Imagine a team that's been struggling to make waves in the competitive NL East for the last five years, yet they're buzzing with excitement about their lineup for the upcoming season. That's the Miami Marlins right now, and the spotlight is shining bright on a potential game-changer at first base: Connor Norby. But here's where it gets controversial—shifting a player who's primarily known for third base could either spark a revolution or expose some risky weaknesses. Let's dive into why Norby might just be the answer to Miami's long-standing production puzzle at the corners.
The Marlins' outfield is already looking solid after some standout performances. Take Kyle Stowers, for instance—he had a breakout year, showcasing power and consistency that fans couldn't ignore. Then there's Jakob Marsee, who dazzled in his debut stint in the majors, helping to shore up the group's depth. Behind the plate, Agustin Ramirez wasn't just reliable; he finished a strong sixth in the NL Rookie of the Year race, bringing a hefty bat to catcher and designated hitter roles. And don't forget the middle infield duo of Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez—they've built a reputation for making consistent contact, turning singles into rallies with their high-on-base skills.
Yet, when it comes to the corner positions, especially first base, the team has faced tougher challenges. Production there has been spotty, and that's no secret. But according to insights from Kevin Barral and Isaac Azout over at Fish on First, a fresh name has emerged as a contender: Connor Norby. A reliable source tipped them off that Norby could step in and handle time at first base going forward. This versatile infielder has spent most of his big-league career at third base, with a few stints at second, but his minor-league days with the Baltimore Orioles saw him testing the waters in left and right field—though he hasn't ventured into the outfield at the major-league level.
To put it in perspective for newcomers to baseball stats, first base has been a revolving door for Miami in recent years. In the 2025 season, seven different players cycled through the position, and as a group, they posted a combined .663 OPS—a metric that combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage. For context, OPS measures a hitter's ability to get on base and hit for power; a higher number is generally better, and this figure ranked dead last in the league, 27th overall. Eric Wagaman led the pack with 392 plate appearances, but his 85 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus, which adjusts for ballpark and era to show how much a player contributes offensively compared to average) left a lot to be desired. Troy Johnston stood out as the most productive Marlin at first, boasting a .972 OPS in just 42 plate appearances. Unfortunately, he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies just last month, leaving a gap.
And this is the part most people miss—the current frontrunners at first base are Wagaman and Graham Pauley, with Liam Hicks possibly stepping in when he's not behind the plate. Hicks is primarily a catcher, so his versatility adds an interesting layer to the mix.
Looking ahead to 2026, Norby seems poised as the top choice for third base, where he started 77 games last season. However, his defensive struggles there might push him to make a switch. At 25 years old, he earned grades of -5 Defensive Runs Saved (a stat showing how many runs a player saved or cost with their glove) and -4 Outs Above Average (measuring fielding efficiency beyond just errors) at the hot corner in 2025. In 2024, his OAA dipped to -6 across second and third base. Reports from Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald suggested Norby would compete with Pauley for the third base job if no free-agent signings happened. Pauley, on the other hand, graded far better defensively with +3 DRS and +6 OAA.
Offensively, Norby showed promise when he joined the Marlins midseason in 2024 via a trade from the Orioles. In 36 games, he hit .247/.315/.445, with seven home runs and three stolen bases. Sure, his 32.1% strikeout rate was high, but his production at the plate outweighed those fielding hiccups for many fans.
The 2025 season, though, painted a different picture. While he lowered his strikeout rate to 26.7%, Norby's power numbers took a hit. His isolated slugging (ISO, which isolates extra-base hits from singles) dropped to just .138, and his slugging percentage fell by 56 points. He managed only eight home runs in 88 games, compared to nine in 45 games the year before. Injuries might have played a role—he sat out the season's start with an oblique strain, battled a wrist problem in July, and landed on the injured list with a quad issue in September. These setbacks could explain the dip, but it's a reminder of how fragile even the best players can be.
The trade that brought Norby to Miami (along with Trevor Rogers) has already paid dividends thanks to Stowers' breakout, and Rogers' own strong comeback. But if Norby can regain his form, especially at a new position, it could turn that deal into a steal. Miami might also consider bolstering first base via free agency, steering clear of the pricier options but eyeing affordable veterans like a potential reunion with Josh Bell or Donovan Solano—guys who bring reliability without breaking the bank.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr, Imagn Images
What do you think—should the Marlins risk moving Norby to first base, or is sticking with familiar faces like Pauley a safer bet? Is prioritizing offense over defense the right move in today's game, or are we undervaluing fielding skills? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a wild counterpoint!
