Kyle Stowers heads to the 2025 All-Star Game as the Marlins' lone rep after a stellar first half. See how his 19 HRs have fueled Miami's 11-win improvement.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
As the MLB world turns its eyes to Atlanta for the All-Star Game, Miami has its own reason to watch with pride. Outfielder Kyle Stowers isn't just going to the game; he's kicking down the door. Capping a torrid first half with a three-homer, five-hit masterpiece in the final game before the break, Stowers will be the lone Marlin representing the 305 at Truist Park, a testament to a breakout season that has been the team's brightest spot.
The Marlins reached the All-Star break with 44 wins, an 11-win improvement over last season at the same point.
It's impossible to overstate Stowers' value to this club. Through 95 games, he's the undisputed offensive engine, leading the team in nearly every major category: a .293 batting average, 19 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a .368 on-base percentage. For a team that has struggled to find consistent offensive threats, Stowers has been a revelation under manager Clayton McCullough, providing the power and presence needed to keep the Marlins competitive on a nightly basis.
While Stowers gets the individual accolades, the team as a whole has shown significant growth. Sitting at 44-51, the Marlins are a full 11 wins better than they were at this point last year. That progress was fueled by a memorable June that featured an eight-game winning streak and the franchise's first-ever six-game West Coast road sweep. Of course, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. The team is still 10.5 games out of first in the NL East, and key pitchers like Sandy Alcantara and Cal Quantrill have had their share of struggles, contributing to a team ERA of 4.58 (24th in MLB). Still, the fight and flashes of brilliance offer a reason for optimism that has been missing in recent years.
The front office is also looking ahead, using the 2025 MLB Draft to address key needs. With the 198th overall pick, the Marlins selected right-handed pitcher Jake Clemente from the nearby Florida Gators. A redshirt sophomore, Clemente was a dominant closer for the Gators, racking up seven saves with a 3.46 ERA and an impressive 77 strikeouts in just 54 innings. His live arm is a welcome addition to a farm system ranked 16th by MLB, and fans hope he can one day help bolster a big-league pitching staff in need of reliable arms. While Clemente could still return to college, the pick signals a clear strategy to build a sustainable pitching pipeline.
So as we enjoy the All-Star festivities, Marlins fans have a clear narrative. We have a legitimate star in Kyle Stowers, a team that's demonstrably better than last year, and a promising new arm in the system. The question now is whether they can put it all together for a second-half push. The 7.5-game deficit in the Wild Card race is daunting, but this team has already proven it can defy expectations. The break is a time to rest, but come Friday, the real work begins.
