Miami Marlins Roster Moves: JB Shuck Elects Free Agency

The JB Shuck era of Miami Marlins baseball has come to a close.

Shuck has elected free agency after hitting .192/.255/.231 in 70 games for the Miami Marlins in 2018. A Galion, OH native, Shuck joined the Miami Marlins after having spent 2017 with the Rochester Red Wings, in the triple-A International League for the Minnesota Twins.

Shuck has also spent major league time with the Houston Astros (37 games), the Los Angeles Angels (151 games), the Chicago White Sox (159 games), and the Cleveland Indians (16 games).

Shuck had one of the best catches in history while playing with the Angels in 2013:

Shuck signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins on November 21st, 2017. After spending the first week of the 2018 campaign with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, in the triple-A Pacific Coast League, the Marlins called him up on April 13th.

It didn’t take Shuck long to make an impact on the Marlins. He started in right field and batted sixth on the same day as his callup, and went four-for-four with a triple and two runs scored. It was the first four-hit game of Shuck’s career to that point. The Marlins topped the Pittsburgh Pirates that day, 7-2.

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In 53 of 70 games through the season, Shuck was held hitless. That includes 14 starts. In the 17 games in which he did collect a hit, he had two two-hit games and two four-hit affairs. The second was on June 14th, in Miami’s 16-inning, 6-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Shuck batted seventh and played right field in that game, going four-for-seven with a run scored.

Shuck was notably more effective with the Baby Cakes after he was sent outright to the PCL club on July 7th. In 51 games at the lower level, he hit .327/.405/.461 with three homers and 16 RBI. He also stole 11 bases in 12 tries, and drew as many walks as strikeouts, with 23 each. From July 29th through August 7th, Shuck went on an eight-game hitting streak, going 17-for-30 with four walks, three doubles, a homer, eight runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases. He was named the PCL Player of the Week on August 5th.

Shuck is 31-years-old, and will turn 32 next season. Chances at a guaranteed contract are nil, but he’s probably a good bet to hook up somewhere on a minor league deal.

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