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Marlins Select Devin Smeltzer, Designate Eli Villalobos

By Mark Polishuk | April 9, 2023 at 9:40am CDT

The Marlins selected the contract of left-hander Devin Smeltzer, according to the Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson (Twitter link).  In corresponding moves, lefty Daniel Castano was optioned to Triple-A, and right-hander Eli Villalobos was designated for assignment.

Smeltzer signed a minor league deal with the Marlins back in January, and the southpaw will now lock in a $1MM guaranteed salary for making the team’s Major League roster.  Once he appears in a game with Miami, it will mark Smeltzer’s fifth season in the big leagues, after spending his first four years with the Twins.  With a 3.99 ERA over 140 career innings, Smeltzer’s bottom-line results have been solid, even if advanced metrics haven’t been sold on his low-velocity and low-strikeout repertoire.

The left-hander has only a 16.6% strikeout rate at the MLB level, but he has shown solid control with a 6.4% walk rate.  Working as both a starter and a reliever, Smeltzer was a useful swingman for the Twins, and started 12 of his 15 appearances last season.  With Johnny Cueto on the 15-day injured list, Braxton Garrett has been filling in as part of Miami’s rotation, so Smeltzer could provide more starting depth.

The Marlins added Villalobos to their 40-man roster last November in advance of the Rule 5 Draft, protecting the 25-year-old from any teams intrigued by his impressive minor league numbers.  Over 61 1/3 innings at Double-A and 17 1/3 innings at Triple-A in 2022, Villalobos had a combined 2.86 ERA, 32.7% strikeout rate, and 9.4% walk rate.  Unfortunately, things haven’t gone nearly as smoothly for the righty this season, as Villalobos was rocked for an 11.57 ERA in 4 2/3 innings at Triple-A, with two homers allowed and as many walks (seven) as strikeouts.  These numbers might dissuade teams from making a waiver claim, but it’s possible a club might still be intrigued by Villalobos’ ability to miss bats.

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Miami Marlins Transactions Daniel Castano Devin Smeltzer Eli Villalobos

Braves Place Travis D’Arnaud On Seven-Day Concussion IL
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California Notes: Walsh, Padres, Dahl, Engel, Cruz, Morejon, Pomeranz, A’s, Blackburn, Rucinski
View Comments (6)
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6 Comments

  1. Eighty Raw

    2 years ago

    Smeltzer is a survivor of a devastating pediatric muscle cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. Treatments of most pediatric cancers are extremely harsh and produce lasting detrimental effects. Pediatric cancer research is consistently underfunded. If you have the means, I encourage readers to donate to a foundation that funds pediatric cancer research (Children’s Oncology Group, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, etc.)

    7
    Reply
  2. Lucky Strike

    2 years ago

    Survived the Twins, too. I’ll always be a big fan.

    2
    Reply
  3. thickiedon

    2 years ago

    Hope he makes an impact with Miami. Surprised he didn’t sign an MLB deal

    Reply
  4. Ace_

    2 years ago

    The Marlins will be major contenders by 2025 at the latest. Watch out! 2025 World Series could easily be Marlins vs Orioles.

    Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    2 years ago

    Wouldn’t mind Villalobos at LHV.

    Reply
  6. Dumpster Divin Theo

    2 years ago

    He who Smeltzer dealt her

    Reply

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