Marlins’ Kyle Stowers Credits A Relaxed Attitude For Breakout Season

Miami Marlins’ Kyle Stowers watches his ball as he singles in the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Kyle Stowers’ breakout season might be over, and that would be too bad for the Miami Marlins’ left fielder.

Stowers was placed on the injured list over the weekend with a strain in his left side, a tough break for the surprising Marlins. Stowers was the National League Player of the Month in July, winning the award two weeks after making his first All-Star Game appearance.

Side injuries often take at least a month to heal. Considering just five weeks are remaining in the season, Stowers may not play again this year.

Kyle Stowers Emerges As Marlins’ Building Block

Stowers, though, has already proven this season that he could be a building block for a young team. The 27-year-old is hitting .288/.368/.544 with 25 home runs in 117 games.

Stowers has made a big impression on first-year Marlins manager Clayton McCullough.

“The first thing I think of with Kyle is not only that he is very talented, but he has really solid leadership qualities,” McCullough said. “He’s highly regarded in the clubhouse, and he also impresses with what he’s been able to do on the field and the adjustments he has been able to make this year.

“It’s also a testament to him on how he approaches each day and understands what it takes to get better in all facets of the game. He shows gumption and toughness, and he’s talented, and that’s a great combination to have.”

The Marlins acquired Stowers and infielder Connor Norby from the Baltimore Orioles at last season’s trade deadline for left-hander Trevor Rogers.

Kyle Stowers Struggled In First Three MLB Seasons

The Orioles selected Stowers in the second round of the 2019 amateur draft from Stanford. Yet he failed to impress in 67 major-league games over three seasons with the Orioles from 2022-24, hitting .229/.274/.369 with four home runs.

Stowers was even worse in 50 games with the Marlins last season following the trade. He had a slash line of .186/.262/.295 with two homers.

Some in baseball wondered if Stowers was a bust. However, he reported to spring training this year, determined to learn from the tough times of his first three years.

Stowers admittedly put pressure on himself during previous stints in the big league. With the Orioles, he was trying to prove that he should move up a deep outfield depth chart. With the Marlins, he sought to demonstrate that he could be a part of their future.

“I think last year in the second half, getting the chance to get a full long stretch time of playing time in the big leagues was good for me,” Stowers said. “Obviously, I didn’t play my best baseball last year, but I learned a lot and was able to make some adjustments. I feel like I adjusted to how the league was going about attacking me. They’ve adjusted back this year, and it’s about me adjusting to the adjustments.”

Kyle Stowers Learns To Lessen Pressue

This year, Stowers decided to be as prepared as possible for each game and then relax, adopting a ‘whatever happens’ attitude. The mindset has worked.

“I just feel like I’ve learned how to not put pressure on myself,” Stowers said. “I realized that I’m the one person in my life who wouldn’t be OK with me not having the baseball career I should have. I have a multitude of people who love and care about me, regardless of what happens on the baseball field. I just leaned on that, and my faith in God.”

While the side injury may end Stowers’ season, the Marlins feel good about what he can contribute to the future. That future is bright, as Miami has a 59-65 record under McCullough and exceeded preseason expectations from outside the organization. Some analysts thought the Marlins might lose 100 games after firing Skip Schumaker, the NL Manager of the Year in 2023, at the end of last season.

Stowers enjoys having McCullough, who was hired from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ coaching staff, as a mentor.

“(The Dodgers’) Dave Roberts is a great manager and I’m sure Clayton learned a lot from him,” Stowers said. “Clayton’s been amazing, an amazing resource, amazing support, amazing leader. I think he’s handled this team like a true pro. He’s just someone I have just the utmost respect for and can’t be happier to be playing for him.”