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After a slow start to the 2026 MLB season, Kyle Stowers' form is at its peak just in time.
Stowers hit a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners, his 12th of the season. It came after making a pair of standout defensive plays at first base.
However, his impact on the Miami Marlins is no longer limited to the batter's box. Manager Clayton McCullough says the outfielder-turned-first baseman has given the club unexpected value at a new position. According to him, Stowers has rediscovered the offensive form that made him an All-Star last season.
"He's really acclimated himself very well over there," he said. "Some of the plays he's made are not the easiest. It's been a great thing for our team."
The transition has come with little preparation. Stowers spent most of last season in left field, where he finished as a National League Gold Glove finalist. Injuries and roster changes forced Miami to use him at first base more regularly, and McCullough said the 27-year-old embraced the challenge despite receiving limited work there during spring training.
"I appreciate Kyle for his willingness to kind of pick this up on the fly a little bit," McCullough said. "We didn't get a lot of chances in spring training to really rep this out, but as the season's gone along and our circumstances have changed, him being able to go over there and play the way he has has opened up a lot of opportunity for other guys."
Stowers showed that growth immediately against Seattle. In the first inning, he handled a difficult throw from shortstop Otto Lopez on a sharply hit ground ball before taking away a base hit from Josh Naylor later in the frame.
His defense was followed by more offense. Stowers jumped on George Kirby's first-pitch breaking ball in the second inning and drove it to straightaway center for the game's first run.
The home run continued a turnaround that began in June after a difficult start to the season. Stowers missed most of spring training with a hamstring injury and managed just three home runs with a .663 OPS through his first 37 games before finding his rhythm again.
"He's been on one really since June," McCullough said. "He's looked much like the All-Star of last year. We were all very confident that it was going to come around, and it's coming at the right time for our team."
The Marlins backed Stowers' performance with another strong effort on the mound. Tyler Phillips threw five scoreless innings before the bullpen completed Miami's eighth shutout of the season.
The victory improved the Marlins to 51-42 and moved them into the second National League Wild Card spot after the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Cincinnati Reds. Miami will try to complete a three-game sweep of Seattle on Thursday with Janson Junk returning from the injured list to start the series finale.
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Stowers hit a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners, his 12th of the season. It came after making a pair of standout defensive plays at first base.
However, his impact on the Miami Marlins is no longer limited to the batter's box. Manager Clayton McCullough says the outfielder-turned-first baseman has given the club unexpected value at a new position. According to him, Stowers has rediscovered the offensive form that made him an All-Star last season.
"He's really acclimated himself very well over there," he said. "Some of the plays he's made are not the easiest. It's been a great thing for our team."
The transition has come with little preparation. Stowers spent most of last season in left field, where he finished as a National League Gold Glove finalist. Injuries and roster changes forced Miami to use him at first base more regularly, and McCullough said the 27-year-old embraced the challenge despite receiving limited work there during spring training.
"I appreciate Kyle for his willingness to kind of pick this up on the fly a little bit," McCullough said. "We didn't get a lot of chances in spring training to really rep this out, but as the season's gone along and our circumstances have changed, him being able to go over there and play the way he has has opened up a lot of opportunity for other guys."
Stowers showed that growth immediately against Seattle. In the first inning, he handled a difficult throw from shortstop Otto Lopez on a sharply hit ground ball before taking away a base hit from Josh Naylor later in the frame.
His defense was followed by more offense. Stowers jumped on George Kirby's first-pitch breaking ball in the second inning and drove it to straightaway center for the game's first run.
The home run continued a turnaround that began in June after a difficult start to the season. Stowers missed most of spring training with a hamstring injury and managed just three home runs with a .663 OPS through his first 37 games before finding his rhythm again.
"He's been on one really since June," McCullough said. "He's looked much like the All-Star of last year. We were all very confident that it was going to come around, and it's coming at the right time for our team."
The Marlins backed Stowers' performance with another strong effort on the mound. Tyler Phillips threw five scoreless innings before the bullpen completed Miami's eighth shutout of the season.
The victory improved the Marlins to 51-42 and moved them into the second National League Wild Card spot after the Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Cincinnati Reds. Miami will try to complete a three-game sweep of Seattle on Thursday with Janson Junk returning from the injured list to start the series finale.
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Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
