If you’ve spent any time at loanDepot park lately, you know the vibe is shifting. People like to talk about the Fish as a team stuck in a perpetual rebuild, but looking at the Miami Marlins batting order heading into 2026, that narrative is getting a bit stale. Honestly, the 2025 season was a massive eye-opener. Clayton McCullough stepped in as manager and somehow squeezed 79 wins out of a roster many experts picked to lose 100. He’s back for his second year now, and the lineup he’s scribbling onto the card is starting to look legit.
The thing about the Marlins is they don’t have that $300 million superstar. They don’t have a Judge or an Ohtani. Instead, they have this weirdly effective collection of high-contact speedsters and young power hitters who actually started to put it together last August. If you're trying to figure out how this team plans to score runs, you have to look at the "chaos factor" they’ve built at the top of the card.
The Engine Room: Setting the Table
Everything in this lineup starts and ends with Xavier Edwards. The guy is basically a human vacuum on the bases. Last year, he put up a 3.2 WAR and hit .283, but that doesn’t even tell the whole story. He’s a switch-hitter who can slap the ball to all fields, and once he’s on first, the pitcher's ERA is basically in jeopardy.
McCullough seems to love the 1-2 punch of Edwards followed by Jakob Marsee. Marsee was a revelation after his August call-up in '25. He hit .292 and showed a disciplined eye that most rookies just don't have. When you have two guys at the top who can both steal 30+ bags and keep their OBP north of .350, you're putting immense pressure on the opposing starter before the "big" bats even get to the plate.
Then there’s Otto Lopez. He’s sort of the unsung hero here. He played 143 games last year—durability is a skill, folks—and while his .246 average isn't going to win a batting title, he’s a professional at-bat. He moves runners. He doesn't strike out a ton. He’s the glue that keeps the top of the Miami Marlins batting order moving toward the middle.
Where the Power Comes From
This is where it gets interesting. For years, the Marlins were "all speed, no thump." That changed when Kyle Stowers and Agustín Ramírez showed up.
- Kyle Stowers: 25 home runs in 2025. He’s the primary cleanup threat. He can be a bit streaky—strikeouts are still an issue—but when he connects, the ball stays hit.
- Agustín Ramírez: He’s only 23, but he’s already one of the most dangerous hitting catchers in the NL. He launched 21 homers last year. Having that kind of production from the catcher spot is a massive luxury.
- Connor Norby: He’s the X-factor. McCullough basically told him this winter to come in and "win the third base job." He hit 8 homers in 88 games last year, but the peripherals suggest there’s more in the tank. If he takes that next step, Miami suddenly has a very scary middle-of-the-order.
The Projected 2026 Lineup
If we’re looking at what the Opening Day card likely looks like, based on how McCullough finished the year and the current 40-man roster, it’s probably something like this:
- Xavier Edwards (2B) - Switch-hitter, elite speed.
- Jakob Marsee (CF) - High OBP, left-handed bat.
- Agustín Ramírez (C) - The young power anchor.
- Kyle Stowers (LF) - The primary RBI man.
- Connor Norby (3B) - Emerging power, high ceiling.
- Christopher Morel (DH) - The big offseason acquisition/wildcard.
- Otto Lopez (SS) - Defensive specialist with a "pest" bat.
- Deyvison De Los Santos (1B) - High variance, massive raw power.
- Griffin Conine (RF) - Left-handed pop to round out the bottom.
Wait, let’s talk about 1B for a second. That’s the biggest question mark. Eric Wagaman got a lot of run there last year, hitting .250, but the team is clearly looking for more "thump." There’s been a ton of smoke about them pursuing Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto or potentially shifting Griffin Conine to first base to get his bat in the lineup more consistently. Conine has the size for it, and his left-handed power is something this team desperately needs to balance out the righties.
Why This Lineup Actually Works
People love to mock the Marlins' payroll, but they’ve built a specific identity. It’s about versatility.
Look at Javier Sanoja. The kid can play basically anywhere—second, short, third, or even the outfield. He hit .243 in over 118 games last year. He’s not a starter in an "ideal" world, but he’s the type of player who allows McCullough to play the matchup game. If a tough lefty is on the mound, Sanoja or Maximo Acosta can slide in.
McCullough’s philosophy is "winning the day." He doesn't want guys looking at September standings in April. He wants hitters who can execute a sacrifice fly or a hit-and-run. It’s old-school baseball mixed with modern swing mechanics.
The defense is also a quiet part of why the batting order stays stable. When you have a guy like Otto Lopez at short, you aren't constantly shuffling the lineup because of defensive liabilities. That stability allows the hitters to find a rhythm.
Misconceptions About the "Fish"
One thing most people get wrong is thinking this is a "small ball" team. It's not. Not anymore. Last year, the Marlins actually showed a surprising amount of power, especially from the catcher and corner outfield spots.
The real struggle hasn't been hitting home runs; it's been consistency with runners in scoring position. They left way too many guys on third with less than two outs in 2025. That’s why the addition of a veteran like Christopher Morel or the potential signing of a Jonah Heim (rumored) could be the move that actually pushes them over the .500 mark.
What to Watch During Spring Training
If you’re keeping an eye on the Miami Marlins batting order during Grapefruit League play, watch the 1B and RF battles.
Troy Johnston and Heriberto Hernández are right there on the fringe. Hernández hit 10 homers in 87 games last year and showed a decent .785 OPS. If he outplays Conine in Jupiter, the bottom of the order looks totally different.
Also, keep an eye on Joe Mack. He’s the top catching prospect who could push Liam Hicks for the backup spot behind Ramírez. If Mack’s bat is ready, he might force his way into a DH rotation.
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Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're following the Marlins this year or looking at them for your fantasy draft, here is the reality:
- Draft Xavier Edwards for steals. He is a lock for 30+, maybe 40 if he stays healthy.
- Don't sleep on Agustín Ramírez. Catchers who hit 20+ homers are rare. He’s the real deal.
- Watch the lineup's handedness. McCullough is aggressive with platoons. If you're a right-handed hitter struggling against right-handed pitching, you're going to sit.
- Expect a lot of "moving parts." The Marlins value guys like Sanoja and Norby specifically because they can play multiple positions. This isn't a "set it and forget it" starting nine.
The 2026 season is going to be about whether the young core—Marsee, Ramírez, and Stowers—can prove that 2025 wasn't a fluke. If they can stay healthy and the front office adds one more veteran presence at first base, the Marlins won't just be an "easy out" in the NL East. They’ll be a problem.