Joe Mack's bat comes alive as Marlins sweep Nationals

When the Miami Marlins called up Joe Mack and started him at catcher, the expectation was that he would be an instant improvement defensively for the position. 

Now his bat is coming into form as well.

Mack was a key factor in the Marlins taking three straight against the Washington Nationals. It was the first time the Marlins swept a series on the road this season. 

The Marlins were held hitless until Mack hit his first career home run to spark a 7-3 win on Tuesday. Mack told reporters after the game that “it felt great” to reach that big league milestone. 

“I didn’t know that it was gone as soon as I hit it, but I knew I got it pretty good,” Mack said. “I was just running around the bases, kind of blacked out a little bit, but just smiling with joy, so it was a really cool experience.”

His home run wasn’t just the Marlins first hit of the game, but it sparked back-to-back-to-back homers in the fifth inning. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after the game that it was good for the young catcher “to get his first career homer in a big spot like that.”

“I think we’re seeing some signs offensively recently that he’s kind of getting his feet underneath him,” McCullough said. “Joe’s certainly contributed behind the plate, and it’s nice to see him offensively in the last week or so put some better at-bats together.”

Mack struck again on Wednesday when he hit a two-run single to put the Marlins on top in a 4-1 win to complete the sweep. Mack has gone 6-for-23 with a home run and five RBI in his last seven games. 

The Marlins took Mack with the 31st overall pick in the 2021 Draft out of high school in New York. He slashed .217/.324/.303 through his first three pro seasons, but the defensive potential was enough to invite him to the Arizona Fall League in 2022. 

His power bat was awoken in 2024 and was a key part in Triple-A Jacksonville winning the International League and Triple-A National Championship in 2025. Mack totaled 45 homers through the past two years and bashed three bombs early this season before getting his big league call-up. 

“He’s a great player,” Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers said after Wednesday’s game. “I think sometimes when guys come up right away, it can be easy to overanalyze how they’re doing, and they’re just getting their feet under them.“

The Marlins (29-34) finished the longest road trip of the season 4-5 to escape the National League East cellar shortly after being swept by the New York Mets, who are back in last place. The Marlins return home on Friday to take on the Tampa Bay Rays (36-23), who have the highest winning percentage in the American League (.610). 

Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!