Through 11 games into the 2022 season, the Miami Marlins are sitting at 4-7. Surprisingly, the team entered play Wednesday with a 109 wRC+, good enough for 12th in the Majors. This, despite giving regular playing time to first baseman/designated hitter Jesús Aguilar.
The Venezuelan’s first two seasons in Miami were somewhat of a career renaissance. In 181 games between 2020-2021, Aguilar hit .265/.336/.458 (113 OPS+). His 30 HR and 127 RBI paced the club during that span.
But now, two weeks into a critical season of the club’s rebuild, manager Don Mattingly has penciled Aguilar’s name into the lineup in all but one game.