Miami Marlins Season in Review: Tanner Andrews

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 44…of 286. Stay tuned.

Tanner Logan Andrews is a 6’3″, 220 lb. right-handed pitcher from Rochester, IN. Born on November 15th, 1995, Andrews was chosen in the 10th round of the 2018 draft by the Miami Marlins, 297th overall, out of Purdue University. A three-sport standout in high school, Andrews credits his brother in helping to influence him as a player and as a man on and off the field:

"The most influential person in my baseball career was definitely my brother. Him being a catcher and just 2 years older than me he definitely pushed me to be my best not only on the field but off the field as well. – Andrews"

In four seasons of division I baseball, Andrews started 38 times and came out of the bullpen 22 times. Overall, he posted a 17-15 record and a 3.69 ERA, striking out 184 batters in 257 2/3 innings. His role going forward is really immaterial to Andrews’ wishes. He’s happy either way:

"To be honest with you. I just like to pitch, I like to be out there competing. I like the starting role because I can get into a routine and really set the tone for the game.I like the back end of the bullpen role as well because I can come out and throw everything I have at them, slam the door and get some bigger strikeout numbers. – Andrews"

Members of the “297 club” have made it to the major league level 14 out of 54 times, a 25 percent success rate. Most prolific amongst them are Rick Dempsey (1967, Minnesota Twins, 25.2 career WAR), John Stearns (1969, Oakland Athletics, 19.7 WAR), and Buddy Groom (1987, Chicago White Sox, 6.7 WAR). If Andrews makes it to the majors, he will become the 10th Purdue alum to make it, chief amongst them Kevin Plawecki (2012, New York Mets, 3.0 WAR). You can follow Andrews on Twitter @T13Andrews.

More from Marlins Prospects

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• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

After signing on the dotted line for a $10,000 bonus, Andrews reported to the GCL Marlins, in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. After one scoreless inning with the gateway club, he was promoted to the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League, where he remained for the balance of the campaign. Over his 13 appearances, including two starts, he struck out 25 in 30 innings while issuing only five free passes. He held opponents to a 1.20 WHIP and finished with a 3.60 ERA, going 2-0. On August 3rd, Andrews struck out four over two near-perfect innings in a 9-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. When asked who he tries to model his game after, he picked a probable future hall-of-famer:

"I have to go with Scherzer. The way he competes every pitch he is on the mound is something I think every pitcher should try to model their game after. – Andrews"

Andrews pitched well enough to move up the Miami Marlins organization in 2019, probably to the single-A Clinton LumberKings, in the Midwest League. I asked Andrews about how he’s preparing for next season:

"I’ve doing CrossFit to get in the best shape and become the most athletic and explosive as possible. It is pretty easy to pick it up and get after it every year when this is what I’ve dreamed up my entire life. – Andrews"

More or less even progress through the minor league system would see Andrews get a shot out of Spring Training in 2021.

Thanks for reading, and thank you Tanner Andrews for taking some time to answer our questions. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep up with the Miami Marlins.