The 3 Miami Marlins players that I expect to surprise in 2024

2023 is coming to an end and the 2024 season is coming up. There are some surprising players who I expect to make a difference in the upcoming season. It's a difference that the Miami Marlins badly need. In fact, you may already have an idea about some of them. I'm also hoping that I'm right due to the need for good pitching depth for the team. So who are these players?

The Miami Marlins have three players who I expect to make an unexpected difference in 2024.

3. SP MAX MEYER

Let's start with the obvious, as I just recently wrote about him. I'm obviously talking about starting pitcher Max Meyer. There's a reason why Meyer was an elite prospect at one point. He has elite stuff and just needs to stay healthy to showcase it. He's expected to be healthy in 2024, and while he will be on an innings limit, he should still provide enough innings to make a difference.

Max Meyer had a 7.50 ERA/6.45 FIP, with 9.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9, in 2 games and 6.0 innings pitched in 2022. The numbers might not look impressive at first glance, but the strikeout rate clearly is. More importantly, is just how good he was in the Minor Leagues. For example, he had a 2.27 ERA in AA and AAA in 2021, with 10.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9. He had 10.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 2022 in single A and AAA.

I fully believe that Max Meyer can provide 70 or so innings of sub 4.00 ERA ball.

NEXT: A SURPRISING HITTER....

1. SP EDWARD CABRERA

Starting pitcher Edward Cabrera can make the biggest difference in 2024, and I see it finally taking place. The former top prospect debuted in 2021 with a 5.81 ERA/6.63 FIP, with 9.6 K/9 and 6.5 B/9 in 7 games and 26.1 innings pitched. He followed that up with a breakout in the 2022 season. He produced a 3.01 ERA/4.59 FIP, with 9.4 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9, in 14 games and 71.2 innings pitched.

He was kind off all over the place in 2023, as he produced a 4.24 ERA/4.43 FIP, with 10.7 K/9 and 6.0 BB/9, in 22 games and 99.2 innings pitched. Edward Cabrera has an elite strikeout rate, but an alarmingly high walk rate. All that he needs to do is improve his control, and if he does he can legitimately turn himself into an ace.

Call me overly optimistic with is, but what if Cabrera finally gets his control....under control?! I can really see it happening as he's turning 26 years old in April next season. It's about time for him to turn the corner, and I see it happening next season. If it happens and he matches his 2022 results, he will be an ace that can help the Miami Marlins return to the playoffs.