Three Reasons Why Miami Marlins' Skip Schumaker is a Dark Horse Manager of the Year Contender

As the MLB calendar transitions into its final stretch, playoff races across the league are beginning to heat up. With all but one division (the NL East) up for grabs several, familiar, powerhouse, clubs are rounding into form. However, a few surprise teams have a legitimate chance to shock the baseball world by earning a postseason berth. Chief amongst these is the upstart Miami Marlins. 

While the white-hot Atlanta Braves have a firm grasp of the division lead, the Marlins currently hold an above .500 record and sit just 1.5 games out of a wildcard spot. After adding several helpful pieces at the trade deadline, Miami has a legitimate chance to earn its fourth playoff berth in franchise history. This is a massive deal for the small-market franchise!

While several key players have led the club to success, manager Skip Schumaker deserves significant credit for leading this young roster toward the postseason. In fact, for the following reasons, the first-year skipper deserves legitimate consideration for the National League Manager of the Year award. 

The Plus Managerial Moves

In addition to overcoming these significant hurdles, the MLB veteran-turned-skipper has also been a part of several key transactions. He, alongside the club's front office, has made significant contributions to set up the franchise for success.

First and foremost, Schumaker was a part of the managerial team that executed the trade for All-Star, Batting Average Champion, and franchise cornerstone Luis Arraez. Even casual Marlins fans know how valuable the 26-year-old infielder has been. But for the uninitiated, here are a few absurd stats:

- Arraez is on pace to be the first player to hit .370 since Ichiro in 2006.
- Arraez leads the league with 15.43 at-bats per strikeout. The next highest in baseball is Jose Ramirez with 8.61.
- Arraez has stuck out just 28 times this season. For reference, MLB's second-best hitter (for average) Freddie Freeman has struck out 88 times. MLB's strikeout leader is Kyle Schwarber with 151 whiffs.

We could go on and on listing absurd stats for the Fins' star. But, suffice to say, he has made a massive impact since his arrival. While General Manager Kim Ng and others in the front office certainly deserve their fair share of credit, Schumaker was very much a part of the process. And this hasn't been his only difference-making transaction.

Trade deadline acquisitions David Robertson, Jake Burger, and Josh Bell have also kindled hope for a successful postseason run. While Robertson has struggled since his debut for Miami, he is a veteran releiver with a solid track record. Expect him to anchor the bullpen down the stretch.

Bell, on the other hand, was a deadline steal that has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order bat. While fans should not expect a return to his All-Star form, the veteran first baseman is a significant upgrade in the infield.

The Open Contenders Pool

Braves skipper Brian Snitker is likely the frontrunner for these honors, with Dave Bell of the Reds, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers, and Gabe Kapler of the Giants also in the mix. 

However, most of these managers lead clubs who had legitimate postseason aspirations at the beginning of the season. Snitker and Roberts were clear World Series favorites. Kapler’s Giants have also proven to be fringe contenders. 

However, when the season began, the Marlins and Reds were both in the bottom third of postseason contenders. Both have far exceeded these expectations. 

If one of these clubs does indeed capture a spot in the 2023 playoff field, that team's manager should move near the top of the list of Manager of the Year honors. This advancement is one that Schumaker and his team are in a prime position to make. 

After bolstering their team with the aforementioned deadline acquisitions and re-adding future ace Eury Perez to their rotation, Miami should be considered one of the favorites to play October baseball. This clearly makes Schumaker a not-so-dark-horse contender for Manager of the Year.