What Will the Marlins Opening Day Lineup Look Like?

(3) Brian Anderson RF

Miami’s most valuable player by WAR last season, with 3.8, Brian Anderson turned that particular trick despite missing the last month+ of the season when he fractured his left fifth metacarpal.

When healthy, Anderson is the best third baseman the Marlins have, but he may also be their best right fielder. In 126 games last season he hit .261/.342/.468 with 20 homers and 66 RBI. From right field, he pitched in with nine assists in only 55 games, which projects to 20+ in a full campaign.

Baseball reference is bearish on Anderson’s 2020 home run output – they’re predicting 15 for a full season’s work. Despite that, Anderson has gotten better in each season so far, and I don’t think he’s done improving. Look for Anderson to anchor the Marlins order with 25-to-30 homers and a pile of doubles.

(4) Corey Dickerson LF

The Marlins lucked out when they inked Corey Dickerson to a two-year, $17.5 million deal earlier this week. The athletic lefty hitter slashed .304/.341/.565 in 78 appearances last season between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates, through a variety of injurious ailments.

Again, baseball reference is selling low on Dickerson’s output next season, projecting less than 400 plate appearances. A 2017 American League All Star with the Tampa Bay Rays and a 2018 National League Gold Glove Awardee with the Bucs, look for Dickerson to continue solid play in left field.

Although Dickerson has never hit more than 27 homers in any season (his 2017 with the Rays), he remains a solid 30-home run threat – one of four on the team now, by my count.