These 2 Marlins Hitters Have Gotten Off to Slow Starts in the Month of June

The Miami Marlins have been searching for silver linings in a season that hasn’t exactly gone to plan. But for two players who were expected to play meaningful roles in the team’s long-term outlook, June has brought more questions than answers.

Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez, both of whom flashed promise during the first two months of the season, have hit a wall. And while their struggles may appear similar on the surface, the implications for each player couldn’t be more different.

Stowers, acquired with hopes of becoming a middle-of-the-order bat, is off to a dreadful start this month. Through June 11, the 27-year-old outfielder is just 4-for-25 (.160) with a lone double and an RBI to his name. Most concerning of all? He’s struck out 11 times in that small span, accounting for 44% of his at-bats. Yikes!

Kyle Stowers’ recent struggles to put the ball in play are concerning, especially for a player who slugged six home runs in May. Power isn’t everything, but his trouble handling elevated fastballs and adjusting to offspeed pitches in the zone has become a clear weakness. It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago, we were watching what looked like a new and improved Stowers launch a grand slam off one of the game's elite closers, Mason Miller. And the pitch? A 101.7 mph elevated fastball on the outer half.

With the trade deadline just over six weeks away, the Marlins may now be forced to recalibrate expectations on what kind of return, if any, Stowers could net in a midseason deal. What once looked like a solid flip opportunity for a team in sell mode now feels more like a reclamation project for a guy who isn't all that young anymore.

If this trend continues, Miami might have to hold onto him longer than they originally planned, or consider packaging him with a more attractive asset to get a deal done. The longer the slump lasts, the less likely teams are to part with one of their top prospects.

Adjustments and Adaptations: Ramirez Learning on the Fly

While Stowers’ situation is tied to potential trade value, Agustin Ramirez is in a different kind of battle—a developmental one.

Ramirez has looked overmatched at the plate so far in June, going just 5-for-39 (.128) with a home run and two RBIs. His plate discipline hasn’t done him any favors either, as he’s walked just once while striking out six times. But the issues go beyond the raw numbers.

Early in his debut, Ramirez built a reputation for punishing inside pitches. That specific skill was well-noted on scouting reports, and MLB pitchers have taken notice. Now, the game is adjusting to him. Opposing arms are keeping the ball away, feeding him a steady diet of breaking balls on the outer edge and fastballs on the black. So far, Ramirez hasn’t found a consistent answer.

It’s a classic case of the league adjusting to a rookie—and now, it’s Ramirez’s turn to respond. The bat-to-ball skills are there. He’s shown flashes. But in the majors, raw talent isn’t enough without in-game adjustments and a veteran-like approach.

The good news? Ramirez still has time on his side. He’s young, and the Marlins are in no rush. The club likely sees this month as a necessary learning period rather than a red flag.

In a season that’s already been full of challenges, the Marlins could really use some clarity when it comes to these two young hitters. Whether Stowers can bounce back and rebuild enough value to be a meaningful trade chip, or Ramirez can work through the first real slump of his big league career, their next steps will say a lot—not just about their own futures, but about how the front office approaches the rest of this summer.