Sanoja went 3-for-4 with a home run, five RBI and an additional run scored in Sunday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Phillies
Sanoja picked the perfect time for his first career homer, launching a three-run shot in the eighth inning to give the Marlins a 5-4 advantage. He later tacked on an RBI single in the 10th to extend the team's lead to 7-5. The 22-year-old has played well in a utility role this season, hitting .350 with one home run, six RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base across 44 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Seeing usage as utility man
Rotowire
Sanoja will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Sanoja will be in the lineup for the fourth time in five games, with each of those starts coming at a different position (third base, second base, shortstop and left field). The 22-year-old has produced a .606 OPS through 25 plate appearances and should remain a regular presence in the lineup versus left-handed pitching while also occasionally drawing starts against righties thanks to his ability to play all over the diamond.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: May have won roster spot
Rotowire
Sanoja appears ticketed for the Marlins' Opening Day roster with Jesus Sanchez (side) set to begin the season on the injured list, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.
The 22-year-old made his big-league debut last season and saw action at four different spots (second base, shortstop, center field and left field) during his 15 appearances with the Marlins. Sanoja will have a similar role to begin the 2025 campaign, and he hasn't looked overmatched at the plate this spring either, batting .296 (8-for-27) with a 4:3 BB:K. Should he find his way into consistent playing time, the 5-foot-7 Sanoja isn't going to supply any power, but he might be a fantasy contributor in stolen bases -- he went 17-for-24 on the basepaths between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, and he swiped 31 bags in 102 games at Single-A Jupiter the season before.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Competing for super-utility role
Rotowire
Manager Clayton McCullough said Sunday that Sanoja is likely to see playing time at every position in the field except first base and catcher during spring training, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
The 22-year-old made his big-league debut in September and had a .229/.250/.286 slash line in his first 15 MLB games, and he's now attempting to earn a spot on Miami's Opening Day roster. Sanoja isn't likely to receive regular playing time even if he secures a roster spot, but the defensive versatility could allow him to carve out a larger role.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Returns to bench role
Rotowire
Sanoja is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.
After getting called up from Triple-A Jacksonville on Sept. 7, Sanoja proceeded to start in seven of the Marlins' ensuing nine games, seeing time in left field, center field and both middle-infield spots during that stretch. However, with Xavier Edwards stepping back in as the Marlins' everyday shortstop and with Miami facing right-handers on consecutive days, Sanoja has found himself back on the bench for both contests. The rookie looks set to operate as a short-side platoon player for the duration of the season.
... See More... See Less
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Impressing at Triple-A
Rotowire
Sanoja holds a .316/.375/.447 slash line through 53 games with Triple-A Jacksonville this season with an eye-popping 22:11 BB:K.
The 21-year-old led the Marlins' organization with 156 hits in 2023 between Single-A and High-A, and after beginning the current campaign with Double-A Pensacola, he got bumped up to Triple-A after only 15 contests. The diminutive Sanoja draws Jose Altuve comparisons given his 5-foot-9, 150-pound frame, and while he can't be projected to hit for that kind of power in the majors, he did steal 37 bags last year, albeit in 59 attempts. His hit tool and plate discipline could at least allow him to emerge as a utility infielder for the Marlins.
