Washington Nationals 2020 season preview: Miami Marlins
By Max Rayman
The Miami Marlins will spend the 2020 season as the odd man out as they will be focusing on rebuilding instead of competing.
Miami Marlins 2019 record: 57-105
Washington’s record vs. Miami: 15-4
Miami added/re-signed: Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson, Fransisco Cervelli,
Miami lost: Starlin Castro, J.T. Riddle, Chen Wei-Yin, Martin Prado, Neil Walker, Curtis Granderson
The Rundown
Miami is coming off of their 10th straight losing season and the streak will probably continue. Fortunately for the Marlins, they were able to restock a once barren farm system. Bleacher Report has them ranked at number nine.
Spring Training will allow for the Marlins young and talented core of prospects to showcase what is to come. All eyes will be on Jazz Chisholm, Monte Harrison, Lewin Diaz, Jesus Sanchez, JJ Bleday, and Sixto Sanchez just to name a few. Bleday is at least a year away, but it will be interesting to see his current standing. Bleday is the Marlins second best prospect and top offensive prospect in the farm system.
Sixto Sanchez, the Marlins number one prospect will be the main attraction. The 21 year old thrived at Double A last season. In 114 innings, he went 8-4, with a 2.76 ERA, and 103 strikeouts, while holding opposing hitters to a .234 batting average. Curious to when Sanchez will make the big league roster? Fish Stripes Staff of SB Nation’s Fish Stripes predicts, “Sixto is heading to Triple-A Wichita to begin 2020, though it’s not as if he has anything left to prove—the Marlins want to save as many bullets as possible for when they have a deep lineup and competent bullpen to surround him with.”
Monte Harrison is another interesting case to keep an eye on. He will be battling current center fielder Lewis Brinson for the starting spot. Brinson, who was the main player acquired in the Christian Yelich trade has struggled mightily in the majors. Last year, Harrison shined at Triple A as he hit .274, with nine homers, 24 RBI’s, and 20 stolen bases in 22 attempts. Harrison will be given a shot to take over the role if Brinson continues to falter.
Now the Marlins should have a better season than 2019 as they brought in veterans such as Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, Fransisco Cervelli, and Corey Dickerson. Those four alone should help an offense that struggled in 2019. Expect Miami to gauge trade interest on all four as the season goes on to flip them in order to strengthen the farm system even more.
Nationals to Watch
Starlin Castro played on the Marlins for the last two seasons. Now with the Nats, he will be our player to watch. It’s always fun to see how players do against their former teams. Castro had a solid two year run with the Marlins and is coming off a season where he hit .270, with 22 homers, and 86 RBI’s. Castro will split time at second base with Howie Kendrick and Asdrubal Cabrera, but will receive ample playing time.
2020 Series Prediction
March 30-April1 @ Miami
April 6-8 in D.C.
May 22-25 in D.C.
August 4-6 @ Miami
September 11-13 @ Miami
September 18-20 in D.C.
The Nats are the reigning champs and are running it back with a majority of the 2019 team. Miami on the other hand will be testing out their young players to see if they will be in the rebuilds long term plans.
Prediction: Nats win season series 14-5