The Marlins selected the contract of left-hander Braxton Garrett and named him the 29th man for today’s doubleheader against the Phillies, per a club announcement. They’ve also activated right-hander Nick Neidert from the injured list, optioning left-hander Dan Castano to open active roster space. To clear space on the 40-man roster for Garrett and Neidert, southpaw Brandon Leibrandt was transferred to the 60-day injured list with left elbow ulnar neuritis and infielder Eddy Alvarez was designated for assignment.
Garrett is the most notable name in today’s swath of moves, having been selected seventh overall in the 2016 draft out of an Alabama high school. An ill-timed Tommy John surgery the following June threw Garrett off track, and his prospect status has never completely bounced back. Nevertheless, he’s still among the most talented arms in the Miami farm system, with Baseball America recently placing him ninth among Marlins prospects thanks to his 92-95 MPH fastball and plus curveball. Garrett was due to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. The contending Marlins can afford to devote a roster spot to him a few months earlier if they anticipate him helping their playoff push.
Like Garrett, Neidert is one of the Marlins’ better pitching prospects. He was part of Miami’s season-opening roster but pitched in just one game before going on the IL amidst the team’s COVID-19 outbreak. The command artist turned in a 5.05 ERA in 41 Triple-A innings last year (deceptively productive work given the high-octane offensive environment in the Pacific Coast League).
Alvarez, meanwhile, was one of the more remarkable stories in baseball this season. The 30-year-old former Olympic speed skater cracked Miami’s MLB roster in the wake of their COVID outbreak. Unfortunately, he didn’t do nearly enough to hold down a roster spot permanently, hitting just .189/.268/.216 in 41 plate appearances.
Another prospect to be excited about for the marlins.
Yup our future #3 Starter between Alcántara and Pablo.
Sixto?
Sixto #1
Neidart arguably deserves a pass on his triple a performance last year, especially considering his great showing in the fall league. That being said, for a guy that is supposedly major league ready, I’d argue his numbers there still aren’t “deceptively productive,” regardless of the offensive climate in the PCL. His walk rate shot through the roof and pushed his whip to 1.6.
Braxton is just not ready yet
His performance today says he’s at least somewhat ready.
Talk about jumping the gun to early on a comment.
He should wear #16!
The marlins retired the number
Strong MLB debut.
Yep, with all of these young arms, Urena is just pitching to build value to where he can be traded instead of be non-tendered this offseason.
I’ve taken to watching some Marlins games each day prior to the Dodgers coming on. Great story, fun team, fundamentally sound. I am in awe of the job Mike Hill did in keeping them afloat after the COVID outbreak. Now the drafting, player development, and savvy trades are beginning to bear fruit. If they hang on and make the playoffs, Hill should get serious consideration for MLB’s Executive of the Year.
Mike Hill has certainly looked better this year. I’m not sure if he’s the guy though because there have been a couple of times when it was reported that he was just the front guy, and that it’s Gary Denbo that really has Jeter’s ear. Hill has a poor history with us. Either way, I’m thrilled with this season.
I think Don Mattingly also has to be a major favorite for Manager of the Year. He has kept things together very well.
The best part about this is the winning culture that Jeter stated he wanted to build from the bottom up. You see the work he has done there with the support of Michael Jordan and the occasional conversations they’ve had with Pat Riley. Playing the Marlins isn’t just about playing against the roster talent; it’s also about playing against the culture. Everyone has seen what the Miami Heat has done with that. I’m so loving this! And to think I was not a fan of Jeter or Jordan when they were players in their respective sports. I’m loving them as owners (so far).
Though I prefer Dave Roberts, I had no problem with Mattingly as manager of the Dodgers. I’ve never been a “fire-the-manager” person. Re Mattingly’s Marlins, they play the game the right way and seem to always have their heads in the game. I’m giving Donnie and his staff a big part of the credit for that. They’ve clearly had a positive influence on all that young talent.
Yep, and they won again today!