Florida / Miami Marlins A through Z: The “E” Team

Over the next few weeks, we’re going through the alphabet here at Marlin Maniac.

We’ve already covered A, B, C, and D. Each of those four “teams” could boast a full roster. The letter E, however, only has 10 candidates to join. It’d be enough for a pretty good softball team, but barely enough for a baseball game, and at least three pitchers would have to play in the field.

Position Players

In terms of both production and performance, center and right fielder Juan Encarnación is front, center, and top of the list. He first joined the Florida Marlins with two other players from the Cincinnati Reds for Ryan Dempster. They traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers following their 2003 World Series title, then traded for him again the following trade deadline. In total, he played in 415 Marlins games over parts of four seasons and slashed .271/.327/.435 with 46 jacks and 223 RBI.

Miami Marlins — Florida Marlins right fielder Jim Eisenreich. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE / AFP PHOTO

Outfielder / first baseman Jim Eisenreich joined the Marlins in the second to last season of his 15-year major league career. At the age of 38, Eisenreich still had more to give, hitting .275/.336/.361 in 150 contests. In 11 plate appearances through the 1997 World Series, Eisenreich got to first base seven times, going four-for-eight with three walks. He was traded to the Dodgers in the infamous Mike Piazza deal at the 1998 deadline.

Middle infielder Damion Easley played in 200 Florida Marlins games in 2004 and 2005, appearing at every infield position and in right field. Although not a power hitter, strictly speaking, Easley still went deep 18 times with 73 RBI during his time with the team. He slashed .239/.321/.437.

Backup catcher A.J. Ellis spent the 2017 campaign as J.T. Realmuto’s safety net, appearing in 51 contests and hitting .210/.298/.371 with six round-trippers and 14 RBI. Ellis also threw out 33 percent of base stealers, six percent above the National League average.

Carl Everett, later an all-star for the Boston Red Sox, made his major league debut with the Florida Marlins in their first season. In total, he played in 27 games in 1993 and 1994, hitting .186/.230/.286 with a pair of home runs and six RBI.

Pitching

There’s only two pitchers in the rotation, led by right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. He started 63 times for the Miami Marlins from 2012 through 2014, racking up a 13-27 record and a 4.10 ERA. He struck out 264 in 369 frames, with a 1.363 WHIP. The first year post-Marlins would see him go 14-3 for the New York Yankees.

Jake Esch started in three games for the Miami Marlins in 2016. A right-hander, he allowed 17 hits and six walks in only 13 innings, with 10 strikeouts, an 0-1 record, a 5.54 ERA, and a 7.22 FIP.

Brian Edmondson‘s 111 Marlins’ contests leads the “E” team. In 1998 and 1999, the right-hander struck out 90 in 153 1/3 innings, going 9-11 with a 5.05 ERA and a 5.18 FIP. The book is closed on Edmondson with a 1.572 WHIP.

Brian Ellington‘s 97 appearances ranks a close second to Edmondson. From 2015 through 2017, Ellington was 7-4 with a 4.65 ERA and a nearly identical 4.67 FIP. He struck out 98 in 102 2/3 innings, with a 1.519 WHIP.

The only other player on the “E” team is left-handed reliever Cody Ege. He played in five games for the 2016 team, and put up a 3.333 WHIP in three innings of work.

World Series Impact

In 1997, Eisenreich hit .280 in 120 games for the Marlins, with 30 walks to only 28 strikeouts. The 2003 version of the team saw Encarnación hit .270 with 19 homers and 94 RBI in 156 contests.

Up-and-Coming

Outfielders Evan Edwards and Juan Encarnación (no relation) could make an impact on the parent club over the next two years. Tommy Eveld may be the team’s next closer, and Breidy Encarnación (no relation) should be up in four-to-six years.

That’s it for the letter, “E.” Check back tomorrow for another look into the alphabet, with nine guys and the letter, “F.” Thanks for reading.