The Marlins turned in a strong 2020 campaign, raising expectations for the immediate future. To compete over a 162-game season, and to deliver a multi-year window of contention, the organization will need several promising young starters to settle in as top-quality rotation pieces.
Compiling a 2021 rotation will be the ultimate responsibility of a new baseball operations leader, but now-entrenched skipper Don Mattingly will likely have a significant say in the matter. Mattingly discussed the outlook for the pitching staff recently, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald covers.
While it stands to reason that high-profile youngster Sixto Sanchez will occupy a major role, Mattingly made clear that a the righty will have to earn a rotation spot. Though Sanchez “showed what he’s capable of,” Mattingly says there’s also “some downside to that and some areas where he needs to grow.”
Sanchez’s rookie showing was impressive by most any measure. Over 39 frames, he limited the long ball and racked up a 58.0% groundball rate to support a sturdy 3.46 ERA. The 22-year-old averaged 99 mph with his four-seam heater.
Despite that effort, Mattingly says Sanchez will enter camp in the same boat as fellow newcomer Trevor Rogers, who posted eyepopping strikeout numbers but carried a 6.11 ERA. Both hurlers will need to “continue to develop,” Mattingly said.
So, who is assured of a rotation job, presuming good health? Mattingly explains that he’s penciling in Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, and Elieser Hernandez at this early point.
It’d be hard to argue with that assessment. Hernandez has the thinnest track record of the trio, but it’s hard not to be impressed by his compilation of 11.9 K/9 against just 1.8 BB/9 in a six-start run. Mattingly expressed confidence in Hernandez’s health after his season was cut short by a lat injury.
The Fish could have the makings of a strong unit, but plenty of variables remain. Full health can’t be presumed, so there’ll be a need for more arms even if Sanchez ultimately takes a rotation slot. Mattingly also tabbed Nick Neidert and Jose Urena as possibilities, though the former has yet to make a MLB start and the latter seems to be a potential non-tender candidate.
Whatever happened to Jordan Yamamoto? I thought he’d be a huge key to stabilize the bottom of the rotation. Nevertheless, this is a sneaky good rotation. I’m not ready to say it’s the best in the N.L East, but it is closer to the top than most might think.
In his last appearance, he gave up 12 ER in 2.2 IP. He also finished the year with an ERA of 18.26 and -1.1 WAR. At this rate, he’ll be lucky to grab a rotation spot in independent ball, let alone the majors.
Don left him out to dry. Terrible coaching move. Killed his confidence.
He might get some innings out of the pen in a mop up roll, otherwise I think he starts in AAA next year.
Don has ruined many young pitchers.
Must’ve learned that from Joe Torre
Mattingly manages according to a “Managing for Dummies” pamphlet. The only reason he has a job is due to his name.
He’s great and under appreciated. Yamo had to wear it to save the other arms. They were in a pennant chase with no off days. Bad take.
Yeah, I remember watching that game and they needed Pablo Lopez, the SP, to go longer, only lasting 1.1 IP. Before that appearance on 9/9, Yamo last pitched on 8/17. Coming in that early out of the bullpen when he hadn’t pitched in 3 weeks. He definitely took one for the team.
Yes, he ruined many as a hitter and then as a manager.
I agree!
Um, people are just bashing Mattingly for Yammamoto, but there were reports that Yammamoto returned from the Covid shutdowns a little out of shape. He clearly was not the same as he was in Spring Training in March.
Yammamoto is a long shot, but if he comes into ST in shape, he can certainly pull off nabbing the 5th spot. But he’s going to have to bring it. From what I see, he may end up in the pen with Dugger, and they both help with adding rest days to the rest of the young core by being opener types in times when Mattingly wants to give the others an extra day of rest.
I really think the Marlins rotation could be a really underrated one next season. Sanchez, Alcantara, Lopez and Hernandez pitched well last year, and all are still under 25 years old. The 5th spot doesn’t really need to be a shutdown guy with all the other young and talented arms in the 1-4 spots. They could give the spot to someone like Braxton Garrett, Daniel Castano, Jordan Yamamoto, or the aformeniotned Niedenhart or Urena. They do have Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer on the horizon, so they’d probably be fine just swaping pitchers in and out of the 5th spot for now. See what works and what doesn’t.
I’m going to assume Castano gets that 5th spot. I think they should and probably will non-tender Urena. Castano deserves that 5th spot more than anybody. I think Rogers needs some time in AAA, he has a hard time locating pitches, and struggles to get through 3-4 innings not because the other team is hitting him, but because he can’t keep the pitch count low. Garret probably ends up in AAA with Yamamoto. I think Neidert ends up in the bullpen
I know it’s just one game, but Castano pitched very well in his spot start on the last day of the season. Definitely was fun to watch.
who castano
Agreed to 100 percent. Rogers and Garrret need a little more time to develop. Can’t wait for Meyer and Cabrera.
Would like to see more mentions of Edward Cabrera. Great stuff, prospect pedigree and throws 100. He’ll be a core piece.
On top of Sandy, Sixto, Pablo, Elieser, Braxton, Rogers, and Edward Cabrera(whos probably just as talented as Sixto, the marlins drafted an entire rotation in the 2020 draft led by Meyers.
Marlins should have a scary depth/good rotation for years to come.
And we haven’t even talked about the Bats waiting to take over the big league ball club
Daniels should see if a trade pkg could be put together to acquire Urena and either Cooper for a RH platoon for Guzman or Dickerson to serve as a stopgap to get White another year of seasoning or perhaps B Thompson to move into LF in 22
So he’s not penciling in Sixto? Uhh, yeah, we all know that’s not true.
It’s not that hard to believe. The kid has thrown a whole 39 innings above AA ball. That is the definition of small sample size. No harm in letting him prove that he can produce next spring.
i meam id assume he’s simply not 100% certain on it. no need to say anything for certain if you arent 100%.
who castano
Daniel Castano. He is a lefty who looked decent for us this season when we had the Covid situation. He’s a serious contender for a rotation spot at the back end.
i think marlins should use Braxton Garrett | and pick up free agant sp pitcher who can go seven
I actually have been thinking this. They could use a veteran innings-eater.
IMO, the offseason needs for the Marlins are as follows:
1) veteran innings-eating pitcher.
2) veteran, defensive catcher to help mentor Alfaro. And/or keep an eye on the Realmuto situation and a possible Yankees effort. If the Yanks grab Realmuto, then the Marlins should look into adding Gary Sanchez tp compete with Alfaro. When the NL goes to a DH, both Alfaro and Sanchez could rotate between DH and catcher.
3) Legit Closer.
4) don’t clog position player roster spots in order to allow the young MLB-ready players to win jobs; like the stable of OFs to battle for RF and the 4th OF spot (Ramirez, Brinson, Sierra, Harrison, and Sanchez); Middle infield (Chisholm and I. Diaz); and checking to see if Lewin Diaz is ready for 1B.
agree except on. Gary Sanchez ,Realmuto – dont think he return under jeter . mets i believe blow any chance marlins had at Sanchez – when marlins try trade ,Realmuto in trree team trade mets ,yankees – all because met would not give yanks nimmo.
would not allow young player who cant hit. if so Victor Victor Mesa would be better than Brinson, ( Mesa’s speed and defense are big-league ready) hope marlins keep Starling Marteup till trade deadline at lest.