Dillon Peters can help the Miami Marlins in 2018

Playing for the future, the Miami Marlins now turn their eyes towards the future.

The Miami Marlins are effectively out of playoff contention. This season has truly been one of ups and downs for the Marlins, where at times they sweep perennial contenders like the Rockies, but also lose three of four games at home to the Phillies.

This team needed five Clayton Kershaw‘s to be relevant in such a loaded National League. It is now time to start looking towards the future where this team needs to shore up its starting rotation. It currently ranks 24th in the MLB and continues to plummet.

Dillon Peters strives to crack a spot in next year’s rotation.

It is a tryout again from the bottom of the rotation all the way to the ace of the rotation. Here’s how Dillon Peters ranks with the rest of the Marlins starting rotation

Does Dillon Peters have a shot of making the starting rotation?

With the state of how the Marlins have been pitching, there will be opportunities to make a name for oneself. Coming from the minors, Peters definitely proved his worth. In 13 minor league starts, Peters was 7-3 with a 1.57 ERA.

Nine of those starts were at the highest level, Double A, where he posted a 6-2 record with a 1.97 ERA. His ability to locate his pitches and move the ball on either side of the plate has thrown batters off balance and forced bad contact.

With a fastball that ranges in the low 90’s, maxing out at 93.5 mph. His most impressive pitch has been his curveball, his go-to pitch, with a strong sweeping ability and avoidance for contact.

In the bigs, the 10th rounder from University of Texas product has flashed signs of potential. Peter’s debut was unbelievable; throwing seven shutout innings and striking out eight, matching a couple of team records.

The late Jose Fernandez struck out eight in five innings on his debut on April 7, 2013, against the Mets. Brad Penny pitched eight shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Phillies. Joining this elite company bodes well considering the success of both of these pitcher’s careers. In 18 innings of work, he has posted a 2.50 ERA.

As long as pitching coach Juan Nieves can groom and provide needed baseball tips for the young phenom, the sky is the limit. This team vitally could use a dominant left-handed pitcher, with poise and confidence on the hill.

It hasn’t witnessed such a left-handed pitcher with swagger since Dontrelle Willis.

Is he ready for 30 starts in 2018-2019?

Peters showed some growing pains in his start against the Milwaukee Brewers. In 3 2/3 innings of work, Peters allowed eight earned runs on nine hits, and had three walks. He did not execute his put-away pitches, leaving a couple of his curveballs hanging over the plate.

On what he could take away from this game, “Just pitch execution, you walk the pitcher to load them up, obviously, I know that I better bury that two-strike breaking ball. I don’t think I was too far all over the place. Just a couple of mistake pitches.”

Next: Miami Marlins draft spotlight: J.D. Osborne, 22nd round

Dillon Peters next projected start will be this Saturday on the road against the playoff bound Arizona Diamondbacks. The opposing starter will be Tajuan Walker, who boasts a 9-8 record and 3.45 ERA.