National League Manager of the Year: Skip Schumaker, Miami Marlins
With a name like Skip Schumaker (his given name is Jared Michael), it seems like he was destined to be a manager someday. Schumaker played 11 seasons in the big leagues and has most recently been the bench coach of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Miami Marlins hired Schumaker to replace Don Mattingly as manager after the former Yankee star was let go at the end of last season.
This bold prediction has to do with two main factors: Schumaker growing up in the Cardinals organization and the team that he is going to be managing. Schumaker not only played most of his career in the wining traditions of St. Louis, but he has also been the bench coach for the past two seasons. Winning is something that the Cardinals do well, and Schumaker has been a part of that culture.
The Marlin team that Skip is taking over, isn’t the same team that struggled to a 69-93 record in 2022. While the pitching staff was, and still is one of the best in the league, the offense ranked toward the bottom of MLB. Only the Oakland A’s (568) and Detroit Tigers (557) scored fewer runs than the Marlins (586) last year.
With the additions of batting champion Luis Arraez and Jean Segura, and hopefully a healthy season from the dynamic Jazz Chisholm, the Marlins should be much improved at the plate. Playing in the NL East is a challenge, but the balanced schedule should help the Marlins this year to get Schumaker an award in his first season at the helm.