Odrisamer Despaigne Named PCL Pitcher of the Week

If Odrisamer Despaigne continues to pitch the way he has for the New Orleans Baby Cakes, the Miami Marlins may want to make room for him on their Major League roster.

Despaigne was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, the Marlins Triple-A affiliate announced on Monday. The 31-year-old Cuban-born pitcher has spent time on the Marlins roster this season but was sent down to the minors.

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Per the Baby Cakes public relations department, Despaigne has spent the majority of this season with the Marlins but was optioned June 6.

"As stated in a press release from New Orleans, Despaigne had a 5.31 ERA (20.1 IP, 12 ER) in 11 appearances (1 start). Since coming to the Baby Cakes, he has made five appearances -one of them in a starting role. He has posted a 3.63 ERA (17.1 IP, 7 ER) with a 15:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He is with his third organization (San Diego, Baltimore, Miami) in five seasons since joining the Major League affiliated ranks, which followed an eight-year run pitching professionally in Cuba."

Despaigne could still be part of the Marlins rotation in the future or could be used in long relief out of the bullpen. His flexibility could bode well for the Marlins, who could use him in a role similar to the team used David Phelps the previous two seasons before he was traded before the 2017 deadline.

The Marlins just purchased the contracts of Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez last week from the farm team. Both pitchers earned their first wins of their careers on the Major League level. The team has also purchased the contract of Ben Meyer twice this season, but he has been on the roster for short periods of time.

Despaigne does offer stability to the Baby Cakes rotation, which now has to account for the loss of its two best pitchers. Lopez was in New Orleans for a brief stint before being called up to the show. Alcantara was a mainstay of the rotation, having pitched from opening day in the Pacific Coast League.

Next: Barraclough Named Pitcher of the Month for June