How Will The Marlins Young Pitching Finish 2018?

With the young arms at the Miami Marlins disposal for the remaining month of the season, how will these pitchers finish 2018? The young pitching could tell the story.

It’s a tough decision for Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly. Which pitching prospect to choose on a nightly basis to take the mound? Which young arm is the next one up in the rotation? Which players have the best chance of sticking around in 2019?

Since the Miami Marlins go into the final few weeks of this year hoping to reach 65 wins, it is potentially a game of roulette. Mattingly has said he will keep veteran players in the lineup against playoff contenders. He did not say whether the same commitment would be made to the rotation and bullpen.

It’s one of the five pressing questions MLB.com’s Jamal Collier asked regarding Miami and the rest of the National League East.

“Of all the divisions throughout baseball this season, perhaps none has been more surprising than the National League East, where the heavy division favorites have been supplanted by two young teams making their ascension earlier than anticipated,” Collier writes. “The emergence of the Braves and Phillies has made for an intriguing season thus far, as both teams look to head to the postseason.”

More from Marlins News

• Why didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?
• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win
• Miami Marlins can’t afford to botch this trade

The Marlins are on the outside looking in, mired in the bottom of the division, hoping to play spoiler and show some life and momentum to hand onto. A young pitching staff, that got a boost from rookie Sandy Alcantara Wednesday night, could surprise fans eager for anything to get excited about.

“If Miami can get more starts like the one it got from Sandy Alcantara on Wednesday night, the Marlins are going to feel pretty good about the development of their young pitchers. Alcantara, the team’s second-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, tossed seven-plus innings of shutout ball with six strikeouts in a 2-1 win over the Phillies,” Collier explained.

It was the second win in as many tries for the 22-year-old flame thrower. He has appeared in just two MLB games this season, but there is already talk that he could become the ace of a very young and inexperienced staff next season.

That should give Mattingly and the organization pause for excitement. So should the fans, who see what management is doing, which is creating a process for the long-haul, not just a short fix. It starts with pitching

“Miami will be banking heavily on its young pitchers to close out the season, including Alcantara, Trevor Richards, and Elieser Hernandez. Richards has been the most consistent of the group, but Alcantara, who was acquired from the Cardinals in the trade for Marcell Ozuna this past offseason, has the most upside,” Collier added.

The Marlins will also have other names to draw from come Spring Training. Caleb Smith and Pablo Lopez will return from season-ending injuries. Jose Urena will still be a part of the rotation.

In the minors, Mattingly will have to decide if Zac Gallen and Nick Neidert deserve a chance on the Major League level.

If anything else, the next few weeks will serve as an audition for some of the young pitching the Marlins coaching staff will have a chance to see in person.