Miami Marlins: Predicting the 2024 Everyday Starting Lineup

Miami Marlins Pitching Staff

The Miami Marlins pitching staff will be loaded in 2024, even without making a big trade for a starter. Yes, the combination of the current trio in the major league staff and top prospects working their way up is indeed that good.

No. 1 – RHP Sandy Alcantara

The current ace of the Marlins starting rotation is under team control through 2025. Alcantara, still only 25-years old, is in year four of his time in Miami, and has been outstanding posting a combined 3.64 ERA through 56 starts during that time. We’ve seen how good Alcantara is now, but just imagine how good he’ll be in three years from now.

No. 2 – LHP Trevor Rogers

Rogers is currently enjoying a massive break-out 2021 season in which he sports a 6-2 record with a 1.75 ERA. Still only a rookie, Rogers is under team control through 2027, and based on the way he’s currently pitching, it’s near impossible to not imagine him in this rotation going forward. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year may be in Rogers near future, but will he become one of the best pitchers in the game by 2024?

No. 3 – RHP Sixto Sanchez

The Marlins’ current top prospect was as good as advertised in 2020 making his MLB debut. Sanchez is essentially around the same timeline as Rogers when it comes to team control, and has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the game in a couple of years. When Sanchez returns from his current injury, he should remind everyone just how good he can be to cement himself as one of the top young arms in baseball.

No. 4 – RHP Max Meyer

Meyer was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the First Round of the 2020 MLB Draft by the Marlins, and is already off to a phenomenal start to the 2021 season in Double-A. Listed as the Marlins #3 prospect, as well as the #22 prospect in baseball, Meyer displays an electric fastball and a wipe-out slider that play against anybody. Meyer should be in at least year two of his MLB career in 2024, and could make the case for the best #4 starter in baseball.

No. 5 – RHP Pablo Lopez

Still currently only 25-years old, Lopez would be entering the prime of his career in 2024. Now in year four in Miami, Lopez has continued to improve year-by-year, and is enjoying a current 2.73 ERA which is the best of his career so far. While Lopez could be traded, or Miami could opt-to fill the #5 spot a different way, I’ll say that Lopez is still here as one of the most consistent back-end rotation arms in the game.

Closer – RHP Edward Cabrera

While Cabrera is a potential candidate to fill the #5 spot in the rotation, the closer role seems to be more appealing for the Marlins #4 prospect. The #55 prospect in baseball displays an electric fastball that consistently flirts with triple-digits, as well as a solid slider and changeup. Cabrera has the potential to be one of the best young arms in the game, but making him a multi-inning weapon out of Miami’s bullpen is too-intriguing.

Miami Marlins Infield

We’ve already seen that the Miami Marlins pitching staff will be absolutely loaded, but what about the infield? This group has potential to look very different from what it currently is, but there is however one 100% given in this group.

C – Jorge Alfaro

This might be the hardest position to call. Alfaro would be in the final year of his deal, but would he even still be with Miami by then? I’ll say for now that this will be Alfaro, but if he cannot return to the production from previous years, the Marlins may look at other options.

1B – Lewin Diaz

Current first baseman Jesus Aguilar is unlikely to still be with Miami in 2024, making #5 prospect Lewin Diaz an easy choice here. Diaz is an outstanding defensive first baseman, while also showcasing an ability to hit for power on a consistent basis. While he may not hit as high up in the lineup as Aguilar currently is, Diaz should be one of the top young first baseman in the NL in a few years.

2B – Jazz Chisholm

This is the bonafide 100% guarantee in the Marlins 2024 everyday infield based off of the current roster. While he could play either 2B or SS, I’d say Chisholm will remain at second, and turn into one of the best second baseman and overall players in all of baseball. Plain and simple, Chisholm will be a superstar at the top of Miami’s everyday lineup for years to come.

SS – Jose Devers

While the Marlins could be a candidate in the next year or two to either sign or trade for a superstar shortstop, I’ll say that this spot will be Devers’ to lose. The Marlins current #8 prospect displays an ability to hit for contact, as well as a versatile infielder with the ability to play multiple positions. Still only 21-years old, Devers will only continue to develop, potentially into one of the more versatile shortstops in the game.

3B – Brian Anderson

While this position could look different, I’ll say it will still be Anderson manning the hot corner for Miami. Anderson will be in the last year of his contract before entering free agency, and in the prime of his career. If he makes it to 2024 still a member of the Marlins organization, would Anderson potentially re-sign with Miami as well?

Miami Marlins Outfield

While you would most likely say that the pitching staff will be the strength of this team going forward, don’t count out this outfield group. While there are numerous possibilities to fill these spots, this group will look very different than it currently does with three players setting themselves apart over time.

LF – Jesus Sanchez

Sanchez is bound to get his opportunity during the 2021 season in the big leagues based on the way he is currently hitting in Triple-A. The Marlins #6 prospect is an all-around hitter and defender who is flashing some big-time power this season that will be on full display for years to come. While he could play multiple positions in the OF, left field might be the most likely landing spot.

CF – Monte Harrison

We’ve seen short spirts of Harrison in the big leagues so far, but he hasn’t quite been able to claim a full-time starting spot, yet. The Marlins #14 prospect has bounced between the major leagues and Triple-A over the past two seasons, but should takeover as a starter in due time. When he does as well, he will be one of the most exciting players on this team.

RF – JJ Bleday

If you’re looking for the Marlins #2 or #3 hitter in this eventual lineup, look no further than Bleday. The Marlins #2 prospect was Miami’s 2019 First Round pick, and easily slots in at right field for the foreseeable future as soon as he makes his MLB debut. The current #15 prospect in baseball will be a superstar the moment he takes the field in Miami.

Lastly, let’s assume the National League adapts the DH full-time by 2024. We saw a glimpse of the Marlins using the DH during the 2020 season, but who will fill the role in a couple of years from now?

DH – Peyton Burdick

Burdick, the Marlins #12 prospect, is showcasing some impressive power in Double-A to start the season. Evident by 5 HRs in 19 games so far, Burdick displays power that will allow him to potentially hit anywhere from 15-20+ HRs a season eventually at the big league level. Still a year or two away from the major leagues, Burdick will be a candidate to emerge within the Miami system over the next year.

Is this not one of the most talented teams in baseball? It’s evident why the Miami Marlins future is so bright, and if you ask me, this could be one of the best teams in baseball in a couple of years.