Marlins' Brian Navarreto Finding Value Beyond Bat

MIAMI — Brian Navarreto’s 2026 season has not been defined by offensive numbers. Instead, the Miami Marlins catcher has found ways to remain useful during a year in which his bat has struggled to produce consistently.

In a recent interview with Tyler Boronski on the field at loanDepot park during the Marlins’ nine-game homestand, he shared his thoughts on a variety of topics.

The Marlins’ catching competition was crowded at the beginning of the season, with Agustín Ramírez and Liam Hicks also in the fold.

Navarreto, 31, has already experienced the difficult road that many professional baseball players face. His path has included years of minor league baseball and limited opportunities at the highest level.

Navarreto entered the year on the fringes of the Marlins’ plans, continuing the long journey that has taken him through multiple organizations and minor league stops. When his opportunity arrived, he made the most of it.

Entering Tuesday, Navarreto is batting .114 with a .184 on-base percentage and a .205 slugging percentage in 25 games for the club, serving as the backup to Joe Mack.

He has one home run and two RBIs in 44 at-bats. Those numbers are certainly not what an offensively-minded player would want, but catching requires far more than what appears in a box score.

"It's awesome to be here and at least help the guys with my energy," Navarreto said. 

His lone home run of the season came Aug. 17 against Philadelphia. The solo shot in the eighth inning gave Miami an offensive spark and represented one of Navarreto’s most memorable moments of the season.

According to current salary data, Navarreto is making approximately $412,942 in 2026.

In a sport where some of the game's biggest stars earn tens of millions of dollars annually, that is a relatively small paycheck for a player in the major leagues.

That difference helps put Navarreto’s position into perspective. He is not playing under the security of a massive contract. Every opportunity carries weight, and every game is another chance to demonstrate that he belongs in the majors.

It also puts his journey into perspective. Simply earning a spot on an MLB roster can be a significant accomplishment for someone who has spent years working and fighting for that opportunity.

Navarreto has continued to receive opportunities with the Marlins, putting him in position to show why the organization continues to value his work behind the plate.

Catchers are responsible for handling pitchers, controlling the running game, blocking balls in the dirt and managing the many small details that can influence the outcome of a game.

"I'm trying to do my best and I will keep doing my best," Navarreto said.