Marlin Maniac
FanSided

Best Backup Backstops in Miami Marlins History

By Kevin Kraczkowski

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Bryan Holaday #28 of the Miami Marlins hits a walk-off single in the eleventh inning to defeat the New York Mets 4-3 at Marlins Park on August 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Bryan Holaday #28 of the Miami Marlins hits a walk-off single in the eleventh inning to defeat the New York Mets 4-3 at Marlins Park on August 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
16 Jul 1995: Pitcher Rob Nen of the Florida Marlins prepares to throw the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, maybe to Rob Natal, but probably to Charles Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Cratty /Allsport
16 Jul 1995: Pitcher Rob Nen of the Florida Marlins prepares to throw the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, maybe to Rob Natal, but probably to Charles Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Cratty /Allsport /

10. Rob Natal

After coming up with the Montreal Expos, Rob Natal joined the inaugural version of the Florida Marlins via expansion draft, and appeared behind the plate at least a few times a season for the first five seasons of Miami baseball. He was most prolific through his 1993 season despite not acquiring the requisite at bats to lose his rookie status. That’s when he got into 41 games and went 25-for-117 from the plate, with one home run, six RBI, and a 32 percent CS rate which matched exactly the NL rate. He also handled 281 2/3 innings of work without an error, providing valuable backup to former all-star Benito Santiago.

Throughout his Marlins career, Natal earned a .986 fielding percentage, rang up 28-of-93 basestealers, and slashed a .201/.282/.300 line over 115 games. He was also the Marlins primary backup in 1996, for all-star Charles Johnson.

9. Rob Brantly

Miami Marlins
DENVER, CO – JULY 25: Rob Brantly #19 of the Miami Marlins throws the ball back to the pitcher after a ball got loose during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 25, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Marlins beat the Rockies 5-3. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Rob Brantly was drafted all the way down in the 46th round in 2008, by the Washington Nationals. Two years later, the Detroit Tigers spent a third round selection on him. Two years after that, they traded him to the Miami Marlins for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante (we also got Jacob Turner and Brian Flynn in that deal).

In 2012, Brantly served as one of two backups to incumbent John Buck, along with Brett Hayes. Brantly only threw out 18 percent of baserunners, although he was a solid pitch caller and fielder (.990 fielding percentage). In 2013, he split nearly equal time with nominal starter Jeff Mathis (more on him later). Brantly improved to a 28 percent CS rate, and again racked up a .990 fielding percentage.

The backup catcher is almost never known for his bat, and Brantly is no exception to the rule. He put together a .235/.298/.325 slashline in 98 games for the Marlins. That’s actually amongst the top third of the slashlines for the final 15 catchers in this article.

Home/Marlins History