J.T. Realmuto was a third-round selection by the Marlins in 2010, an athletic former quarterback who transitioned from shortstop to catcher with surprising speed. After a brief 11-game look in 2014, he seized the starting job behind the plate in 2015.
The early days of his run were marked by a steep learning curve and a fierce commitment to defense. While his rookie season saw an on-base percentage stay under .300, Realmuto immediately turned heads with his pop time and mobility. He found his rhythm in 2016, posting a .303 average and proving that his athleticism was a massive asset on both sides of the ball.
Realmuto reached a career peak in Miami during 2018, a year in which he secured all major positional awards. He hit 21 home runs, was selected for his first All-Star game, and received a Silver Slugger. By that time, he had built a reputation as a versatile player who could hit for average, hit for power, and suppress the opposing team's running game. His 2018 season remains one of the best seasons ever by a catcher in team history, confirming the scouts’ belief that he was a future superstar during his minor league days.
The exit from Miami arrived in February 2019, as the Marlins moved their biggest remaining star to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for a package that included Sixto Sanchez and Jorge Alfaro. With the Marlins, Realmuto had 555 hits, 59 home runs, and a .279 batting average.