The Miami Marlins have quietly emerged as one of the National League’s top teams this season, holding the second-best record since June 1, trailing only the Milwaukee Brewers. Central to their success is outfielder Kyle Stowers, whose outstanding 2025 performance has gone largely unnoticed in the National League MVP conversation.

Despite Shohei Ohtani being the favorite for the NL MVP on various platforms, Stowers is absent from the top 10 contenders, a surprising omission given his remarkable offensive production this year. This article explores why Kyle Stowers NL MVP recognition should be far greater than it currently is.

Kyle Stowers’ Breakout Season: Statistical Excellence Among League Leaders

As of early August, the 27-year-old Stowers is hitting .296/.373/.575 with 25 home runs and 71 RBIs over 105 games, posting a 158 wRC+ and a 4.0 fWAR. These numbers place him third in wRC+ among all National League players, an elite company that underscores his offensive value. Such metrics reveal a player who has not only increased power output but also improved overall offensive efficiency, standing out within a league full of strong hitters.

Coming into the 2025 season, Stowers had faced uncertainty about making the Opening Day roster. Instead, he earned Just Baseball’s Gold Medal Hitter of the Month for the NL and was named NL Player of the Month for July. This rapid rise from a question mark to one of the league’s most productive hitters demonstrates his significant improvement and impact on his team’s performance.

Comparing Stowers’ Early Career to His 2025 Transformation

Stowers’ first three MLB seasons featured struggles with contact and plate discipline, reflected in a combined .208/.268/.332 slash line, only six home runs, and a 68 wRC+ across 340 plate appearances. His strikeout rate was high at 33.8%, and his walk rate was just 6.2%. Additionally, nearly half of his balls put in play were grounders, with limited hard contact highlighted by only 20 barrels during that span.

In contrast, the improvements in 2025 have been dramatic: his walk rate has increased to 10.1%, and his strikeout rate dropped below 30% to 28.3%. He has already barreled 46 balls with a 52.7% HardHit percentage, nearly doubling his previous three-year rate of 34%. These changes show Stowers evolving into a more disciplined hitter with greater power, a shift that signals his emergence as a major offensive threat.

The Crucial Adjustments Made During the 2024 Offseason

Many of the gains Stowers has made are rooted in specific changes implemented during the 2024 offseason. After a period of inconsistency marked by difficulty making contact and poor swing discipline, Stowers dedicated himself to revamping his entire hitting approach. This offseason was also pivotal for the Marlins organization, which shifted its development philosophy toward emphasizing on-base skills and situational hitting, rather than solely power.

A key innovation was the introduction of a Traject Arc hitting machine to improve swing mechanics and reduce chase rate, both critical issues for Stowers in prior seasons. One striking alteration was in his batting stance: he opened it up significantly, improving his ability to track pitches better as they leave a pitcher’s hand. This adjustment, paired with stepping deeper into the batter’s box, enables him to let the ball travel further and spray hits across the field instead of focusing exclusively on pull-side power.

Stowers also noted an improvement in the feel of his contact, comparing past years where solid contact didn’t translate into distance, to this year’s higher exit velocities. After increasing his weight and strength, his average exit velocity rose modestly, but his max exit velocity soared to 113.7 mph, and his barrel percentage nearly doubled from 10.9% in his largest previous sample to 19.6% this season.

These measurable physical and mechanical enhancements culminated in a strong spring training showing and carried over into his improved production. Another crucial factor was gaining more at-bats against left-handed pitchers, removing the previous protective measures that limited his exposure in those matchups. This offseason has become a turning point in Stowers’ career, preserving his path as a consistent everyday contributor.

The Context of Stowers’ Trade and His Growing Role With Miami

Kyle Stowers arrived in Miami as part of a trade deal involving Trevor Rogers, but he was not considered the centerpiece. Rather, he was viewed as a lesser piece, a “throw-in” by some accounts. However, with teammate Connor Norby sidelined due to a broken hamate bone, Stowers has become an essential player for the Marlins, outperforming expectations that often accompany players acquired in such package deals.

Despite circulating rumors of Stowers being on the trade block near this year’s deadline, the Marlins have publicly denied any intentions to move him, signaling their trust in the young outfielder as a key piece of their rebuilding, energetic core. His rapid rise and consistent play have made him a fan favorite in Miami, a city that has long desired a competitive and exciting team.

“Kyle Stowers on the atmosphere at loanDepot park during the weekend: ‘Oh, gosh. I hope we can keep it going. I know the Yankees always draw pretty well, but I’ve been really impressed by the energy of just Miami. I thought it was really impressive on the first night when we…'” —Daniel Álvarez-Montes

Stowers has embraced his role and the positive environment at Miami’s loanDepot Park, openly praising the energized fanbase and expressing enthusiasm about sustaining that momentum. This connection with the city and supporters adds another dimension to his growing impact.

The Overlooked Value and Future Outlook for Stowers’ MVP Case

Given his offensive milestones and integral role in one of the NL’s hottest teams, it is puzzling that Stowers is omitted from most MVP discussions and betting odds. His current performance suggests he is deserving of a top-three finish in the National League MVP race, an acknowledgment that has yet to materialize widely across baseball media.

Looking ahead, Stowers’ season suggests he will continue as a productive player for the Marlins and possibly beyond. His development represents not only a personal triumph over early-career challenges but also a vital asset for a Miami team gaining national attention after its recent sweep of the 2024 AL Champion New York Yankees. This momentum could lead to growing recognition of Stowers’ contribution both on and off the field as the postseason nears.

As more media and fans observe Miami’s rise and Stowers’ role in it, his name should become increasingly prominent in MVP debates. His improvement and consistent output make it difficult to justify overlooking him as the NL’s most valuable player in 2025.