Projecting Miami's 2023 Opening Day roster

Projecting Miami's 2023 Opening Day roster

March 27th, 2023

JUPITER, Fla. -- Spring Training is done and the Marlins' Opening Day roster is coming into focus.

Below is the latest roster projection.

Catcher (2): ,
The only backstops on the 40-man roster, Stallings and Fortes were splitting duties behind the dish by the end of the 2022 season. Stallings caught every pitch thrown by ace Sandy Alcantara during his National League Cy Young Award-winning campaign, while Fortes linked up with his former Triple-A teammates. Fortes had been sidelined with right knee tendinitis for eight days, but he returned to Grapefruit League action on March 25.

First baseman (1):
The first-base job is Cooper's after sharing reps with Jesús Aguilar from 2020-22. Named a '22 All-Star as a designated hitter, Cooper went from a .783 OPS in the first half of the season to a .681 OPS in the second half. Miami signed veteran to a Minor League deal as a backup option for Cooper, who hasn't appeared at first base more than 73 times in a season. Gurriel is expected to be on the Opening Day roster. No. 10 prospect Jordan Groshans had been learning the position this spring, but he missed two weeks due to a shoulder issue and was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on March 26.

Second baseman (1):
All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. volunteering to move to center field paved the way for Miami's acquisition of the 2022 American League batting champion. Arraez, who competed in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela, got extra work in before he departed. The Marlins don't want Chisholm bouncing around on defense, so Gurriel and utility player Jon Berti are backup options.

Shortstop (1):
With the departure of Miguel Rojas, the Marlins will have a new primary shortstop for the first time since 2017. Wendle recorded six defensive runs saved there in '22, but he has never been the everyday guy. Though Miami signed slick-fielding veteran José Iglesias to a Minor League deal, he will not make the Opening Day roster. Berti will be the backup, especially against tough lefties. Manager Skip Schumaker said Berti would "play some shortstop, maybe more than he did last year [10 games]."

Third baseman (1):
Segura has appeared at third base just 24 times -- all in 2020. Like Arraez, he got in extra work before departing for the World Baseball Classic. Berti and Gurriel are the backup options.

Outfielders (3): , ,
Spring Training has been full of lessons for Chisholm, whose athleticism has been on display in center field as he plays the position for the first time. García needs a bounceback campaign (65 OPS+) in the middle of the order. While Jorge Soler is expected to see most of his time as designated hitter, he can also play the corner-outfield spots. The left-handed-hitting Sánchez, who doesn't have any Minor League options remaining, and the right-handed-hitting Bryan De La Cruz could very well form a platoon.

Designated hitter (1):
Soler was on pace for a 30-homer season until playing his last game on July 22 due to recurring back problems. Miami also intends to use the DH spot to spell regulars.

Bench/Utility (3): , ,
Berti is the super-utility player and reigning MLB stolen-base champion. Gurriel was the 2021 AL batting champion and Gold Glove winner at first base. De La Cruz has been pegged as a potential breakout candidate internally and by MLB.com.

Starting pitchers (5): , , , ,
The Marlins will roll with a traditional five-man rotation after floating the idea of a six-man starting staff. Alcantara is the Opening Day starter, but the order of the rest of the rotation has yet to be announced.

Relief pitchers (8): , , , , , , ,
Since Miami is going with a five-man rotation, the odd man out (in this projection, Garrett) will serve as the long reliever. Okert is dealing with an adductor issue, which opens a spot for one of the bright spots in camp: Nardi.