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.