41. Luis Arraez

We are very aware that Luis Arraez has only been with Miami for one year, but as we have said before:

The Marlins have not been around long.

They don’t keep good players when it is time for them to get paid.

Luis Arráez arrived in Miami in early 2023 with a specialized task: prove that his American League batting title wasn't a product of the Twin Cities climate. Acquired in a high-leverage swap for Pablo López, Arráez operated with a bat-to-ball precision that hasn't been seen in South Florida since the days of Luis Castillo.

Arráez spent much of the summer flirting with a .400 batting average, a chase that electrified the local fanbase and put the Fish in the national spotlight. While he finalized the season at a still-staggering .354, he secured the National League Batting Title, making him the first player in modern history to win back-to-back batting crowns in different leagues. He showcased a total command of the strike zone, recording 203 hits and finishing eighth in the MVP voting while guiding Miami to a surprise postseason appearance.

Beyond the raw average, Arráez reached a unique plateau of contact consistency. He recorded only 34 strikeouts in 617 plate appearances, a foundational asset that stabilized the top of the Marlins' order and earned him his second Silver Slugger. Even with a modest total of 10 home runs, he maintained an impressive .861 OPS, proving that elite bat control could generate high-end offensive value without relying on the long ball.

Arraez would win another Batting Title in 2024, but most of that was as a San Diego Padre, as he was traded early in the season.

It was a brief stay, but it was a good one!