Jarlin Garcia to the starting rotation isn’t anything new

In recent days, traction has gathered behind a potential switch from the bullpen to the starting rotation for Jarlin Garcia. That shouldn’t be news if you’ve been paying attention.

It’s no industry secret that the Miami Marlins are hurting for staring pitching in a major way. 24-year old rookie left-hander Jarlin Garcia has successfully made the jump to the Major Leagues, and has quietly put together an impressive season.

Given the shortage of rotation arms available to the team, it’s no surprise that these kinds of talks are picking up steam. Garcia served primarily as a starter coming through the minor league ranks. Given the need, don’t be surprised to see the Miami Marlins spot him a start at some point.

Jarlin Garcia has managed to secure a role on the team for the foreseeable future. What that role will be remains to be determined.

He’s proven himself capable of getting outs at the Major League level. Appearing in 47 games this season, Garcia has a WHIP of 0.995. He’s shown good command and a penchant for the strikeout pitch, issuing only 9 walks and fanning 29 in 36.2 innings of work.

Of course, Garcia was on my radar as a potential starter back in May. The Miami Marlins had just demoted Tom Koehler (the first time), and were scrambling in similar fashion to the way they are now. I wrote that he was their best option over two months ago.

Why is this notable? Recently, an article published in the Miami Herald suggests the same thing. Only they were several months tardy to the scoop.

Regardless of who was first to come to the realization (it was me), Garcia is worth giving a shot in a starting capacity. What has the team to lose at this point?

Garcia’s role moving forward

It’s hardly inevitable that Garcia will get a start at some point this month. But if it is going to happen, it’ll be soon. September call ups are around the corner, and the team will be flush with prospects they’d like to give an opportunity to.

Notably, Dillon Peters will likely be ceded a few starts.

Garcia’s longest appearance so far this year was only 1.2 innings on July 26th. He allowed two hits, and no earned runs to the Texas Rangers. Stretching him out will require time. The team can’t simply trot him out and ask him to throw seven innings after not having thrown as many as two all season.

As it stands, the Marlins have Vance Worley coming off of his best start of the season. The veteran right went seven innings without allowing an earned run. That likely secured him at least two more starts, and could delay any transition for Garcia.

It’s safe to say that Worley isn’t the answer, though. A known commodity, Worley has already reached his ceiling. Meanwhile, Garcia has all the room in the world to grow. Miami is wise to slow-play his transition, but if not now, when? The team is as desperate as it’s going to get.

Next: What to make of Miami Marlins winning streak

For the meantime, Jarlin Garcia continues to pitch well in his given role. He’s now made five consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. It might have taken long enough for the talk to catch on, but now that it has, don’t expect it to slow down.

If Garcia continues to be as effective out of the pen, need and curiosity will eventually create an opportunity for him.