Marlins Lean on Emerging Outfielder Kyle Stowers

Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers looks to build on breakout 2025 season with high expectations from team leadership.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:21pm

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Kyle Stowers, the Miami Marlins' emerging outfielder, is entering the 2026 MLB season with high expectations after a breakout 2025 campaign that earned him his first All-Star selection. Marlins owner Bruce Sherman and team president Peter Bendix have expressed "extraordinary expectations" for Stowers, but the 25-year-old says he prefers to focus on the process and controlling what he can control rather than putting pressure on himself. Stowers, who became a father last month, is looking to build on his career-highs in home runs, hits, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage from last season as the Marlins aim to improve on their 79-83 record and challenge for a playoff spot.

Why it matters

Stowers' progression has become an example for the Marlins' clubhouse, as the team looks to build on its 17-win improvement from 2024 to 2025 and challenge for a playoff spot in the competitive NL East. The Marlins' success will hinge on Stowers and other young talents like Jakob Marsee, Otto Lopez, and Xavier Edwards taking another step forward, while the team also made several offseason additions to bolster the roster.

The details

Stowers, a second-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his first two MLB seasons with the Marlins in 2022 and 2023 before breaking out in 2025. He hit .288 with 25 home runs, 115 hits, and a .368 on-base percentage, leading the team with a 3.6 WAR. The Marlins are hoping Stowers can build on that success, even as the team faces higher expectations and less of an element of surprise from opponents.

  • Stowers landed on the injured list in August 2025 due to an oblique ailment and did not play in the Marlins' final 37 games.
  • Stowers is set to make his spring training debut on Saturday, March 18, 2026 when the Marlins host the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • The Marlins will open the 2026 season on March 27, 2026 against the Colorado Rockies.

The players

Kyle Stowers

A 25-year-old outfielder for the Miami Marlins who had a breakout 2025 season, earning his first All-Star selection.

Bruce Sherman

The owner of the Miami Marlins who has expressed "extraordinary expectations" for Kyle Stowers' upcoming 2026 season.

Peter Bendix

The president of the Miami Marlins who, along with owner Bruce Sherman, has cited Stowers' progression as an example for the team's clubhouse.

Clayton McCullough

The first-year manager of the Miami Marlins in 2025 who will be tasked with guiding the team to sustained success in 2026.

Connor Norby

An infielder for the Miami Marlins who praised Stowers' ability to bounce back from early struggles in his career.

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What they’re saying

“I try to have little expectations on myself going into each and every day. I have high belief though. It's a huge honor that those guys believe in me.”

— Kyle Stowers, Marlins Outfielder

“The hardest thing in sports is … now people know we are a good team. We aren't going to be sneaking up on anyone. Now you've got to do it with more eyes on you and a little more expectation. But what it gets back to is the process — controlling what you can control.”

— Kyle Stowers, Marlins Outfielder

“He is a good guy to listen to because when we first got here, he did not have the start he wanted or that we all knew he was capable of. He would be the first to tell you that. Obviously, even in spring training last year, he scuffled and then the season turned on and it was a like a light switch. He was locked in from Day 1.”

— Connor Norby, Marlins Infielder

What’s next

Stowers is set to make his spring training debut on Saturday, March 18, 2026 when the Marlins host the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins will then open the 2026 regular season on March 27, 2026 against the Colorado Rockies.

The takeaway

Kyle Stowers' breakout 2025 season has the Marlins and their fans excited about the team's future, but Stowers is focused on controlling what he can control and continuing to improve rather than putting pressure on himself. If Stowers and other young Marlins talents can build on last year's progress, the team could be poised for a playoff push in 2026.