Young outfielder Jakobe Marsee believes the Miami Marlins are primed for a playoff push, fueled by hunger and a talented core ready to win.
Last season, the Miami Marlins were four wins away from making the playoffs. The team still found success, but with spring training a month away, the goal is to get over the hump and Jakobe Marsee believes it’s possible.
The 24-year-old centerfielder is coming off an outstanding (albeit short) rookie year. In 209 at-bats, Marsee tallied 61 hits and five home runs for a .292 batting average. He also batted in 33 runs and stole 14 bases, and had an .842 on-base plus slugging percentage and a 1.9 WAR in 55 games.
Marsee finished eighth in National League Rookie of the Year voting, making the top 10 alongside Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez, despite playing the fewest games among hitters.
A full season in the majors for Marsee could help the Marlins reach new heights and potentially a playoff berth. Marsee made a guest appearance on the Dec. 16 episode of the Marlins' Hot Stove Show. Marsee told hosts Stephen Storm and Jack McMullen he is confident in the team’s "hunger" for greater success ahead.
"I think a lot of us thought when we got eliminated, how we could’ve done it," Marsee said. “Obviously, I wasn’t there all year, but in the two months that I was there, we could look back on games where it's like, 'Dang, we let that one get away.'”
"We have a good enough group, and if we handle our business, it’s all going to take care of itself.”
Marsee is projected to be the Marlins’ lead-off hitter for 2026. It’s a significant step up for him after spending four years in the minor leagues. He alluded to feeling highly valued within the organization and potentially emerging as a cornerstone piece.
"Our goal our whole lives is to be a big-league player," Marsee added. "Something I really take a lot of pride in and want to win a lot of games. The group we have and the direction everything’s going – it’s super special.”
"For [the Marlins] to look at me as part of that future, it means a lot to me.”
The Marlins’ young core has shown tremendous progress and the next step is to become an established contender.
Marsee played a massive role in the success, despite only playing in the last two months of the regular season. A full year with an expanded role could boost his production on both offense and defense, perhaps enough to see him rank among the league's top young talents.
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