From minor-league journey to big-league impact, relief pitcher Lake Bachar delivered a surprising 2025. Can he sustain that success and bolster the Marlins' bullpen in 2026?
Marlins fans didn't know what to expect from Lake Bachar in 2025.
The righty reliever spent almost a decade in the minors before making his big-league debut in September 2024.
It ended up working out.
Pitching in 53 games, mainly out of the bullpen, Bachar went 8-2 with a 3.93 ERA, starting one game and saving three.
Now, Bachar, at age 30, will look to have an encore.
He provided a lot for the Marlins in 2025, with quality production at a relatively cheap price, and is projected to make $820,000 in 2026.
It took Bachar a long time to get to the majors, and he plans on staying there. He's the second profile in our "Getting to Know the Fish" series.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 219 pounds
Hometown: Winfield, Illinois
Last year: In 2019, Bachar described his outlook, saying, "It's a complete unknown, taking it day by day, getting my innings in and getting my work done." The same could be said for his 2025 season.
The Bad: a 9.28 ERA in May.
The Good: a 0.68 ERA in June.
For Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, Bachar has the arsenal to dominate.
"We do believe that Lake has a chance to be a really impactful reliever for us," McCullough said after Bachar was sent down in May last year. “He certainly has the stuff."
Where He Stands: As of now, Bachar is most likely to fall in the middle of Miami's bullpen. For the Marlins to have a deep bullpen, they need to be strong in the middle, so although Bachar isn't one of the more heralded names on Miami's team, the Fish will need guys like him to make it to the playoffs.