Dillon Peters’ next start should be in a Miami Marlins uniform

The Marlins have been on quite a ride, but still need all the pitching help they can get. The good news is their best bet is already in the system.

The time has come for the Miami Marlins to promote Dillon Peters.

Before pushing for that in greater detail though, I want to walk back a claim I made this weekend. The Marlins do not have to promote Peters in the next four days to be able to use him in the postseason.

Full credit to the Miami Marlins broadcasting Twitterverse steering me in the direction, but it turns out that only applies to trades.

If you’re in the system, you can play. Check out the MLB rules on eligibility here.

So Peters, Brian Anderson, even Trevor Richards could be October heroes for Marlins Nation, even if we don’t see them until minor league seasons wrap.

But when it comes to Peters, the waiting should be at an end. In fact, I’ll go so far as to make a bold prediction: He’s getting the ball Thursday against the Phillies.

It would be crazy criminal not to at this point. Peters is fresh off his best start of the season, a 6.2 IP outing of shutout baseball with 7 Ks. He’s given up one run in his last three starts. You think this Marlins pitching staff could use something like that?

More than ready for Miami Marlins

His pitch count has climbed steadily, so he’s well stretched out. He missed two months due to injury, so he’s actually in no danger of reaching any kind of innings limit either. His career high is 128.2 IP last season; for 2017, he’s only at 63 IP on the year.

Peters could give Miami ten starts before anyone in player development would even think of raising their hand to object.

By the way, they’d be having that argument deep into October if it came to that. So he’s good.

That just leaves the decision on when to give him the nod. Thursday is the next available day to plug him in. That would technically be Odisramer Despaigne’s turn in the rotation. As good as he was last time out, he only got that start because the Marlins opted for using two regular rotation members in last Tuesday’s doubleheader.

I’m not so sure he needs to be rewarded with another start this soon.

Wednesday in Washington would be his next natural day to pitch, but that’s a tough road environment for your first time in the majors. Peters just had his best outing of the season on extra rest, as rain pushed him back a day last week.

Plus, Wednesday is Adam Conley‘s day to pitch anyway.

Next: Reasons Other Than Stanton

Fingers crossed we still see a late trade to help this team out. Michael Hill is right not to think much of the starting pitchers that have cleared waivers. But if he thinks none of them are better than any of Miami’s options to be the fifth starter….that’s puzzling.

He’s either astoundingly confident in Wei-Yin Chen‘s elbow ligament and collection of also-rans, or just gravely mistaken.

The best move though? Giving Peters the ball, as soon as possible.