Connor Norby -- Performance Analysis

Connor Norby enters 2026 facing an uphill battle to retain his roster spot after injuries derailed his 2025 season. Three separate stints on the injured list—including a left oblique strain during Spring Training, hamate bone surgery, and a left quad strain—limited the 25-year-old third baseman to just 88 games with a .689 OPS, well below expectations after his 2024 introduction to the organization. Manager Clayton McCullough acknowledged that the team has yet to see the best version of Norby and believes he can perform better when healthy.

Norby showed signs of progress late in the season, posting a .275/.315/.471 line with 4 doubles and 2 home runs over 14 September games after spending much of the year searching for consistency at the plate. The 25-year-old is approaching his offseason recovery with intensity, beginning training in early November—earlier than usual—and working daily with hitting coach Pedro Guerrero via text and video calls with new assistant coaches. He is dedicating significant time to mechanical adjustments, taking only Sundays off to watch his Minnesota Vikings.

Norby's primary focus this offseason involves increasing rotational speed to allow more time for swing decisions and cleaning up his bat path, while maintaining his toe tap and overall swing mechanics. The Marlins, dealing with an inexperienced roster, view the corner infield positions as areas needing improvement after their third basemen (.672 OPS, 19th in MLB) and first basemen (.663 OPS, fourth worst in MLB) underperformed in 2025. Despite the setbacks, Norby expressed confidence in his current trajectory, stating he feels 'in a really good spot right now' with roughly two months remaining before Spring Training.

Connor Norby's 2025 season with the Miami Marlins was derailed by injuries. The 25-year-old third baseman appeared in only 88 games after suffering three separate stints on the injured list: an oblique strain, wrist inflammation, and a left quad strain. His offensive output suffered accordingly, posting a .251 batting average with a .689 OPS. Norby acknowledged the frustration of missing games and feeling disconnected from his teammates and fans, but stated he plans to use the experience as motivation heading into 2026.

Acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline alongside outfielder Kyle Stowers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers, Norby was expected to establish himself as an MLB regular in 2025. Despite the disappointing season, he expressed confidence in his abilities when healthy, noting that "when I am healthy, I know how good I can be."

Heading into spring training 2026, the Marlins appear committed to getting Norby on the field. Beyond his typical third base reps, he will receive trials at first base and outfield positions to increase his versatility. Norby and Graham Pauley are the primary contenders for the third base position, though Pauley is currently recovering from a right elbow injury with no structural UCL damage and an expected two-week recovery timeline.

Connor Norby delivered a standout offensive performance with a triple and homer Tuesday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, though the Marlins fell 5-4 in a walk-off loss. In the fifth inning with the score tied 1-1, Norby led off with a triple into the right-field corner, reaching third base in 12.06 seconds and scoring on Sanoja's subsequent groundout to give Miami a 2-1 lead. With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh, he hit a solo homer off Julian Merryweather's four-seamer for a projected 400 feet with 104.5 mph exit velocity.

Norby has extended his hitting streak to eight games, batting .357 (10-for-28) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. His recent success stems from implementing a simplified approach developed with hitting coach Pedro Guerrero and assistant GM Gabe Kapler, focused on swinging at good pitches. "When I swing at good pitches, I do good things," Norby explained. "It helps dumb it down, because I can overthink a lot of times."

Norby expressed greater satisfaction with the triple than the homer, noting he has been working to hit fastballs back the opposite way rather than pull the ball. Both of his home runs this season have gone to the pull side, a departure from his rookie 2024 season when only 4 of his 9 long balls went that direction. Jesus Tinoco's inability to hold the lead in the ninth, surrendering three runs, resulted in the Marlins' defeat.