July 13th, 2025, will forever be etched in Miami Marlins franchise history—and it's a date that the Baltimore Orioles would probably prefer to forget. On that steamy Saturday afternoon at Camden Yards, Kyle Stowers stepped into the batter's box against his former team with something to prove. By the time he rounded the bases for the third time that day, he had not only delivered a statement performance but set in motion one of the most remarkable two-game power displays in recent MLB history.
Stowers went 5-for-5 with three home runs and six RBIs against the Orioles, becoming just the fourth player in Marlins franchise history to achieve a three-homer game. But that was only the beginning. Five days later, in the first game after the All-Star break, Stowers launched two more home runs against the Kansas City Royals, making him the first MLB player ever to hit five home runs in a two-game span where one included a walk-off blast.
For the Stanford University product who once struggled to maintain a starting spot in college, this historic achievement represents the culmination of a journey that seemed unlikely just months earlier.
Stowers' path to MLB stardom was far from linear, beginning with significant challenges during his time with the Stanford Cardinal. Despite being recruited to one of the nation's premier academic and athletic institutions, Stowers faced early adversity that would have derailed many prospects.
As a freshman at Stanford, Stowers earned a spot as one of only two first-year players in the Opening Day starting lineup—a testament to his raw talent. However, poor performance cost him that position, and the same pattern repeated during his sophomore season. Many players might have transferred or given up on their baseball dreams at that point, but Stanford head coach David Esquer and hitting coach Tommy Nicholson saw something special in the young outfielder.
"I remember kind of thinking, 'Well, maybe I should just pitch,'" Stowers reflected on those difficult early years, referring to his ability as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher. However, the Stanford coaching staff's persistence paid off. Following an especially challenging series, Nicholson reached out with a simple text about extra work the next day—a moment that helped turn Stowers' career around.
By his junior season in 2019, Stowers had transformed into one of college baseball's most promising prospects. He batted .303 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs over 55 games, earning recognition as a Baseball America Preseason First-Team All-American. His summer in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League further solidified his draft stock, where he hit .326 with six home runs and earned All-Star honors with the Falmouth Commodores.
The Baltimore Orioles recognized his potential, selecting Stowers in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft. However, his professional journey would prove just as challenging as his college beginnings.
Stowers' early professional career with the Orioles organization was marked by tantalizing flashes of brilliance mixed with inconsistent performance and limited opportunities. Despite putting up impressive numbers in the minor leagues, including being named the Orioles' Organizational Player of the Year, he struggled to establish himself at the major league level.
His MLB debut came in June 2022, providing a glimpse of his potential with an opposite-field double that drove in the Orioles' lone run in a loss to Toronto. However, consistent playing time remained elusive. In 2023, Stowers managed just 14 games with Baltimore, going 2-for-30 with no home runs—numbers that hardly reflected his minor league success.
The 2024 season offered more opportunity but continued frustration. Despite a strong spring training that saw him hit .256 with seven home runs, Stowers began the year in Triple-A Norfolk. Even after setting career minor league home run records, his major league performance remained inconsistent, managing just 19 games with Baltimore before the trade that would change his career trajectory.
Connor Norby, who was traded alongside Stowers to Miami, later reflected on the Baltimore organization's assessment: "People kind of wrote him off a long time ago, especially Baltimore, just because he wasn't the first-round Draft pick or whatever. When I first met Stowie, he was Organizational Player of the Year, and that included a system with Gunnar [Henderson], [Jordan] Westburg, Adley [Rutschman], Joey Ortiz, guys like that, right? He was the Orioles' Player of the Year, and he mashed."
On July 30, 2024, the Miami Marlins acquired Stowers and Norby from Baltimore in exchange for left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers. For Miami, it was a classic buy-low trade for young talent. For Stowers, it represented a fresh start with an organization willing to give him regular playing time.
However, the initial results weren't encouraging. Stowers struggled in his 50 games with Miami down the stretch, batting just .186/.262/.295 with two home runs and 15 RBIs. Many observers wondered if the Orioles' assessment had been correct—perhaps Stowers was destined to be a "Quad-A" player, too good for the minors but not quite able to succeed consistently in the majors.
The 2025 season began with Stowers making the Opening Day roster, a decision that surprised many given his previous struggles. His response was immediate and dramatic: a walk-off RBI single in his first game as a regular contributor. It was a sign of things to come.
Stowers' 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. Through 84 games before the All-Star break, he hit .280/.352/.514 with a team-leading 16 home runs and 46 RBIs—production that earned him selection as the Marlins' lone All-Star representative.
The journey to All-Star status wasn't without its challenges. A difficult stretch from mid-May through late June saw Stowers go without a home run for over a month, raising familiar questions about his consistency. However, he responded by heating up at exactly the right time, leading into his historic series against Baltimore.
His selection to the All-Star Game was particularly meaningful given his circuitous path to success. "It's pretty surreal to be honest," said a visibly emotional Stowers upon learning of his selection. "I'll be honest, there's always been a part of me that's believed I had this capability. I know there's been a group in my community that has believed the same thing."
The weekend of July 13-14 represented the apex of Stowers' revenge tour against his former organization. Facing Orioles pitcher Brandon Young, Stowers took him deep three times in the same game, joining an exclusive group of just four Marlins players in franchise history to achieve the feat. The performance made him the first to accomplish it since Brian Anderson in 2020, putting him alongside Anderson, Cody Ross, and Mike Lowell in Marlins lore.
"I wanted to play really well, not out of any form of wanting to get back at them or anything like that," Stowers said postgame. "It was just because we're all competitors. I'm sure they wanted to get me."
The statistical achievements from that series were staggering. Stowers finished 5-for-5 in the three-homer game, tying franchise records for hits in eight consecutive at-bats and reaching base in ten consecutive plate appearances. His 11 RBIs across the two-game series also tied a franchise record.
But the historic nature of his performance became clear five days later. In Miami's first game after the All-Star break, Stowers launched two more home runs against Kansas City, including a walk-off blast that capped one of the most remarkable individual achievements in recent baseball history. No player in MLB history had ever hit five home runs in a two-game span that included a walk-off.
Throughout his journey, Stowers has credited his Stanford experience with providing the foundation for his professional success. The academic rigor and high expectations at Stanford prepared him for the mental challenges of professional baseball, while the coaching staff's patience during his early struggles taught him resilience.
"The SEC prepared me for this level," he noted, referring to Stanford's challenging conference schedule. "Playing against the best competition in college baseball, dealing with hostile road environments, learning how to perform under pressure—all of that carried over."
His Stanford background also connected him to a network of successful professional athletes who understood the unique challenges of balancing elite athletics with academic excellence. The Cardinal baseball program's emphasis on character development and work ethic proved invaluable during his darkest professional moments.
For the Miami Marlins, Stowers represents more than just an All-Star season—he's become a potential cornerstone for a franchise in transition. His combination of power, plate discipline, and improved consistency has made him one of the team's most valuable assets.
The Marlins have indicated their commitment to Stowers extends beyond this season. He won't be eligible for arbitration until 2027 and will remain under team control through 2029, giving Miami significant flexibility in building around his production. His success has also validated the organization's approach of acquiring undervalued talent and providing the development opportunities they need to reach their potential.
As Stowers continues his breakout season, his story serves as inspiration for college players facing their own struggles and professional athletes working to overcome early career setbacks. His five-homer weekend against Baltimore and Kansas City will be remembered as a defining moment, but the real victory lies in the persistence and growth that made such performances possible.
For Stanford Cardinal fans and baseball enthusiasts everywhere, Stowers' journey from college benchwarmer to All-Star demonstrates that success rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes the most rewarding destinations require taking the scenic route—and occasionally, that route includes making history against the team that gave up on you too soon.
His story continues to unfold, but one thing is certain: Kyle Stowers has proven that Stanford Cardinal toughness, combined with Miami Marlins opportunity, can create magic that resonates far beyond the baseball diamond.
If you love tracking stories like these, FanDaily offers exclusive alumni updates and alumni insights delivering the latest on NCAA alumni thriving in the pros. Check out our Pro Pipeline tool at https://fandaily.io/pro-pipeline to discover how many alumni from your school are currently playing in the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and other professional leagues. Our comprehensive tracking system helps you follow your favorite programs' professional journeys with detailed alumni breakdowns and league-by-league analysis.