Miami Marlins: The 10 Best Rookie Seasons in Franchise History

10. Anibal Sanchez (2006)

Sanchez was a solid major leaguer for more than a decade, even though not all of that was spent in a Marlins uniform. Sanchez was a rookie with the great Marlins rookie class of 2006 going 10-3 with a 2.83 ERA. Still only 22 years old at the time, Sanchez threw 114.1 innings and only allowed 9 HR’s.

While not necessarily overpowering hitters with a meager 72 K’s, Sanchez nonetheless was hard to get a hit off. Sanchez’s 2006 rookie season brought some phenomenal performances including his debut against the New York Yankees, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings with seven hits and two strikeouts in a win, as well as a no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

9. Giancarlo Stanton (2010)

Stanton, the only MVP winner this franchise has ever had, also began his career looking like a player that would have an impact for years to come. Known as Mike Stanton at the time, Stanton was the third-youngest player to debut for the Marlins at 20 years and 212 days old.

Stanton’s rookie year came in 2010 when he slashed .259/.326/.507 with a phenomenal 22 HR’s. The young slugger however struggled as well with 123 K’s and a strikeout percentage of 31.1%, the second-highest of his career looking back. Stanton also had a memorable debut against the Philadelphia Phillies where he went 3-for-5 at the plate.

8. Edgar Renteria (1996)

Renteria is the youngest player to debut for the Marlins at only 19 years and 277 days of age. Renteria would go on to win the World Series title with the Marlins in 1997 delivering a massive walk-off hit in game seven that won the Marlins their first pennant.

Renteria’s rookie year was in 1996 where he sported a batting average of .309 along with an OPS of .757. Also adding 31 RBI’s and a .358 OBP, Renteria came in second place in the NL Rookie of the Year race, losing to future Marlin Todd Hollandsworth.

7. Miguel Cabrera (2003)

Cabrera was key to the Marlins winning the 2003 World Series, which just so happened to be his rookie season. The second-youngest player to debut for the Marlins, Cabrera slashed .268/.325/.468 with 12 HR’s and 62 RBI’s in 87 games, and even delivered a home run in his first career game.

Cabrera would explode into superstardom during the 2003 playoffs, specifically during the notorious NLCS against the Chicago Cubs batting at a .333 AVG with 3 HR’s in seven games. Cabrera would go on to become arguably the franchises greatest player, and one of the greatest hitters the league has seen.

6. Josh Johnson (2006)

Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2002 MLB Draft, Johnson was the second pitcher from the 2006 rookie crop to make this list going 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA and 133 K’s. Even with these strong numbers, Johnson finished in fourth place for NL Rookie of the Year voting behind a couple of other Marlins (more on that later).

Johnson was tied for the most wins on the team during his first year along with two other teammates, while also leading the team in ERA. Johnson would eventually become a two-time All-Star, and win the ERA title in 2010 making him not only one of the best rookies, but best pitchers in Marlins history.

5. Chris Coghlan (2009)

The third player to win the Rookie of the Year award for the franchise, Coghlan played in 128 games during his rookie season. Coghlan slashed .321/.390/.460 during the 2009 season, and was sixth in the National League with his .321 AVG, to pair with 31 doubles, 9 HR’s, and 47 RBI’s.

Coghlan was never able to reproduce the success he had during his rookie run, but his great rookie season is enshrined forever with him winning the NL Rookie of the Year. While he struggled after this rookie season, Coghlan certainly made a big and memorable impact during 2009 with the organization that will be remembered for years to come.

4. Dontrelle Willis (2003)

The first Marlins player to win the NL Rookie of the Year, Willis’ rookie year came during the 2003 championship-winning season. During this season, Willis posted a 14-6 record with a 3.30 ERA and 142 K’s, as well as pitching two complete-game shutouts, both before the age of 22.

D-Train was always fun to watch with his signature high kick throwing motion that he had. While his postseason was not as memorable as previously mentioned Miguel Cabrera’s turned out to be, Willis was a large contributor for a World Series team posting the third-highest WAR at 4.4.

3. Dan Uggla (2006)

Selected during the Rule 5 Draft from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Uggla came into the league mashing as he hit 27 HR’s in his rookie season with a .282 AVG and a .818 OPS. At 26 years old, it was evident to say that Uggla was seasoned enough to begin his major league journey.

Making the 2006 NL All-Star team in his rookie year, the lone rookie on the team in 2006 to do so, Uggla also finished in second place in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. One of the best home run hitters to ever wear a Marlins uniform, Uggla probably had one of the best seasons in league history to not win a Rookie of the Year award.

2. Hanley Ramirez (2006)

Acquired in 2005 from the Red Sox in a blockbuster trade, Ramirez played his first full season in 2006 when he won the organization’s second Rookie of the Year Award. Ramirez that season slashed .292/.353/.480 with 59 RBI’s, 17 HR’s, 11 triples, and 51 SB’s.

Able to make an impact anywhere on the field, Ramirez would go on to win two silver sluggers, as well as a batting title in 2009 when he averaged .342. The Ramirez deal could be seen as one of the few times both teams came out on top as the Red Sox would go on to win the World Series, while the Marlins gained prospects that came into the league and make an immediate impact.

1. Jose Fernandez (2013)

Debuting in 2013, Fernandez made his way to the big leagues at 20 years old and 250 days. During his rookie year in 2013, Fernandez flashed that brilliance he showed in the minors posting a 12-6 record with a 2.19 ERA and 187 K’s.

In his first year in the majors, Fernandez finished second in the league in ERA, as well as his first NL All-Star team. Fernandez’s brilliance on the mound will always be remembered as evident by his historic 2013 rookie season that will go down in not only Marlins history, but baseball history overall.

We’ve seen the phenomenal rookie seasons that the Marlins have had during their franchise history. Will we see any current or future Marlins players join this list in the near future?