The Marlins have claimed right-hander Declan Cronin off waivers from the Astros, reports Ari Alexander of KPRC-2 in Houston. He was designated for assignment last week. Miami hasn’t formally announced the claim and will need to open a spot on the 40-man roster to make the move official.
Cronin, 26, made his big league debut with the White Sox in 2023, yielding 11 runs in 11 innings. He’s a sinker-slider righty who averaged just under 94 mph on the former of those two offerings and posted big ground-ball rates both in the upper minors and in his limited MLB time. Cronin logged a 3.83 ERA in 51 2/3 Triple-A frames this past season, striking out 18.7% of his opponents against an 8.9% walk rate while sporting a 54.5% grounder rate.
While Cronin’s cup of coffee in the big leagues doesn’t stand out, his combination of lofty ground-ball rates and plus spin on his slider has piqued the interest of a few teams now. The ChiSox selected him to the roster this past summer, the Astros claimed him off waivers early last month, and the Marlins have now placed their own claim. Since the former 36th-round pick was just selected to a 40-man roster for the first time last summer, he still has multiple minor league option years remaining and, if he can establish himself as a viable MLB bullpen piece, is controllable for at least six more seasons.
Marlins are stockpiling young, controllable depth. Players with decent tools that haven’t had a true big league shot to prove themselves. I love it.
They find guys with one pitch that’s enticing and focus on developing that one pitch, and throwing it all over the count instead of just trying to get strikeouts
By why?
He’s the 67th ranked prospect in the WS system at the start of 2023.
Pedigree: Holy Cross, Drafted in 36th round —-No
Minor Leagues: Whip 1.43, BB/9 3.5, K/9 7.3 —-No
Major Leagues: FIP 7.80 ————————-No
Whats worth a 40-Man Roster spot?
I was puzzled when the Astros grabbed him, and I am even more puzzled now.
When you’re picking up White Sox bottom
of the dumpster scrapings look out. One of the worst minor league systems.
His name sounds like that of a lead character in a mediocre sci-fi series.
With acquisitions like this who needs a shortstop or DH this going to put us marlins over the top. What a joke MLB should force Sherman to sell!