3 reasons the Miami Marlins are the surprise of the 2023 season

The Miami Marlins are now 10 games over .500, but they’ve done it in the most unconventional way.

For the first time since 2011, when they were still named the Florida Marlins, the Miami Marlins are 10 games over .500, standing at 42-32.

But none of it really makes sense.

Not only does the team have a -15 run differential, but their reigning CY Young winner Sandy Alcantara has immensely struggled with a 2-5 record and 4.97 ERA. To make matters worse, their offense has been stagnant at times, scoring the 7th least runs in the MLB.

How then is it even possible that the Marlins are 10 games above .500?

3 reasons why the Miami Marlins are surprisingly off to a hot start

1. January 20, 2023.

Back in January the Marlins traded pitcher Pablo Lopez and some prospects to the Twins for former AL batting champion, Luis Arraez. It’s now June 21 and it’s fair to say this trade paid off. Arraez has gotten off to a dominant start batting .398 with an OPS of .934.

He’s even put himself in rare company.

2. Jorge Soler is back to 2019 form

In 2019, Jorge Soler had a breakout year with 48 home runs and 117 RBIs. However, throughout the next three years he struggled to remain healthy and coincidentally hit a total of 48 homers.

Through 74 games this season not only has Soler remained healthy, but he’s hit 21 home runs with a .912 OPS.

3.  The Rise of Eury Pérez

Sure, he’s a 20-year-old rookie, but Eury Perez does not play like it. With his four-seam fastball that can reach upwards of 100 MPH and a tight slider, Perez is the solution to a rotation that has been struggling all year.

How legit is Pérez?

Just look at this mind-boggling stat.

Yes, the rise of the Marlins has been unconventional but these three players might just propel them to their continued success.