MLB Top 5: Miami Marlins Pitchers

This is the fifth and final article in a series that looks at the five best players at each position for the Miami Marlins. In this installment are right- and left-handed starting pitchers as well as relievers.

The Florida/Miami Marlins franchise has had its fair share of quality hurlers in its 31 years of existence and kept the team in most of its games despite offensive struggles. The best of them pitched during the team’s two championship seasons, although most did not stay in South Florida very long after winning a title. The Marlins’ top closers came from the early years of the franchise.

The Best Pitchers in Miami Marlins History

Right-Handed Starters

Honorable Mentions – Pat Rapp was started for the Marlins during their first five seasons (1993-97), amassing a 37-43 record. His best season was 1995, when he set career bests with a 14-7 record and a 3.44 earned run average. The following year, he led the league with 16 losses. Overall, Rapp is tied for fourth in shutouts (four), tied for seventh in complete games (seven), ninth in ERA (4.18), tenth in games started (115) and innings (665 2/3). He was traded to the Giants in 1997 and played with four other teams before retiring with the Angels in 2001.

Alex Fernandez won at least 15 games twice with the White Sox before signing with the Marlins as a free agent. He went 17-12 with a 3.59 earned run average and 183 strikeouts in 1997. However, he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff during the postseason and was never the same. Fernandez missed all the 1998 season and went 28-24 overall in 64 starts with Florida (1997-2000). The injury required two surgeries and forced him to retire in 2000.

Brad Penny reached double figures in victories twice in five seasons with Florida (2000-04 and ’14). He went 3-1 in the 2003 postseason, with two victories against the Yankees in the World Series, helping the Marlins win their second title. Penny ranks fourth in franchise history in wins (50-43), fifth in games started (134), sixth in innings (807 2/3), eighth in ERA (4.12) and tied for tenth in shutouts (two). He was traded to the Dodgers and was selected to his only two All-Star teams after posting 16-win seasons. Penny also played with the Red Sox, Giants, Cardinals, and Tigers before retiring to the Marlins for his final season in 2016.

Carl Pavano came to the Marlins from the Expos in the 2002 trade that sent Cliff Floyd to Montreal. He helped Florida with the World Series the following year, going 2-0 in seven postseason appearances. Pavano earned his only All-Star selection in 2004, when he went 18-8 with a 3.00 earned run average in 31 starts. The win total is the second-highest single-season mark in team history. Pavano spent time with the Yankees, Indians, and Twins and retired in 2014 after a 14-year career.

Tom Koehler was a good back-of-the-rotation starter during his six seasons with the Marlins (2012-17). He went 36-53 with a 4.43 earned run average and 586 strikeouts in 767 1/3 innings. Koehler also won a fielding title in 2014. He was traded to the Blue Jays and had brief stints with the Dodgers and Pirates before retiring in 2020.

Henderson Alvarez gave Marlins fans a treat on the final day of the 2013 season. He allowed just three baserunners and completed the fifth no-hitter in team history when Miami scored the only run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning. Alvarez had his best season in 2014, earning his only All-Star selection after going 12-7 with a 2.65 earned run average and a league-leading three shutouts.

Alvarez signed with the Athletics in 2015 but made limited outings in the minor leagues due to a shoulder issue that eventually required surgery. He had a three-game stint with the Phillies in 2017 but has played mostly in Mexico since leaving the Marlins. Alvarez was traded to the Saraperos de Saltillo club in November.

Pablo Lopez spent his first five seasons with Miami (2018-22), amassing a 28-31 record, a 3.94 earned run average (seventh in franchise history) and 489 strikeouts in 510 innings. His best season with the Marlins was his last, which included a 10-10 record and 174 strikeouts in 180 innings. Lopez was sent to the Twins for Luis Arraez and made his first All-Star team after going 11-8 while striking out a career-high 234 batters.

Ryan Dempster was a Canadian-born hurler who earned an All-Star selection after going 14-10 with a 3.66 earned run average and 209 strikeouts (second-most in team history) in 2000. He ranks seventh in wins (42-43) and strikeouts (628), tied for seventh in complete games (seven), ninth in games started (121) and innings (759 2/3) and tied for tenth in shutouts (two). Dempster earned one more All-Star nod after going a career-best 17-6 with the Cubs in 2008, and he won his only championship with the Red Sox in 2013.

Anibal Sanchez was traded to the Marlins in the 2005 deal with the Red Sox that also included Hanley Ramirez, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell. Sanchez spent seven seasons in South Florida (2006-12), going 10-3 as a rookie and throwing a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks in early September. He went 13-12 in 2010 and struck out 202 batters the following year.

Sanchez is tied for fourth in franchise history in shutouts (four), fifth in ERA (3.75), sixth in wins (44-45), strikeouts (676), tied for sixth in games started (132), seventh in innings (794 1/3) and tied for ninth in complete games (six). He played with the Tigers, Braves and Nationals, leading the league with a 2.57 ERA with Detroit in 2013 and winning a title with Washington in 2019. After a 16-year career, he retired in May 2023.

The major player going the other way in that Boston-Florida trade was Josh Beckett, who reached double-digit victories once in his five seasons with the Marlins (2001-05), posting a 15-9 mark in his final year. He ranks third in franchise history in ERA (3.46), eighth in strikeouts (607), tied for eighth in wins (41-34) and tied for tenth in shutouts (two). Beckett went 2-2 in six outings during the 2003 playoffs. He earned the World Series MVP Award after shutting out the Yankees in the clinching Game 6.

Following the trade, Beckett hit double-digit wins five times in seven seasons with the Red Sox. He went 20-7 and finished as the Cy Young Award runner-up in 2007. In that postseason, Beckett went 4-0 and helped Boston win its second World Series in four years, earning the ALCS MVP Award in the process. He also spent time with the Dodgers, retiring in 2014 after 14 big-league seasons.

Livan Hernandez spent four seasons in South Florida (1996-99), amassing a 24-24 record with a 4.39 earned run average and 333 strikeouts in 469 2/3 innings. Although his big brother, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, gets more recognition for his career, Livan was just as much of a clutch performer in the playoffs. He was named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series in 1997 after going 2-0 in each series. Hernandez threw 234 1/3 innings in 1998, the third-most in team history, and he is tied for fourth on the franchise list with 11 complete games. He was traded in 1999 and spent time with eight other teams before ending his 17-year career with the Brewers in 2012.

5B. A.J. Burnett – Although he had a losing record during his seven seasons in South Florida (1999-2005), he had several solid years, including three in which he reached double figures in wins. Burnett’s biggest moment was throwing a no-hitter against the Padres in 2001 despite walking nine batters, a record for most free passes issued in a no-no. He led the league with five shutouts in 2002, and he is tied for the overall team record with eight. He also ranks second in complete games (14, including seven in 2002), fourth in ERA (3.73), fifth in wins (49-50), innings (853 2/3) and strikeouts (753) and eighth in games started (131).

Burnett would have been an integral part of the 2003 championship team had he not suffered an injury early in the season that required Tommy John surgery. He also played with the Blue Jays, Yankees, Pirates and Phillies during his 17-year career, winning a title with New York in 2009 and earning an All-Star selection during his final season with Pittsburgh in 2015.

5A. Kevin Brown – Although he spent just two seasons with Florida (1996-97), he was particularly good and would have had Hall of Fame credentials had he gotten some more run support in some of his other stops. Brown’s first season with the Marlins was phenomenal. He was an All-Star and finished second in the Cy Young voting after going 17-11 and leading the league with a 1.89 earned run average (also a team record) and three shutouts. The following year, Brown was again an All-Star, going 16-8 with a 2.69 ERA and 205 strikeouts. He threw a no-hitter against the Giants in June, which would have been a perfect game except for a hit batter with two outs in the eighth inning.

Brown went 33-19 with a 2.30 ERA and 364 strikeouts in 470 1/3 innings. He ranks third in franchise history with five shutouts and is tied for fourth with 11 complete games. In the 1997 playoffs, he went 2-2, but lost both of his starts against Cleveland in the World Series. Brown returned to the Fall Classic the following year after a stellar season with the Padres. He also spent time with the Dodgers and Yankees before retiring in 2005 with a 211-144 record over his 19-year career.

4. Josh Johnson – He was a two-time All-Star who reached double-digit victories three times in eight seasons with the Marlins (2005-12). Johnson got some Rookie of the Year votes after going 12-7 in 2006, and he posted career highs with a 15-5 record and 191 strikeouts three years later. However, his best season was 2010, when he earned his second straight All-Star selection and finished fifth in the Cy Young voting after going 11-6 with 186 strikeouts and a league-leading 2.30 ERA.

Johnson’s potentially stellar 2011 season (1.64 ERA) was derailed by shoulder inflammation, and he never was the same after his return. He is the all-time franchise leader in ERA (3.15), ranks second in strikeouts (832) and third in wins (56-37), games started (144) and innings (916 2/3).

Johnson was sent to the Blue Jays in a 12-player trade late in 2012 but faced arm issues that shortened his next season. He had three Tommy John surgeries, one in 2007 with the Marlins and two more while trying to extend his career with the Padres. He officially retired in 2017.

3. Ricky Nolasco – Although he never made an All-Star team or received votes for any awards, he was a solid starter who produced double-digit victories six times in eight seasons in South Florida (2006-13). His best season was 2008, when he set career bests with a 15-8 record and 212 1/3 innings to go with a 3.52 earned run average and 186 strikeouts. Despite posting an ERA of 5.06 the following year, he went 13-9 with a career-best 195 strikeouts.

Nolasco is the all-time franchise leader in wins (81-72), games started, (197), innings (1.225 2/3) and strikeouts (1,001), and he is tied for fourth in shutouts (four) and sixth in complete games (nine). “Tricky Ricky” was traded to the Dodgers in 2013 for three players who appeared in four games for the Marlins. He went 8-3 down the stretch that season, but Los Angeles fell to St. Louis in the NLCS. Nolasco spent time with the Twins and Angels, with his last major league action coming in 2017.

2. Sandy Alcantara – Although Zac Gallen was among the four players the Cardinals sent to the Marlins in the Marcell Ozuna trade in 2017, Alcantara might just be better (Gallen made just seven starts before he was traded to the Diamondbacks two years later for Jazz Chisholm). Alcantara had respectable numbers and was an All-Star in 2019 despite leading the league with 14 losses. Two years later, he struck out 201 batters, but again got no run support and lost 15 games.

Alcantara put everything together in 2022, setting career highs with a 14-9 record, a 2.28 earned run average (third in team history), 207 strikeouts, and league-leading totals of 228 2/3 innings and six complete games. The performance earned him the Cy Young Award along with a second All-Star selection and a top 10 MVP finish. Alcantara regressed last year (7-12 and a career-worst 4.14 ERA), and his season ended in disaster.

Through his six seasons (2018-present), “Sandman” ranks second in franchise history in ERA (3.31), third in strikeouts (779) and complete games (12), fourth in games started (138) and innings (892 1/3), tied for fourth in shutouts (four) and tied for eighth in wins (41-55). In 2023, he was having an arm issue that was initially diagnosed as a strained flexor in early September. The injury was later found to be a sprained ulnar collateral ligament that would require Tommy John surgery. Alcantara will not pitch in 2024.

1. Jose Fernandez – The Cuban-born flamethrower was one of the most tragic stories in baseball in the 21st century. Fernandez was an All-Star, was named Rookie of the Year and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting after going 12-6 with a 2.19 earned run average (second in team history) and 187 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings during the 2013 season.

He was on his way to another year when he suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which required a full year of recovery after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Fernandez returned in June 2015, going 6-1 and striking out 79 batters in 64 2/3 innings.

“Niño” had a tremendous first full season after his comeback, earning his second All-Star selection after posting a 2.86 ERA, setting a team record with 253 strikeouts and reaching career bests with a 16-8 record and 182 1/3 innings (along with a league-leading 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings).

Early in the morning on September 26, 2016, Fernandez and two others left a bar and started cruising around South Beach in his boat, which was traveling at about 65 mph. The boat hit a rock jetty and overturned, and the three men were found dead at the scene. A toxicology report later showed that Fernandez had been piloting the vessel with cocaine and alcohol in his system.

Fernandez’s career totals included a 2.58 ERA and 471 1/3 innings. He ranks ninth in franchise history with 589 strikeouts and tenth with a 38-17 record. Fernandez was beloved by teammates and fans in South Florida, and the Marlins players all wore his jersey number for their game the following day. The city also held a public memorial and funeral procession, and his ashes were scattered at sea a week later.

Left-Handed Starters

Honorable Mention – Tony Saunders came up through the Marlins’ system, joining the big-league club in 2017. He was a solid back-end starter, going 4-6 with a 4.61 earned run average and 102 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings over 21 starts. Saunders made two starts in the postseason, earning a no-decision against the Braves in the NLCS and getting shelled by the Indians in Game 4 of the World Series. His potential was enough to make him the first overall pick in the 1997 expansion draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

5. Scott Olsen – He was a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter during his four seasons with Florida (2005-08). Olsen’s best season was 2006, when he set career bests with a 12-10 record and 166 strikeouts. He went 31-37 with a 4.63 earned run average and 433 strikeouts in 579 1/3 innings over 101 starts. Olsen was traded to the Nationals after the 2018 season.

4. Chris Hammond – He was traded by the Reds just before the team’s inaugural season and he spent five years with the team (1993-96 and ’98). Hammond’s best season was his first, when he set career highs with 32 starts, 191 innings and an 11-12 record and hit two home runs. His 1994 season was headed down a similar path before suffering a hairline fracture in his fibula.

While the Marlins won the title in 1997, the Red Sox fooled Hammond with a promise of returning to the starting rotation (which only happened on a limited basis). He came back to Florida the following year and made just three starts before retiring to be with his young family. Hammond finished his Marlins career with a 29-32 record, a 4.52 ERA, 332 strikeouts in 520 innings, five complete games and three shutouts. He returned after a two-year hiatus, playing with five teams over five seasons, including a 7-2 record with a 0.95 ERA with the Braves in 2002.

3. Jesus Luzardo – One of just two current Marlins starters on these lists, he was acquired from the Athletics for Starling Marte in 2021. Luzardo stumbled down the stretch after the trade but was having a solid 2022 before his season was derailed by a left forearm strain. He posted his best campaign in 2023, posting a 3.58 earned run average and setting career bests with a 10-10 record, 178 2/3 innings and 208 strikeouts, which is the third-best single season mark in team history. Overall, Luzardo is 18-22 with a 3.99 ERA and 386 strikeouts in 336 1/3 innings.

2. Al Leiter – After starting his career with the Yankees and Blue Jays, he found his stride after signing with the Marlins in 1996. Leiter made his first All-Star team that season after going 16-12 and setting career bests with a 2.93 earned run average, 215 1/3 innings and 200 strikeouts. He also threw Florida’s first no-hitter, an 11-0 victory over fellow expansion team Colorado in May.

Leiter went 11-9 during the team’s 1997 championship season. He made five appearances in the playoffs and had two no-decisions during the World Series, including a six-inning start in Game 7. Leiter proved his clutch pitching after going to the Mets, winning 95 games in seven years and throwing a two-hit shutout in a one-game playoff to get New York to the postseason in 1999 for the first time in more than a decade.

The lefty returned to the Marlins in 2005, struggling to a 3-7 record before ending his 19-year career where it began, with the Yankees. Leiter ended his Florida tenure with a 30-28 record, a 4.07 ERA and 384 strikeouts in 446 2/3 innings. He currently works for MLB Network as a studio analyst and, along with his wife, runs the Leiter’s Landing Foundation, which raises fords for children’s education, health, social and community service issues.

1. Dontrelle Willis – Before he ever played a game, he was part of a five-player trade with the Cubs involving closer Antonio Alfonseca. During his five-year run with the Marlins (2003-07), Willis became one of the most popular players on the team, especially with younger fans. He also used a unique pitching delivery, complete with high leg kick, to throw off opposing hitters. The tactic worked, as he won at least 10 games in every season with Florida.

Willis earned and All-Star selection and was named Rookie of the Year after going 14-6 with a 3.30 earned run average, 142 strikeouts in 160 2/3 innings and two shutouts in 2003. After a down year (10-11, 4.02), he put together his best season as a professional. Willis earned his second All-Star nod after leading the National League and setting a team best with a 22-10 record. He also led the league with seven complete games and five shutouts (which tied a team record), and he set career highs with a 2.63 ERA, 236 1/3 innings and 170 strikeouts.

“D-Train” is the all-time franchise leader in complete games (15), and he is tied for the top spot in shutouts (eight). He ranks second in wins (68-54), games started (162) and innings (1,022 2/3), fourth in strikeouts (757) and sixth in ERA (3.78). However, Willis had trouble in the playoffs, going 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA in seven appearances during in 2003.

Willis was sent to the Tigers before the 2008 season along with Miguel Cabrera for five players, including Andrew Miller (inconsistent starter before becoming a lights-out reliever), Cameron Maybin (144 games in three seasons during his initial stint with the team) and Burke Badenhop (solid reliever during four seasons with the Marlins). Willis struggled after leaving South Florida, going just 4-15 over the next four years. He last pitched in the big leagues for the Reds in 2011 but bounced around the minors for three years before retiring in early 2015.

Relief Pitchers

Honorable Mentions – Todd Jones played just one season with the Marlins, but in 2005, he had a 2.10 earned run average, 62 strikeouts in 73 innings and 40 saves. He ended his career with the Tigers in 2008, amassing 235 saves in 480 games over 16 seasons.

Mike Dunn was acquired from the Braves in the trade for Dan Uggla, and he became a popular lefty setup man during his six seasons in South Florida (2011-16). He was durable, appearing in 70 or more games four times with the Marlins, and he is the all-time franchise leader with 405 games pitched. Although he had just four saves, Dunn, went 26-25 with 357 strikeouts in 328 innings. He spent three seasons with the Rockies before retiring in 2019.

Kevin Gregg had two stints with the Marlins (2007-08 and ’14), amassing 61 saves in 158 games. He spent time with five other teams, totaling 177 saves in 13 seasons before retiring in 2015.

Braden Looper was mostly used in a setup role during his five years with the Marlins (1999-2003) after coming over from the Cardinals in the trade for 1997 World Series hero Edgar Renteria. Looper converted to closer late in his run with Florida. He played in a team-record 78 games in 2002 and had 29 saves the following year, the best of his Marlins tenure. Looper signed with the Mets and returned to the Cardinals as a starter before ending his career with the Brewers in 2009.

Juan Carlos Oviedo – He spent most of his career going by the name Leo Nunez before admitting to using fake identification documents in 2011. Following a solid stint as a setup man for the Royals, Oviedo became a closer with the Marlins, going 9-13 with a 3.86 earned run average, 186 strikeouts in 198 innings and 92 saves, which is tied for fourth in franchise history. While dealing with the fallout from the name and birthdate controversy, Oviedo sprained his ulnar collateral ligament in a rehab game and missed a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He spent one year with the Rays in 2014 and retired after a failed tryout with the Rangers the following season.

Armando Benitez – Although he is best known for his time with the Mets during their playoff years in the late 20th century (and also giving up Derek Jeter‘s “home run” that was aided by young fan, Jeffrey Maier), he holds a distinction in franchise history. After signing in 2004, Benitez was nearly unhittable, making the All-Star team going 2-2 with a 1.29 earned run average, 62 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings and notching 47 saves, which was a career-high, led the National League and set a franchise record. After the season, he signed with the Giants and was traded back in 2007 but struggled. Benitez played in Toronto the following year and ended his 15-year career with 289 saves.

5. Steve Cishek – He was a fifth-round draft pick who reached the majors in 2010. Cishek started in a setup role before his high strikeout potential earned him a move to closer. He led the league with 62 games finished and posted a 2.33 earned run average in 2013. The following year, he set a career-high with 39 saves and struck out 84 batters in 65 1/3 innings (for an 11.6 rate per nine innings).

Cishek finished his six-year Marlins run (2010-15) with a 17-20 record, a 2.86 ERA, 312 strikeouts in 289 2/3 innings and 94 saves, which ranks third in team history. He was sent to the Cardinals at the trade deadline and played for seven teams over his final seven seasons before retiring following the 2022 season.

4. AJ Ramos – He was Cishek’s setup man for three seasons before taking over once he was traded. Ramos had four seasons with at least 20 saves and his best year was 2016, when he made his only All-Star team after posting a 2.81 earned run average, 73 strikeouts in 64 innings and a career-high 40 saves.

In six seasons with Miami (2012-17), Ramos went 15-16 with a 2.78 ERA, 379 strikeouts in 327 1/3 innings and 92 saves, which is tied with Oviedo for fourth on the franchise list. He was traded to the Mets and missed the entire 2019 season with shoulder issues. Ramos played with the Rockies and Angels after his return and announced his retirement in 2022. He works with the Up2Us Sports organization, which helps with support and development of underserved youth.

3. Bryan Harvey – Two years removed from a 46-save season with the Angels, he was left unprotected and selected by the Marlins in the expansion draft. Harvey was one of the bright spots on the first-year squad, posting a 1.70 earned run average, 73 strikeouts in 69 innings and 45 saves, a total that is tied for second in team history. His performance earned him his second All-Star selection, as well as some votes for the Cy Young and MVP awards.

After that stellar season, Harvey dealt with a groin injury and a torn forearm muscle during the next two years with Florida that shortened his career and caused his early retirement in 1996. He had a 2.50 ERA and 51 saves, with ranks seventh in franchise history. His son, Hunter, is following in his footsteps as a reliever who just finished his fifth big-league season and had 10 saves with the Nationals in 2023.

2. Antonio Alfonseca – He was born with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, a condition known as polydactyly, and on which his grandfather also had. This trait gave Alfonseca his nicknames, “Six-Finger” or “El Pulpo” (“The Octopus”). He was acquired by the Marlins from the Expos in the 1993 minor league draft.

Alfonseca used his fastball effectively throughout his six seasons in South Florida (1997-2001 and ’05) beginning as a hard-throwing setup man during the team’s first championship season. He pitched three scoreless outings during the 1997 World Series and took over as closer late the following year.

“El Pulpo” topped the 20-save mark in each of the next three seasons. In 2000, he had a 4.24 earned run average but earned 45 saves, a total that led the league and is tied for second in team history. He was traded to the Cubs in the deal the brought Dontrelle Willis to the Marlins and came back to Florida three years later.

Alfonseca went 19-25 with a 3.86 ERA and 214 strikeouts in 333 innings. He ranks second in franchise history with 102 saves and fourth with 307 games pitched. After his second stint with the Marlins, the spent one year each with the Ranges and Phillies. His big-league career ended in 2007, but he played with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League from 2009-11.

1. Robb Nen – He was traded from the Giants during the 1993 expansion season and became the Marlins’ closer the following year. The hard thrower used an upper 90s fastball and a slider nicknamed “The Terminator” to average more than a strikeout per inning with Florida and record 35 saves in back-to-back years.

In five seasons with the Marlins, Nen went 20-16 with a 3.41 earned run average and 328 strikeouts in 314 innings. He is the all-time franchise leader with 108 saves and ranks sixth in games pitched with 269. In the 1997 playoffs, Nen went 1-0 with four saves in eight appearances and had two saves during the World Series victory over the Indians.

Florida traded Nen to San Francisco right after the title season and he got even better, averaging 41 saves a year during his five seasons with the Giants and leading the league with 45 in 2001. He earned three All-Star selections and had seven saves in 10 appearances during the 2002 playoffs, helping San Francisco reach the World Series.

Unfortunately, arm troubles brought Nen’s major league road to an end. He spent two years trying to rehab and recover from three surgeries for a torn rotator cuff but never pitched again and retired in 2005. He worked as an instructor and front office advisor with the Giants after his playing career ended.

The next team to be featured will be the Milwaukee Brewers.