The Florida Marlins are in the midst of their 17th season of baseball, and have quickly developed a reputation for bringing up great talent from the minor leagues, seeing that talent thrive, and then trading it away for more young talent. A lot of this has to do with the lack of a decent fan base in Florida.
Ironically, this hasn't stopped the Marlins from winning not one, but TWO World Series in their brief history. In fact, the only two times they even made the playoffs, they won the World Series. It's interesting to note that the top 5 SP's in Marlins history, based on my opinion, are no longer on the team. They may be retired, or they may be playing for another team, but they're not on the Marlins. Really, the only requirement in order to qualify as being one of the top five pitchers in Marlins history is that this pitcher must have pitched 400+ innings with the team. So, here they are: the top five pitchers in Florida Marlins history.
5. Carl Pavano - Pavano, believe it or not, was a Florida Marlin during the team's second world series run. While he's played for a few teams since, Pavano made it big in Florida, with a tremendous 2004 campaign. Pavano had an 18-8 win loss record that season, and a low ERA at 3.00. Pavano then joined the Yankees, where he quality of play sank.
4. AJ Burnett - One of the best pitchers in baseball when it comes to striking batters out, Burnett was a strikeout aficionado in Florida too, as evidenced by his 2002 season, which consisted of 203 strikeouts and a low ERA at 3.30. Injuries somewhat limited his potential in Florida, and Burnett lost (50) a slightly higher number of games than he won (49).
3. Kevin Brown - Kevin Brown had two of the best pitching season in Florida Marlins history. While he only spent two short years in a Marlins uniform, any fans of the team will certainly remember how valuable his contributions were to the franchise. Take his first season as a Marlin, for example. A 1.89 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP happen so rarely in baseball that they're usually paired with a Cy Young award. Brown most definitely had a dominant reign as a Marlin during his two short years spent with the team.
2. Josh Beckett - Now a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox and an All-Star a few times over, Beckett is most well known for his heroics as a Marlin during the 2003 World Series against the Yankees. During the 2003 playoffs, Beckett had an incredible 2.11 ERA, and is largely responsible for the Florida World Series win that season. As a Marlin, Beckett averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, fanning 607 batters in 609 innings pitched, and allowing just 529 hits during his time with the team, well below one per inning.
1. Dontrelle Willis - Geez, what's happened to Dontrelle? Ever since he left the Marlins, he's been terrible. But for purposes of this list, he's the #1 pitcher in Florida Marlins history. His longevity (he's made 162 starts, 31 more than the next closest), and his personality have made him a fan favorite down here in Miami. Dontrelle finished his career with the Marlins with a 68-54 record (more wins than anybody in franchise history) and a 3.78 ERA. But Willis will be remembered for his one truly dominant year in which he finished as the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award behind Chris Carpenter. That year, Willis finished 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA. Not to mention, Dontrelle was the best hitting pitcher in franchise history. In fact, there were times when he'd be used as a pinch hitter. Now that's embarrassing. But he finished his career with a .233 BA and 8 HR's.
Keep an eye on...Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson. Johnson has been one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball and is truly dominating, and Nolasco has returned to last year's form. Heck if they each stay one more season, they'd probably knock off Pavano for the #5 spot. - 31492
Ironically, this hasn't stopped the Marlins from winning not one, but TWO World Series in their brief history. In fact, the only two times they even made the playoffs, they won the World Series. It's interesting to note that the top 5 SP's in Marlins history, based on my opinion, are no longer on the team. They may be retired, or they may be playing for another team, but they're not on the Marlins. Really, the only requirement in order to qualify as being one of the top five pitchers in Marlins history is that this pitcher must have pitched 400+ innings with the team. So, here they are: the top five pitchers in Florida Marlins history.
5. Carl Pavano - Pavano, believe it or not, was a Florida Marlin during the team's second world series run. While he's played for a few teams since, Pavano made it big in Florida, with a tremendous 2004 campaign. Pavano had an 18-8 win loss record that season, and a low ERA at 3.00. Pavano then joined the Yankees, where he quality of play sank.
4. AJ Burnett - One of the best pitchers in baseball when it comes to striking batters out, Burnett was a strikeout aficionado in Florida too, as evidenced by his 2002 season, which consisted of 203 strikeouts and a low ERA at 3.30. Injuries somewhat limited his potential in Florida, and Burnett lost (50) a slightly higher number of games than he won (49).
3. Kevin Brown - Kevin Brown had two of the best pitching season in Florida Marlins history. While he only spent two short years in a Marlins uniform, any fans of the team will certainly remember how valuable his contributions were to the franchise. Take his first season as a Marlin, for example. A 1.89 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP happen so rarely in baseball that they're usually paired with a Cy Young award. Brown most definitely had a dominant reign as a Marlin during his two short years spent with the team.
2. Josh Beckett - Now a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox and an All-Star a few times over, Beckett is most well known for his heroics as a Marlin during the 2003 World Series against the Yankees. During the 2003 playoffs, Beckett had an incredible 2.11 ERA, and is largely responsible for the Florida World Series win that season. As a Marlin, Beckett averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, fanning 607 batters in 609 innings pitched, and allowing just 529 hits during his time with the team, well below one per inning.
1. Dontrelle Willis - Geez, what's happened to Dontrelle? Ever since he left the Marlins, he's been terrible. But for purposes of this list, he's the #1 pitcher in Florida Marlins history. His longevity (he's made 162 starts, 31 more than the next closest), and his personality have made him a fan favorite down here in Miami. Dontrelle finished his career with the Marlins with a 68-54 record (more wins than anybody in franchise history) and a 3.78 ERA. But Willis will be remembered for his one truly dominant year in which he finished as the runner-up for the NL Cy Young Award behind Chris Carpenter. That year, Willis finished 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA. Not to mention, Dontrelle was the best hitting pitcher in franchise history. In fact, there were times when he'd be used as a pinch hitter. Now that's embarrassing. But he finished his career with a .233 BA and 8 HR's.
Keep an eye on...Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson. Johnson has been one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball and is truly dominating, and Nolasco has returned to last year's form. Heck if they each stay one more season, they'd probably knock off Pavano for the #5 spot. - 31492
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