Miami Marlins wise to be careful with Dillon Peters

With no scheduled starter for Saturday’s game against the Rockies, expect a familiar face to be called up over a new one.

With Chris O’Grady on the disabled list, who gets the start on Saturday? It’s been a guessing game since the 27-year old left was placed on the disabled list with an oblique strain. To this point, the Miami Marlins haven’t addressed the issue directly.

There are essentially three options for them to choose from. Veteran righty Tom Koehler, who has fallen out of favor with the organization. Last chance lefty Justin Nicolino, who has struggled to keep his footing in with the top club. Or touted prospect Dillon Peters.

As the season is mostly a wash in terms of making the playoffs, Miami is wisely slow-playing Peters’ promotion.

In all likelihood, we’ll see Justin Nicolino get his last chance to play Major League Baseball for the Miami Marlins. After a number of unsuccessful leaps to the highest level of baseball, Nicolino hasn’t managed to stick.

Nicolino remains the only player with the Miami Marlins after the blockbuster trade with the Toronto Blue Jays that signaled the third fire sale for the franchise.  Henderson Alvarez, Anthony DeSclafani, Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Jake Marisnick and Jeff Mathis have all moved elsewhere with their baseball career.

Tim Healy of the Sun-Sentinel appears convinced that Nicolino will get one last chance on Saturday. That appears to be the most prudent move on the part of the Miami Marlins, and for the future of the team.

While fans might be eager to see Dillon Peters pitch against Major League competition, they’ll have to wait a little longer. Peters will likely be a part of the roster expansion that takes place in September. The team expects him to compete for a roster spot out of spring training next year.

We’ll have to wait for Peters

For a player that was selected in the 10th round of the 2014 draft, the buzz around Peters is tremendous. He’s battled injuries his entire career, which will ultimately determine his success in baseball.

Peters appeared destined to be a first day selection in the 2011 and 2014 MLB Draft’s. His strong commitment to playing for the Texas Longhorns saw him fall to the 20th round out of high school. Then an elbow injury requiring Tommy John saw him plummet to the 10th in 2014.

Since arriving with the Marlins, he’s continued to battle injuries. A fractured thumb caused him to miss significant amount of time before returning in 2017. Since coming back, he’s dominated. Peters was immediately assigned to Gulf Coast League, but rose quickly, needing only four appearances to return to AA.

It appears that Peters is everything scouts thought he was going to be before he required Tommy John surgery on his elbow.

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As anxious as fans might be to watch Peters pitch, it’s with good reason that they’ll have to continue to wait. Justin Nicolino has failed to impress in the past, but you never know. He might figure it out. If he does, that’s a huge boost for the club.

Chances are high that we’ll see Peters appear in a game later this year anyway.