018.

Players who start their careers in the DSL generally are six-to-eight years from competing at a major league level, if they get that far. Players currently with the Miami Marlins who started in the DSL include Jose Urena and Jarlin Garcia. Ozoria had a somewhat successful first step on that journey at an age where most of us are still in high school.

Through his first three games, Ozoria did not collect a hit, going 0-for-8 with two walks and two strikeouts. On June 8th, he hit two doubles and scored a run in an 8-7, 11-inning loss to the DSL Royals. On June 21st, in another 8-7 loss (to the DSL Dodgers Robinson squad), he collected a season-high three RBI with one swing for his only home run of the season.

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That was one of only three multi-hit games for Ozoria through the season, which unfortunately would see him miss six weeks from mid-July through late-August. He slashed .227/.376/.307, not hitting for average or power, but showing a lot of patience by drawing 17 walks in only 93 plate appearances. That’s an 18.3 percent walkrate, for those of you who track such things.

Defensively, Ozoria played in two games at third base making three errors, seven games at second with an .821 fielding percentage, and 10 times at first. In 93 chances at the “not-hot” corner, he registered a perfect fielding percentage. Clearly, first base is a strength for him.

Ozoria is still not-yet 18-years-old, and so will almost certainly spend another season with the DSL Marlins. A major league debut, if in the cards for him, would probably be around 2025.

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