3 Marlins New Year’s Resolutions for 2020

As the new year begins today and the Miami Marlins look to improve from 2019, here are a few resolutions for this organization.

When the Miami Marlins began the 2019 season with a 10-31 record, it was hard to believe that manager Don Mattingly would survive the season. Now, armed with a two-year contract extension, Mattingly once again maybe on the hot seat as he must guide his roster to win more than 57 games the team did last season.

There is plenty of optimism in South Florida, but it’s only January and Spring Training is still six weeks away.

What the Marlins front office has done is given is their skipper more offense to work with and changes to the bullpen which should help the starting rotation.

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Things are definitely improved in South Florida where are there is optimism for a better season and the belief this team will climb out of the National League East basement. We shouldn’t expect miracles this coming year, but it is conceivable 75 wins could be a real possibility. Of course, the team cannot be destroyed by injuries. Mattingly must also make all the right moves with the 26-man roster.

Players who have signed this off-season must come through. Rookies who played last year must excel in their second seasons. And of course, the pitching staff must do what is expected of it.

With this being the first day of the new year, here’s a look at through things I expect to happen to the Miami Marlins in 2020.

Monte Harrison wins NL Rookie of the Year Award

I can’t wait to see what Monte Harrison can do on the next level.

If he can showcase his power at the plate, combined with a defensive presence in the outfield and speed on the base pads, it’s quite possible the Marlins prospect could become a true five-tool player in the Majors.

First, Harrison needs to make the roster out of camp. And second, he needs to beat out several veterans and other prospects who are looking to call Miami their home in 2020. Next, he must continue to grow as a hitter, where he struck out over 200 times in Jacksonville two seasons ago. Working on his plate awareness last season in New Orleans helped him to become a more effective heater. And he has also spent time in the Arizona Fall League, where he received plenty of instruction on how to hit the ball better.

Should Harrison make the roster, the question then becomes which veterans drop in the pecking order? Lewis Brinson is one of them who may be on the outside looking in. Austin Dean may have a hard time making this roster. And then there’s Magneuris Sierra, who has all the speed in the world and would make a solid leadoff hitter, but he has no power to speak of.

With all of the movement the Marlins have made in this off-season, it’s easy to forget what a great talent Harrison is. That plays in his favor. If he is one of those under the radar players who impress this spring, there’s no telling what he can accomplish in his first year on the MLB level.

Matt Kemp Finds a Home at First Base

The 2019 season was not kind to Matt Kemp as he struggled in Cincinnati where he played only 20 games and hit just one home run for the season. Coming to Miami offers the 35-year-old veteran a chance to play every day and return to the form that saw him hit 21 home runs in a Dodgers uniform just two years ago.

Kemp signed a minor-league deal and was offered a chance to come to Spring Training as a non-roster invite. It plays out well for him in that if he shows consistency, there’s no reason to think he won’t make the 26-man roster.

It’s one of the better “low-risk, high-reward” deals within the organization. Given that he can play both corner outfield spots and first base, he provides versatility the front office looks for with its players. He also could fill a role that was vacated when Martin Prado retired with leadership on the bench and in the clubhouse.

If he is able to make the roster, stays healthy, and gets into the lineup more than 300 at-bats this season, there’s no reason to think he can’t hit 15 to 20 home runs this year and drive in 60 RBI.

Don’t expect camp to be in the starting lineup on Opening Day, but do expect him to replace an injured player and stick around for a while.