First base will feature plenty of power for the Miami Marlins in 2021, as well plenty of first basemen.
Seventeen different players have made an Opening Day start at first base for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins could easily make it eighteen in 2021.
Then again, they might not. Such is the story heading into our fourth Miami Marlins 2021 position preview, as we break down the first base position, and the second of Miami’s two true position battles. Six different players took a turn at first in 2020. Five remain in the organization, and four of those players are locks for the Opening Day roster. Something will need to give.
While it may not the most consequential race- that honor goes to second base– it is certainly the most bizarre. For the following two things are true. One, the Miami Marlins entered the offseason not wanting it to be a contest at all. Secondly, the team would likely prefer neither of the top contenders in 2021 be starting there in 2022.
If nothing else, it’s going to be an interesting season for Jesus Aguilar and Garrett Cooper.
Initially, in the early days of the offseason, there was some speculation that Miami would look to move on from one of that duo. Which made it all the more surprising when both players avoided arbitration, inking deals that were bargains based on their 2020 production, but big raises from their 2020 salary. Clearly, the expectation was that the universal DH would return this season. Fast forward to March, and that expectation seems all but certain to be a pipe dream.
However, next season could be a different story, and this year’s first base contest could be next year’s DH audition.
Why DH and not first base? Because the third best position prospect in Miami’s system, Lewin Diaz, says so. A needed body in the short season, he seems destined to be back in a Marlins uniform by Opening Day 2022. Perhaps even sooner.
But you didn’t come to a 2021 position preview for 2022 problems. Let’s meet our first base contestants, and see what Marlins fans can expect this year.