The Miami Marlins have been stuck in a rut, failing to climb higher than third place in the NL East for the past five seasons. But here's the silver lining: there's a buzz of optimism surrounding their starting lineup for the upcoming year. Let's dive into why.
The Marlins' outfield is looking solid, thanks to breakout performances from Kyle Stowers and Jakob Marsee. Stowers had a stellar year, while Marsee impressed in his first taste of major league action. Behind the plate, Agustin Ramirez made waves, finishing sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and providing much-needed power as both a catcher and designated hitter. And let's not forget the high-contact middle infield duo of Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez, who've been holding down the fort.
But here's where it gets tricky: finding consistent production at the corner positions, especially first base, has been a headache. Enter Connor Norby, a name that's been floated as a potential solution. According to Kevin Barral and Isaac Azout of Fish on First, Norby could see some time at first base moving forward. This is intriguing because Norby, primarily a third baseman with a few appearances at second base, has never played first base in the majors. However, he did spend time in the outfield during his stint in Baltimore's minor league system, so versatility isn't entirely foreign to him.
And this is the part most people miss: the Marlins shuffled seven different players through the first base position in 2025, resulting in a lackluster .663 OPS—27th in the league. Eric Wagaman led the pack with 392 plate appearances but managed only an uninspiring 85 wRC+. Troy Johnston, who posted a stellar .972 OPS in 42 plate appearances, was claimed off waivers by the Rockies earlier this month. Currently, the top options at first base are Wagaman and Graham Pauley, with Liam Hicks potentially factoring in when he's not catching.
Norby, 25, is penciled in as the leading candidate for third base in 2026, a position he started 77 times last season. However, his defensive struggles—grades of -5 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average at third base in 2025—could push him across the diamond. His defensive metrics haven't been kind; he posted -6 OAA between second and third base in 2024. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald previously noted that Norby might compete with Pauley for the third base spot if the Marlins don't make any free agent additions. Pauley, for the record, graded out much better defensively last year, with three DRS and six OAA.
Offensively, Norby showed promise after joining the Marlins from the Orioles in a 2024 midseason trade. He slashed .247/.315/.445 with seven home runs and three steals in 36 games, despite a lofty 32.1% strikeout rate. His bat seemed to outweigh his defensive limitations—at least initially.
But here's where it gets controversial: Norby's 2025 campaign was underwhelming. While he trimmed his strikeout rate to 26.7%, his power numbers plummeted. His ISO dropped to .138, and his SLG fell by 56 points. After hitting nine home runs in 45 games in 2024, he managed just eight in 88 games last season. Injuries may have played a role; he missed time with an oblique strain, a wrist issue, and a quad strain. Still, the question remains: can Norby bounce back and justify his spot in the lineup?
Kyle Stowers' emergence as a power hitter has already made the Trevor Rogers trade a win for Miami, but getting production from Norby would sweeten the deal even further. The Marlins could also explore free agency for a more reliable first baseman. While they're unlikely to target top-tier options, the bargain bin includes veterans like Josh Bell or Donovan Solano, who could provide stability.
Here's the million-dollar question: Is Connor Norby the answer at first base, or should the Marlins look elsewhere? Could his defensive shortcomings be a dealbreaker, or will his bat prove too valuable to ignore? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that's sure to spark some fiery opinions.
