By Angel Rassi
October 15, 2021
With the MLB regular season over and the Marlins season over with it, it is time to give out the Marlins season awards.
Comeback Player of the Year
Since last season was a shortened 60-game season, a player's improvement will be based on their 2019 and 2020 stats due to the shortened season.
Jesus Aguilar
Jesus Aguilar came to the Marlins when he was claimed off of the Rays waiver wire in the 2019 off-season.
Aguilar’s slash line in the 2019 and 2020 seasons combined were .251/.335/.414 with 20 home runs and 84 RBIs in 182 games played. That’s down from his 2018 All-Star season, the year before which was .274/.352/.539 with 35 home runs and 108 RBIs in 149 games played.
Luckily, it seems like Aguilar’s has made a bit of a resurgence in his first full 162-game MLB season with the Marlins. Aguilar’s slash line this year was .261/.329/.459 with 22 home runs and 93 RBIs in 131 games played. Aguilar led the NL in RBIs for some time during the 2021 season.
Winner: Jesus Aguilar
Due to the majority of the Marlins being rookies or consistently getting better each year, Aguilar easily takes the comeback player of the year for the Marlins. He went from an All-Star with the Brewers, to having a mediocre year with the Rays and getting waived, to leading the NL in RBIs for a while this season. Hopefully this is a sign that All-Star Aguilar is back.
Least Improved Player of the Year
Moving on from a player that seems to be making a resurgence to players that did not have a good year.
Lewis Brinson
Statistically this was one of Brinson’s best years, but that’s not saying much. Brinson had a line of .226/.263/.376. He had an OPS of .639 and an OPS+ of 71. Brinson hit 9 homers while driving in 33 and playing in 89 games this season. His WAR for the season came out as -0.1, his offensive WAR was -0.2, while his defensive WAR was 0.
Brinson has one of the worst OPS in Marlins franchise history for a position player that has played on the team for various seasons, his career OPS on the team is .570.
Isan Diaz
Out of Diaz’s 3 years in the big leagues this has been his best so far, but his stats pale in comparison to the rest of his teammates. Diaz’s slash line was .193/.293/.282. His OPS was .575, while he had an OPS+ of 58. He hit 4 home runs and drove in 17 while playing in 89 games for the season. His WAR for the season was -1.5, he had a -0.7 offensive WAR, and a -0.7 defensive WAR.
Diaz also has one of the worst OPS in Marlins franchise history for a position player that has played on the team for several seasons, Diaz’s career OPS on the Marlins is .562.
Magneuris Sierra
This is the first time Sierra has reached over 100 games in a season in his 5 years in the majors. Sierra drew up a stat line of .230/.281/.268. His OPS was .549, while his OPS+ was 51. Sierra hit 0 home runs this season but batted in 5 runs. Sierra has never hit a home run in his entire major league career, but his speed makes up for it. His war for the season was 0.1, his offensive WAR was -0.6, while his defensive WAR was 0.7.
Just like the two mentioned before him, Sierra also has one of the worst OPS in Marlins franchise history for a position player that has been on the team for several seasons,his career OPS is .565. However, when speaking about his career OPS on the Marlins alone, it is .549.
Infamous Winner: Isan Diaz
Ultimately, it came down to Diaz being a liability on the offensive and defensive end. Even though this was Diaz’s best year when it came to his batting average, he still batted under the Mendoza line.
Even though Sierra had the worst OPS+, he’s able to make up for it on the defensive end. Sierra also has the speed to help him get around the bases, he just needs to learn how to run the bases because he still does make amateur mistakes when he’s on the base path and has even been picked off twice this year.
As for Brinson, even though his career batting average is still below the Mendoza line, with him having a .199 batting average, he still showed this year improvements that were not shown in previous years and at one point in the season he was on a hot streak and actually made it over the Mendoza line.
Reliever of the Year
For reliever of the year the main stats I’m taking into consideration are ERA, ERA+, wins, saves, holds, opponents batting average, WHIP, and pitching WAR. Also, only their relief stats will be taken into account.
Anthony Bender
Rookie reliever Anthony Bender’s first year in the majors was a success. Bender pitched 60.1 innings in 59 games as a reliever. He had 3 wins and 2 losses, with a 2.83 ERA in his relief outings and also ended with an ERA+ of 150. Bender had a 1.077 WHIP while his opponents had a .210 batting average when he relief pitched. Bender ended the season with 12 holds, 3 saves, and blew 2 saves. He also had a 1.2 WAR to end the season, tied for second amongst relievers.
Bender struck out 3.5 times more batters than he walked. He walked 20 batters while striking out 70 and allowing 19 earned runs. Bender’s walks per 9 innings for the season was 2.9, while his strikeouts per 9 were 10.4.
Richard Bleier
Veteran reliever Richard Bleier had a good pitching year. Bleier pitched 58 innings in 68 games this season. He won 3 games while losing 2 and having a season ERA of 2.95, along with an ERA+ of 142. Bleier had a WHIP of .983 and an opponent batting average of .241. Bleier ended with 20 holds, 6 blown saves, and 0 saves for the season. Bleier’s WAR was 1.2, tied with Bender for second amongst relievers.
Bleier delivered almost 7.5 times more strikeouts than walks. He walked 6 batters and struck out 44 while allowing 19 earned runs. His walks per 9 was 0.9, while his K’s per 9 were 6.8.
Dylan Floro
Dylan Floro is another veteran relief pitcher that had a good year for the Marlins. Floro pitched 64 innings in 68 games. He ended with an equal amount of wins and losses, both at 6. His season ERA was 2.81 and his ERA+ was 149. Floro’s WHIP was 1.219 and his opponents’ batting average was .217. Floro mainly was used as the closer for the Marlins, where ended his season with 11 holds and 15 saves but he blew 6 saves. Floro’s WAR was 1.5, the highest amongst Marlins relief pitchers.
Just like his teammates, Floro was able to deliver a good strikeout to walk ratio, punching out almost 2.5 times more batters than he allowed to walk. He walked 25 batters while striking out 62 and allowed 20 earned runs. His walks per 9 was 3.5, while his K’s per 9 were 8.7.
Winner: Anthony Bender
All 3 relievers had a good resume for the season but Bender’s was slightly better than his colleagues. Bender slightly had the best ERA+, along with the best K’s per 9. Bleier slightly beat him out when it came to WHIP, only by .094. Bender had a couple of appearances throughout the season as a closer. This being his rookie year, if he consistently improves year by year, he might lock up the closer role and could become the best reliever on the Marlins pitching staff.
Cy Young Award
Only 1 Marlins pitcher reached the innings pitched needed to qualify for the Cy Young, in this case the qualifications for innings pitched will be lowered to 100 innings needed. The main stats I will be looking at for the Marlins Cy Young award winner are ERA, ERA+, wins, opponents batting average, strikeouts, runs allowed, WHIP, and pitching WAR.
Sandy Alcantara
Sandy Alcantara was the ace pitcher for the Marlins in 2021. Alcantara started and pitched in 33 games, the only Marlins starter to pitch in over 30 games this season. In those 33 games, Alcantara pitched 205.2 innings this season. He had an ERA of 3.19 and an ERA+ of 131. Alcantara managed to get 9 wins but 15 losses this season.
Alcantara gave up 73 earned runs throughout the season while striking out 201 batters and walking 50. His K’s per 9 were 8.8, while his walks per 9 were 2.2. He also had a WHIP of 1.075, while his opponents had a battering average of .223 against him.
Alcantara led the Marlins pitchers in WAR with a 4.1 pitchers WAR. That WAR was also the highest among all Marlins.
Pablo Lopez
Pablo Lopez was having a great year until he got injured in mid-July and missed two and a half months, however he was doing so well that he was still one of the Marlins best pitchers. Lopez pitched 102.2 innings in 20 games. His ERA was 3.07 with a 136 ERA+. Lopez finished equal when it came to wins and losses, with 5 for each.
Lopez gave up 35 runs while striking out 115, and walking 26 batters. He had 10.1 K’s per 9 while averaging 2.3 walks per 9. Lopez had a WHIP of 1.120 and also had an opposing batting average of .233.
Lopez’s pitching WAR was 2.8 which was the third highest among the Marlins pitchers.
Trevor Rogers
Trevor Rogers rookie season went as good as it possibly could, so good that he’s in NL rookie of the year contention and was the Marlins representative at the All-Star game. Rogers pitched 133 innings in 25 games. His ERA was 2.64 and his ERA+ was 158, both of which were the best by any Marlins pitcher this season. Rogers won 7 games while taking the loss in 8.
Rogers gave up 39 earned runs, while striking out 157, and walking 46. His strikeouts per 9 were 10.6, while his walks per 9 were 3.1. Rogers WHIP was 1.150, while his opponents batting average against him was .218.
Rogers’ pitching WAR was the second best on the Marlins at 3.5, just behind Alcantara.
Winner: Trevor Rogers
Rookie Trevor Rogers takes the Marlins Cy Young award for everything he’s been able to accomplish his rookie year. Among the three Marlins Cy Young candidates he had the best ERA, ERA+, K’s per 9, and the lowest opposing batting average. Even though he pitched less innings than Alcantara, at the rate Rogers was going he was projected to pass Alcantara’s stats. Roger’s had the best rookie season for a Marlin’s pitcher since Jose Fernandez. Rogers could have a bright future and help the Marlins rotation if it is anything like his rookie season.
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year is chosen based on their stats in their rookie season and how they helped their team and themselves succeed.
Jazz Chisholm
Jazz Chisholm made his major league debut during last year's 60-game shortened season, but this is his first full year as a rookie and he made sure the whole league knew who he was. Chisholm played in 124 games and had a slash line of .248/.303/.425. His OPS for the season was .728, along with an OPS+ of 96. Chisholm hit 18 homers, drove in 53 runs, and stole 23 bases. He also had a 2.4 WAR, which was the fifth highest amongst the current Marlins, and the second highest amongst the Marlins rookies.
Even with Chisholm’s impressive rookie stat line, his rookie season will probably be outshined and best remembered by people for his charismatic and caring personality. From Chisholm’s Euro step home run celebration to him taking pictures with fans and signing autographs for them post-game.
Trevor Rogers
Trevor Rogers also made his debut during the shortened MLB season and he made sure his first full season would be a memorable one. Rogers pitched 133 innings in 25 starts. He had an ERA of 2.64 and an ERA+ of 158, both of which were the best among Marlins pitchers. He won 7 of his starts and lost in 8 of them.
Rogers struck out 157 batters, while only walking 46. He had a K’s per 9 of 10.6 and his walks per 9 of 3.1. His WHIP for the season was 1.150 and his opposing batting average was .218. Rogers had a WAR of 3.3, which was the second highest on the Marlins, and the highest among the Marlins rookies.
Rogers rookie season was such a success that he was chosen to represent the Marlins at the 2021 All-Star game. Rogers is also in contention for NL Rookie of the Year.
Jesus Sanchez
Jesus Sanchez, like his two teammates also made his debut during the shortened season and this was his first full season on the Marlins roster. Sanchez played in 64 games and had a slash line of .251/.319/.489. He had an OPS of .808 for the season and an OPS+ of 116. Sanchez hit 14 home runs and batted in 36. His WAR for the season was 1.2, which was tied for third among Marlins rookies.
Sanchez’s power helped him in his rookie season and constant improvements year by year could probably make him one of Miami’s best power hitters of the future.
Winner: Trevor Rodgers
Trevor Rodgers is one of the best arms in the Marlins rotation stat wise and his contention for NL Rookie of the Year, makes him a lock for Marlins Rookie of the Year.
Most Valuable Player
There is no specific criteria for the MVP award. The best player is awarded the award due to their exemplary work throughout the season.
Sandy Alcantara
Sandy Alcantara was the ace of the team, he was the #1 guy in the rotation and the starting pitcher on Opening Day of the 2021 MLB season for the Marlins. Alcantara pitched 205.2 innings in 33 starts. He got 9 wins in his 33 starts, along with earning a 2.19 ERA, and an ERA+ of 131. Alcantara struck out 201 batters while walking 50 and earned a WHIP of 1.75. His K’s per 9 were 8.8, while his walks per 9 were 2.2. Alcantara’s WAR for the season was 3.9, the highest out of all the Marlins on the roster.
Alcantara became just the fifth Marlins pitcher to pitch at least 200 innings and get at least 200 strikeouts in the same season.
Pablo Lopez
When the season started Pablo Lopez was the second guy in the Marlins rotation. He pitched 102.2 innings in 20 starts. Lopez was able to earn 5 wins in 20 starts, an ERA of 3.07, and an ERA+ of 136. Lopez was also able to strikeout 115 batters while walking only 26, which earned him a WHIP of 1.120. He had a K’s per 9 of 10.1 and a walks per 9 of 2.3 for the season. Lopez had a WAR of 2.7, the third highest among current Marlins.
In Lopez’s final start before he got injured on July 11th, he set a MLB record by striking out nine consecutive batters to start a game.
Trevor Rodgers
Trevor Rodgers started the season in the Marlins rotation, but nobody expected the magnificent season that he had coming. Rodgers pitched 133 innings in 25 starts. Rodgers won 7 games, had an ERA of 2.64, and an ERA+ of 158. He struck out 157 batters and walked 46, while earning a WHIP of 1.150. His K’s per 9 were 10.6, while his walks per 9 were 3.1. Rodgers WAR for the season was 3.3, the second highest amongst Marlins players and the highest out of all the Marlins rookies.
Trevor Rodgers was also chosen as the Marlins representative for the 2021 All-Star game.
Winner: Sandy Alcantara
The MVP award was the most difficult to choose a winner for but ultimately it had to go to Sandy. Alcantara had the highest WAR out of every Marlins player, he pitched in the most innings out of all the pictures on the roster, and he struck out over 200 batters. Sandy accomplished something that only four Marlins pitchers were able to accomplish before him, 200 innings pitched and 200 strikeouts season. Sandy didn’t miss any time throughout the season and he dominated on the mound every 5 days. Therefore, the 2021 Marlins MVP goes to Sandy Alcantara.
Angel Rassi is the editor in chief and owner of Anything Can Happen In Sports. To contact him for any questions or information on a story, email arassi2018@gmail.com or tweet him @arassi2000.
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