The Miami Marlins They failed to get in the postseason per second running campaign. Perhaps it is not the most surprising news of all, especially when it is taken into account that 99% of the forecasts warned it.
However, the fish did challenged the projections at the beginning of the year with their performance in the newly completed regular season of the major leagues. Under the command of Clayton McCullough, Miami He came alive at the final stretch of this tournament.
In the end, the inconsistency of the young group of the Marlins took its toll and its 79-83 record was not enough to opt for a ticket to the October party. But the blow on the table was real. As true as Miami ended in the third place of his division, above the Atlanta Braves of Ronald Acuña Jr. and company.
“There is some frustration for not having reached the postseason when it was close, of course,” McCullough admitted in a conversation with Diario Las Américas this week. “But in general, the season was successful. The first objective was to win as many games as possible, not get carried away by external expectations,” he added.
For the mandamás, beyond a global balance that was striking, the success of its first season in command of the team is based on the individual development of its players group.
“Many players had the opportunity to play regularly and offered us a solid season,” recalled the foreman. “We prioritize organizational goals, we develop the players and take steps forward in this first year.”
While McCullough prefers that the qualification to his work leave someone else’s mouth, the native of North Carolina considers that he can leave for the recess between contests on the forehead.
“The most important thing was that we enjoy the good moments, but also those who were not so good,” he explained. “I love our staff, with which we were working for the first time. We presented each other every day with a consistent attitude. I am proud of that.”
Of course, that does not mean that McCullough feels free of pending tasks in the winter.
“Without a doubt there are many areas that I should improve. I think I can improve in terms of communication aspect and several things that can lead to the team to the next level,” said the helmsman.
The collective effort of the Marlins throughout the season was undeniable, as well as the fact that there were pillars that stood out above others.
Kyle Stowers, for example, was the great offensive spark plug of the club, while Edward Cabrera led the body of pitchers.
“Stowers had an explosive season. He was our best offensive player and also grew as a leader inside the team,” McCullough acknowledged. “But Otto López also impressed me, with his ability to play defense and his potential to improve the offensive. Agustín Ramírez surprised me with his hardness, his physical ability. Cabrera did an incredible job and is a great boy. He doesn’t even say Ronny Henríquez,” he added.
On his return from Tommy John surgery, Sandy Alcántara did not have a performance according to his credentials, but McCullough believes that there is also not too many critics with the Dominican either.
“The criticisms he received at the beginning were not fair. Basically, his Spring Training was during the season,” said the leader. “He showed quality, although he lacked command. But I undoubtedly won a lot of respect for him as a competitor. Even when things were not going well, he never complained.”
The manager of the Marlins has the firm belief that things will be even better in 2026. Not only for Alcántara, Stowers and Cabrera, among others, but for the organization in general.
“We believe in ourselves. We have talent and hug this mentality of the non -favorite. We are better than we were,” he said.
It is an improvement that does not go unnoticed by the fans and that hopefully will motivate her to attend Landepot Park more frequently in the next contest.
“We have a passionate fanatic and a stadium that gives us a great advantage of local. But we have to do our part. We must continue to improve, win as many games as possible and I know that the fanatic will respond to that,” he said.
