Gold Glove outfield finalist Stowers seeing more time at first base

PITTSBURGH – In his breakout 2025 campaign, Kyle Stowers’ various accolades included being named a National League Gold Glove finalist in left field.

So when Marlins manager Clayton McCullough and the organization approached him during Spring Training about the possibility of adding first base to his resume, it would’ve been perfectly fine for the 2025 All-Star to say no. But that’s not how Stowers goes about his business.

“First and foremost, I want to do whatever I can to help the team,” Stowers said. “Do I believe that I'm a damn good outfielder? Yeah, I really do, but I also believe that I can play this position well.”

At the beginning, Stowers got work at the position just twice a week. It wasn’t a priority, just something to have in his back pocket in case the need arose for Miami in the future. Connor Norby, who came over in the Trevor Rogers trade with Stowers, also picked up first base this spring and has started there a club-high 39 times.

When a right hamstring strain toward the end of big league camp sidelined Stowers until April 19, however, it made him think more about longevity and staying healthy.

“We play on turf,” Stowers said. “Maybe it's just a way that down the road potentially this position can be something that actually helps me and keeps me on the field more. I think my play style kind of suits it as well. I believe I'm a very, very good outfielder. I take a lot of pride in my defense, but that being said, I feel like I could be a solid first baseman as well.”

Through the weekend series in Pittsburgh, Stowers has appeared at first base six times this season. His first opportunity came on April 26 in San Francisco, then not again until June 5. This month, Stowers has started there four times, including back-to-back games last week. Only Norby has done so more for Miami (five) in June.

As McCullough explains it, there are several reasons for Stowers’ increased action at first. Based on how guys are performing, it’s a chance to get hot hitters like Heriberto Hernández in the lineup more. Or to give Esteury Ruiz more regular playing time. With Joe Mack starting the majority of the games at catcher, Liam Hicks has bounced between first base and designated hitter. And since the position hasn’t seen consistent offensive production (98 OPS+) as a group, Stowers provides it with a middle-of-the-order bat.

“That's where we're keeping that option open with Kyle,” McCullough said. “There's several times within games where, ‘Hey, if we make this pinch-hit or we make this maneuver, Kyle could still go into games and play first base.’ How much he ends up starting down the road, we'll see, but don't feel like there's any loss in Kyle going out there and continuing to get some reps in and be prepared if it's a start or if it's things within a game that just make the most sense for us to use everyone we have on the roster.”

Across 47 innings, Stowers has committed one error (on a missed catch pickoff attempt last week), turned three double plays and recorded two scoops. As a left-hander, Stowers can make easier throws to second base with his forehand. It’s somewhat similar going home.

With time, Stowers will learn the nuances of the position from backpicks from the catcher to the triangle balls with second baseman Xavier Edwards. Miami does its best to replicate scenarios in practice and often shows Stowers video.

“I told him, I was like, ‘I hate to tell you, I think you're going to be pretty good at this,' and he's like, ‘Yeah, that was what I was afraid of,'” infield coach Blake Butler recalled from Spring Training. “He's done a really great job. He keeps saying, ‘I want to have a growth mentality about this.' He said that in Spring Training, and you see that the way he comes out and goes about his work.”

This hasn't stopped Stowers from getting outfield reps. He is still in the outfield rotation, starting in left (three games this month) and right (three games) to go along with two starts at designated hitter.

“It's a work in progress, and it's not going to be an overnight thing,” Stowers said of playing first base. “As it becomes more normal, there'll be fine-tuning things as well. So I’m just enjoying the process. Maybe to steal a line from Connor, ‘Try to treat it like recess.’”