Josh Beckett Heads to Marlins Hall of Fame - But Is He the Franchise’s Best Homegrown Arm?
The Miami Marlins will honor one of their most iconic postseason performers this September, inducting Josh Beckett into the franchise’s Hall of Fame. For many fans, Beckett’s name immediately conjures memories of that electric Game 6 shutout in the 2003 World Series - a 23-year-old right-hander, running on three days’ rest, silencing Yankee Stadium and delivering the Marlins their second championship.
That moment alone etched Beckett into franchise lore. But with his Hall of Fame nod, a bigger question surfaces: Is Josh Beckett the best homegrown pitcher in Marlins history?
Let’s break it down.
Defining “Homegrown”
Before we dive into the debate, let’s clarify what we mean by “homegrown.” In this context, it refers to pitchers the Marlins acquired as amateurs - either via the MLB Draft or international free agency. That excludes some of the most recognizable names in club history - Kevin Brown, Dontrelle Willis, Ricky Nolasco, Aníbal Sánchez, and Sandy Alcantara - all of whom began their professional journeys elsewhere.
This is about the pitchers Miami raised from scratch - the ones who came up through the farm system and made their mark in the big leagues wearing a Marlins uniform.
Just Missed the Cut
Let’s start with a few names that came close but didn’t quite make the top tier.
Edward Cabrera, signed out of the Dominican Republic, led all Marlins international signees in bWAR with 7.1. His 2025 breakout - 137 ⅓ innings of 3.53 ERA ball with nearly 10 strikeouts per nine - hinted at a front-line future. But his trade to the Cubs ahead of the 2026 season means Miami fans won’t get to see where that arc leads in teal and black.
Brad Penny was another near-miss. Drafted and developed by the Marlins, Penny gave the club three strong seasons, including a 2.19 ERA during the 2003 postseason run.
But he was traded to the Dodgers in 2004, just as he was entering the prime of his career. From 2005 to 2007, he posted a 117 ERA+ and made two All-Star teams.
His 11.3 bWAR in that span ranked 21st among all pitchers - sandwiched between Dan Haren and Javier Vázquez.
And while relievers often get overlooked in these conversations, AJ Ramos deserves a shout. Drafted by Miami, Ramos tallied a 2.78 ERA over 327 ⅔ innings - the third-lowest mark in franchise history among pitchers with at least 300 innings, trailing only Kevin Brown and José Fernández. His 6.6 bWAR leads all homegrown Marlins relievers.
The Big Three
Now we get to the heart of the matter - the three names that truly define this conversation: Josh Beckett, Josh Johnson, and José Fernández. Each had a different path, a different peak, and a different legacy. But all three left a lasting imprint on the franchise.
Josh Beckett
The No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 MLB Draft, Beckett came into the organization with Nolan Ryan comparisons and didn’t take long to justify the hype. He debuted in 2001 and, by 2003, had become a postseason force. From 2003 to 2005, Beckett was one of just eight pitchers to throw 135+ innings each year with an ERA under 4.00.
His Marlins résumé includes a 3.46 ERA, 10.7 bWAR, and that unforgettable World Series clincher. While his time in Miami was relatively short - 609 innings over five seasons - his impact was massive. Beckett may not have had the longevity of others on this list, but few pitchers in Marlins history have delivered a higher peak on the game’s biggest stage.
Josh Johnson
If Beckett was the firework, Josh Johnson was the steady flame. Drafted in 2002, Johnson developed into the most statistically accomplished pitcher the Marlins have ever produced - and by a decent margin.
His 25.8 bWAR is not only the highest of any homegrown Marlins pitcher, it’s the highest in franchise history, period. From 2008 to 2012, he was one of the most dominant arms in the game.
Only Roy Halladay and Adam Wainwright had a lower ERA than Johnson’s 2.80 among pitchers with 500+ innings in that span. His 22.4 bWAR during those five seasons ranked ninth in all of baseball.
In 2010, Johnson won the NL ERA title with a 2.30 mark and finished fifth in Cy Young voting. Had a back injury not limited him to 183 ⅔ innings, he might’ve brought home the franchise’s first Cy Young Award.
His 916 ⅔ innings rank fourth in team history, and his 3.15 ERA remains one of the lowest among any Marlins pitcher with significant innings. He was never flashy, but when healthy, Johnson was a true ace - as good as anyone in the league.
José Fernández
Then there’s José Fernández, the most electric and tragic figure in Marlins history.
Signed out of Cuba and drafted 14th overall in 2011, Fernández burst onto the scene in 2013 with a Rookie of the Year campaign that felt like the start of something special. And it was - until it wasn’t.
In just 471 ⅓ innings, Fernández compiled a 2.58 ERA, a 2.44 FIP, and struck out more than 10 batters per nine. He was dominant from day one. Of the 109 pitchers to log 450+ innings between 2013 and 2016, only Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer matched his combination of ERA and strikeout rate.
Every time he took the mound, it felt like must-watch TV. His energy was infectious.
His talent, undeniable. And then, in September 2016, he was gone - taken far too soon at just 24 years old.
His legacy is one of brilliance and heartbreak. In terms of raw talent, Fernández might have been the best pitcher the Marlins ever developed. But we’ll never know how high he could’ve climbed.
So Who’s the Best?
It depends on what you value.
If you’re looking for postseason heroics and big-game moments, Beckett’s your guy. If you’re chasing pure stuff and sky-high potential, Fernández might top the list. But if you’re measuring sustained excellence - the ability to go out, year after year, and dominate - Josh Johnson stands alone.
He gave the Marlins more innings, more wins above replacement, and more consistency than any homegrown arm in franchise history. Even when injuries chipped away at his ceiling, Johnson kept delivering. His 0.028 bWAR per inning barely edges out Fernández’s 0.0278 - a razor-thin margin, but a telling one.
Looking Ahead: The Next Wave
The Marlins aren’t done developing arms. In fact, the next generation might already be here.
Eury Pérez, not yet 23, already owns a 3.71 ERA and 3.9 bWAR in just over a season's worth of innings. He’s got the tools to be a frontline starter - and the runway to build a legacy of his own.
Braxton Garrett was one of the team’s most reliable pitchers in 2023 and 2024, posting a 124 ERA+ and 5.6 bWAR before missing all of 2025 with injury. A strong bounce-back in 2026 could reinsert him into this conversation.
Further down the pipeline, names like Thomas White, Robby Snelling, and Noble Meyer give the Marlins even more reason for optimism. And don’t sleep on Kevin Defrank, a 17-year-old flamethrower who’s already touching triple digits.
Final Word
Josh Beckett will rightly be celebrated this fall for what he meant to the Marlins - a postseason hero, a World Series MVP, and a foundational piece of the franchise’s golden moment. But when it comes to the title of best homegrown pitcher in Marlins history?
That honor belongs to Josh Johnson - the quiet ace who gave Miami years of excellence, and whose legacy is built on more than just one unforgettable October.