Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 36…of 286. Stay tuned.
Nathan Alexander is a 6’4″, 170 lb. right-handed pitcher from Lake Jackson, TX, origin of former major leaguer Brad Lincoln and current player Ryan Tepera. Born on June 7th, 1996, Alexander was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 24th round of the 2018 amateur draft with the 717th overall choice. He signed for a $65,000 bonus on June 13th. In his only season of Division I ball, he went 3-1 with a 3.19 ERA over seven starts and two relief appearances, striking out 30 batters in 31 innings for the University of Texas-San Antonio.
Of the 54 players selected 717th overall, two have made it as far as the major leagues. Jesse Litsch (2004, Toronto Blue Jays, 3.9 career WAR) and George Theodore (1969, New York Mets, -0.5 WAR) are the charter MLB members of the “717 club.” Alexander hopes to make number three.
After signing, Alexander joined the rookie-level GCL Marlins, in the Gulf Coast League. Based out of Jupiter, the GCL Marlins put together a 25-31 record, finishing third in the five-team GCL Eastern Division.
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In a dozen trips out of the bullpen, Alexander put down an 0-2 record and a solid 2.45 ERA. He made 22 batters miss against only five walks over 18 frames, with a 1.31 WHIP to his credit. In only three of his 12 appearances did he allow more hits than innings pitched. His best performance of the season was likely his first, on June 29th. He pitched two perfect innings against the GCL Mets, in a 6-3 loss, striking out two batters. In his final appearance of the season, on August 24th, he whiffed two in an inning of work, allowing only a walk as the Marlins dropped a 6-5 decision to the GCL Cardinals.
Not at any point ranked in any prospect countdown or “watch,” Alexander also did not earn any specific honors through the season. Regardless, the future is bright. His solid stats spell a probable start to next season with the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs, in the New York-Penn League. Continued progression through the minor league feeder system would see Alexander make a play for the Miami Marlins major league roster out of Spring Training in 2023.
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