Marlins Gain Four, Lose Four, In Today’s Rule V Draft

The Marlins were busy in the Rule V draft today, picking up four players, while also losing four.

The Marlins selected LHP Andrew McKirahan from the Cubs, LHP Matt Tomshaw from the Twins, 1B Harold Riggins from the Reds, and LHP Alex Burgos from the Tigers. They lost IF Mark Canha, RHP Ramon Del Orbe, RHP Jheyson Manzueta, and SS Hiram Martinez.

McKirahan is a 6’2 24 year old pitcher the Cubs drafted in the 21^st round of the 2011 draft. In 2014, he moved up from the A+ Daytona Cubs to the AA Tennessee Smokies. At Daytona he had a 0.99 ERA in 23 games, and followed that up with a 3.45 ERA in 21 games with the Smokies. He brings a career 1.09 WHIP and 9.5 SO9 to the Marlins.

Matt Tomshaw is another 6’2 lefty. He had been with the Twins since he was drafted in the 42^nd round of the 2011 draft. The New York native has spent the past two seasons in A+ Fort Meyers with the Miracle. In 2014 he went 11-6 with a 3.50 ERA. He is not a strikeout machine, but he keeps the ball in the park, averaged .7 home runs per 9 innings pitched. Expect him to be at the AA level in 2015.

Harold Riggins may be the first baseman for Miami one day, but not with the numbers he has right now. Last season Riggins hit .263/7/25 in 58 games at the AA level before being dropped back to A+ where he slashed .232/3/12 in 35 games. The nice part about him is that he gets on base. His career OBP is over 100 points higher than his batting average and came close to that in 2014. He has a great eye, but needs to get the rest together.

Alexander Burgos is a Florida local, growing up in Kissimmee Florida. The Tigers drafted the 5’10 lefty in the 5^th round of the 2010 draft. Burgos spent a majority of his time with the A+ Lakeland Flying Tigers. In 25 games, he had a 4.26 ERA in 61.1 innings. Control was a concern, as he had a monster 1.500 WHIP and walked 5.0 per 9 innings pitched. He also had a low strikeout ratio that was also 5.0/9 innings.

Mark Canha is a curious case. The Marlins have been looking for a first baseman, and it looks like they had one all along. Unfortunately, now he is on the Athletics after he was traded by the Rockies who actually picked him in the Rule V draft. Last season at AAA Canha hit .303 with a .384 OBP and mashed 20 home runs and 82 RBI.

Del Orbe is a 22 year old pitcher that spent time in A Greensboro and the low A Batavia Muckdogs of the NY Penn League. He had a 5.09 ERA with the Muckdogs and did not give up a run in 15.1 NYPL innings.

Manzueta has been with the Marlins organization since he was 19 in 2008. The 6’2 righty spent a majority of his time last season with the AA Jacksonville Suns. He posted a 4.44 ERA in 46.2 innings. He only gave up 2 home runs, but was another victim of letting too many men get on base. He had a 1.500 WHIP with the Suns. Martinez was unimpressive in the NYPL, hitting .235/0/9 in 28 games with the Muckdogs.

The Marlins were unhappy with the play of Garrett Jones at first base. Last season Canha played 40 games at first base to the tune of a .996 fielding percentage. For a team so intent on using young players, I cannot understand how this kid wasn’t protected for a 2015 debut. He is 25 years old, gets on base, and is on his way to Oakland.

In addition to the rule V draft today, the Marlins have made a slew of moves this week at the Winter Meetings. They’ve acquired Dee Gordon, Mat Latos, and Andre Rienzo in trades with the Dodgers, Reds, and White Sox.

It’s time for everyone to take a deep breath as the Meetings come to a close. The Marlins look very different than they did Monday morning. They are almost ready for 2015.

Next: BREAKING NEWS: Marlins Trade For Mat Latos