With spring training now in its final days, the Marlins have clarity on one issue, with a decision looming on another.
Per a source, Christopher Morel is expected to open the season as the team’s primary starting first baseman, barring a dramatic change of heart by the team.
But a decision now looms on the team’s fifth rotation spot. The Marlins are building up Janson Junk as a starter and will give him another start this week. So this is now a battle between Junk and Braxton Garrett for the No. 5 spot. Garrett (6.75 ERA this spring) is trying to round into form after December 2024 elbow surgery.
Junk, who missed the first three weeks of games with an ankle injury, allowed four earned runs and four hits and two walks in two-plus innings over the weekend. He’s very likely to make the team, as a starter or long reliever, because he’s out of minor league options (unlike Garrett) and because he has something of a long leash after his good work last season (4.17 ERA in 21 games and 16 starts).
Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Chris Paddack and Max Meyer are at the top of rotation.
As for first base, Miami entered camp hoping that Morel would seize the job after two poor seasons at the plate, including a .208 average in 154 games for Tampa in 2024 and 2025.
But this spring, Morel is hitting just .147, with five hits in 34 at-bats, and just one extra base hit (a triple). He has a .211 on base average, with three walks and 12 strikeouts.
The Marlins don’t seem deterred, but he is going to need to hit at some point in the first month or so to keep the job.
Keep this mind: Over the first two months of last season, the Marlins gave Matt Mervis 42 games as their primary first baseman, and he hit with power for a time (seven homers) before a prolonged slump that ended with Miami designating him for assignment on May 30 with his average at .175.
If Morel can recapture his 2023 effectiveness (.247, 26 homers, 70 RBI for the Cubs), he will keep the job all season. If he cannot, Miami will need to look elsewhere.
“I think it will sort itself out,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said of first base. “Chris will get [a] regular opportunity over there. Liam you’ll see. I feel good with Griff and what he’s shown. I believe Connor is going to be able to do it. We’ll see. Graham Pauley has experience playing there. It will be a position early in the year that will be more fluid.”
Outfielder Griffin Conine has fared well defensively at first base in a few games at that position this spring.
“Griff has handled himself very well [defensively at first],” McCullough said. “Griff has the least infield experience of the bunch. [But he] definitely has become a very viable option” at the position.
Catcher Liam Hicks likely will continue to get time at first base; he started 28 games there last season, compared with 62 at catcher.
Third baseman Connor Norby got a start at first in recent days and has emerged as an occasional option there, though likely not as an everyday player.
“He’s been getting regular reps and doing team fundamentals at first,” McCullough said. “Now is the time in the back half of spring to give him an opportunity at first. We want to try to create as many options for individual players to get them in the lineup and within games, have the ability to move pieces around. You also will see Connor in the outfield before camp ends.”
McCullough said Pauley – who has been playing only as a designated hitter the past two weeks because of a forearm injury – likely will play in the field for a couple of games before the Marlins wrap up their spring schedule on Sunday.
Pauley and Norby remain in competition for the third base job.
Asked if he would like to use Norby at one position or have him bounce around this season, McCullough said: “If Norby’s hitting, I would like to have as many options as available and maneuverability to get what I think is the best starting nine out there. Connor wants to play. Connor wants to establish himself as a regular major league player whatever glove he has on.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2026 at 1:28 PM.
Miami Herald
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.