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April Fools! 5 biggest Miami Marlins surprise flops

By Sean Millerick

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 28: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Jeremy Hermida #27 of the Florida Marlins (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
Jeremy Hermida #27 of the Florida Marlins (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /

5 Biggest Miami Marlins Surprise Flops

April Fool No. 5: Jeremy Hermida

When the Miami Marlins drafted Jeremy Hermida in 2002, the consensus was they were getting a superstar talent.

In 2005, Baseball Prospectus had him as a Top 40 prospect. In his first major league at-bat, all Hermida did was crush a grand slam. One year later, he was the No. 2 prospect on the MLB Top 100 list, ahead of guys like Justin Verlander and Miami’s own Hanley Ramirez.

Unfortunately, his career never really matched that hype, and certainly not that scintillating first MLB hit.

That being said, he was serviceable in his time in Miami. He actually has the second-highest single-season Marlins WAR on this list by a wide margin, producing a respectable 2.4 in 2007.

In fact, it is that one good season that makes him our first April Fool.

The 2007 season featured plenty of offensive fireworks. Miguel Cabrera put up his usual superstar numbers. Defending NL Rookie of the Year winner Hanley Ramirez proved 2006 was no fluke. Seven of eight Marlins regulars hit at least 15 HRs that season. Starting pitching injuries and a career-worst season from Dontrelle Willis were all that kept this club from serious playoff contention.

Hermida might have been the brightest spot though, as he was the only Marlin to take a massive leap forward. He hit .296 that year, after hitting .251 his first season. He posted career highs in average, HRs, OBP, and OPS. Combine that with his prospect pedigree, and the sky seemed to be the limit heading into 2008.

For the first three games in 2008, that seemed to be just what Marlins fans were going to get. Hermida put up a quick six hits and six RBIs to start the season. His first two homers of the year came in the third game of that stretch, on April 11th.

It would be a month before he hit his third.

After a super streaky April and May, a steady and severe decline followed that third homer. By the All-Star Break, he was batting .255, easily the biggest hole in an elite offense. For a thrilling week leading up to the All-Star Break, it actually seemed like the Marlins might trade him as part of a three-team swap that would bring Manny Ramirez to Miami.

Alas, it was not to be. Hermida would similarly underwhelm fans in 2009, and was traded in the offseason.

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