The Miami Marlins are using GPS tracking technology across the organization to monitor sprint speed, workload, and player health as part of their development strategy.
Technology remains part of the Miami Marlins' long-term growth plan. This spring, they added another tool to keep players on the field and playing well.
MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that STATSports GPS tracking units are installed throughout the system to monitor players' workloads, sprint speeds, and movement patterns.
The gadgets are used by over 100 players from the Dominican Summer League to the main league. Players wear them inside a vest between their shoulder blades. Despite using GPS tracking in professional baseball before, the Marlins believe it can improve player health and help them develop their players.
A group that has focused on athletics for years now can use the technology to build a team that maximizes speed and defense.
GPS units track important metrics such as sprint speed and running distance during workouts and sports. Those metrics help the Marlins understand a player's physical stress over time.
The group tested it with minor-league teams last season. Since the data was useful, the Marlins expanded the program for the 2026 season, so everyone could use it.
The data helps coaches, trainers, and medical staff track workloads and communicate, according to strength and conditioning director Jeffrey Taylor. By monitoring players' peak sprint intensity, the Marlins can spot fatigue or injury issues before they worsen.
That much watching helps injured players recover. The performance team can tell when a player is ready to play again by monitoring their workload and movement patterns.
The new strategy strengthens the Marlins' speed-to-win strategy. Miami has one of MLB's youngest lineups and wants to use its athleticism offensively and defensively.
Manager Clayton McCullough has stressed the importance of speed, especially on the bases and in the field. GPS data lets the team see which players are reaching elite sprint levels and which need more training.
Some early results are promising. With a 33.07 mile-per-hour sprint, prospect Chase Jaworsky is the organization's fastest runner. The Statcast elite 30 feet-per-second threshold is far exceeded.
The Marlins' purpose is to use modern technology and traditional coaching to keep players healthy and maximize their physical potential all season.
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