Miami Marlins: 6 Players That Must Have a Strong Month of June

As the calendar turns to June, the Miami Marlins have been fairly good for the most part up to this point. Yes, even despite the under-.500 record.

Yes, the Miami Marlins have been good. Currently sitting at 24-28 and 4th in the NL East, the Marlins are squarely in the thick of things in a deep division that is the NL East in 2021. Even despite all the injuries, Miami is still there.

Not only is this impressive to think about based solely off of how may injuries there have been for the Fish so far in 2021, but you can also stop to think how good this team can be at full strength.

Despite only being four games under .500, injuries have played a massive role so far this season. While Miami has seen the returns of Starling Marte and more in recent games, the losses of everyday starters such as Miguel Rojas and Brian Anderson leave massive gaps in the daily lineup.

While this presents opportunity for a few other players, those same players need to perform from here on.

There are a few Miami Marlins players that must have a good month of June.

It is no secret that these players have struggled up to this point. Mostly due to their performance at the plate, I’m not sure we expected these offensive numbers from a few of these hitters.

Is this a direct correlation of playing a bigger everyday role than they expected due to these injuries, or something else? As you’ll see, the recent trends for some offer thoughts of a potential break-out just around the corner, while others may offer some cause for concern.

Also, with the MLB Trade Deadline looming closer in late-July, these players based on their performance could see their names brought up in talks more and more. Would the trade talk also begin to affect their play on the field? I’m not sure, but I do know that these players must have a good month of June.

So let’s get to it. Here are six Miami Marlins players that must have a good month of June.

6. C Sandy Leon

2021 Season Stats: .169 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .437 OPS

Signed by Miami to a minor league deal in the offseason, Leon was expected to be nothing more than the Marlins backup catcher. However, things quickly changed due to various injuries, and the 32-year old veteran was forced into a bigger everyday role. Now with the catching group seemingly back to full health, Leon should return to his normal backup duties.

Leon got off to a hot start to the season, but finished the month of May hitting .117 only collecting 7 hits in 60 at-bats. The veteran catcher has been solid defensively so far this season, and it’s entirely possible that he could return to form now back in his normal role. However, if Leon cannot improve on his current production going forward, the Marlins may look at other options for a No. 2 catcher over the next month or two.

5. OF Corey Dickerson

2021 Season Stats: .277 AVG, 1 HR, 11 RBI, .341 OBP, .718 OPS

Dickerson has always been a consistent hitter throughout his big league career. Now in year two of his time in Miami, Dickerson got off to an outstanding start to the season hitting for a .320 AVG during the month of April. The same however could not be said for the month of May.

All of Dickerson’s season averages fell a substantial amount during the month of May as he hit .238 with a .595 OPS. With the Marlins outfield seemingly becoming more and more crowded by the day, Dickerson is slowly becoming the odd man out over names such as Marte, Duvall, Cooper, and potentially even Sanchez. If he doesn’t turn around recent trends, the upcoming free agent could be a prime candidate to be traded for a needed piece elsewhere.

4. UTL Jon Berti

2021 Season Stats: .170 AVG, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 SB, .568 OPS

Arguably the Marlins main utility man, Berti has been the main player forced into more everyday opportunities due to injuries. Because of this, Berti is on track to collect the most at-bats in one season of his career up to this point. While more opportunities can lead to more success, it has not necessarily gone as planned for Berti so far in 2021.

A .170 AVG through 45 games played is by-far the lowest of Berti’s career, as well as a career-low .568 OPS. The Marlins due to injuries need Berti to turn things around as he will most-likely occupy an everyday role for the time-being. Berti has already played in five different positions on the field so far for Miami in 2021, and it will be key for the Marlins going forward for the 31-year old to turn things around offensively.

3. OF Magneuris Sierra

2021 Season Stats: .247 AVG, 4 SB, .582 OPS

As mentioned previously, the Marlins outfield is by-far the most crowded position group on the team. One player from that group that quietly had an impressive month of May was Sierra who hit .283 in a bigger everyday role. After a very slow start to the season where he hit .118 in April, Sierra has impressed at times in recent weeks.

Going forward, Sierra will most likely be forced back to a reserve role as Miami’s everyday outfielders get healthy, unless he keeps maintaining these current trends. If he does, Sierra might push for more playing time. If not, Sierra might be a popular name to hear at the upcoming MLB Trade Deadline.