Chris O’Grady’s Pre-Rookie Season: Miami Marlins Review

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 129 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

Chris O’Grady is a 6’4″, 220 lb. left-hander from Congers, New York. O’Grady is the second major leaguer to hail from Congers, joining catcher Bill Drescher.

O’Grady was born on April 17th, 1990, and before turning professional played four collegiate seasons for the George Mason Patriots. He appeared as a reliever in 37 of his 52 overall appearances, turning in an 8-4 record and a 3.94 ERA. He whiffed 156 in 152 1/3 innings, with a 1.44 WHIP. Follow O’Grady on Twitter @COGrady38.

In the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Southern California chose O’Grady in the 10th round, with the 327th overall selection. After signing for $50,000, he joined the Orem Owlz in the rookie-level Pioneer League. O’Grady appeared 13 times in relief, striking out 14 and allowing a 1.83 WHIP in 15 innings.

As a 327th overall pick, O’Grady is one of nine to eventually make his way to the major leagues. The group is led by Rod Beck (1986, Oakland Athletics, 11.4 career WAR), Jeff Brantley (1984, Montreal Expos, 11.3 WAR), and Mickey Hatcher (1974, Houston Astros, 2.9 WAR).

Over the four seasons following his selection, O’Grady worked his way up through the Angels’ system. He made stops for the single-A Burlington Bees in the Midwest League, the high-A Inland Island 66ers, in the high-A California League, the double-A Arkansas Travelers in the Texas League, and the triple-A Salt Lake Bees in the Pacific Coast League.

Just into the 2017 season the Angels granted O’Grady his outright release. On April 8th, two days after he found himself unemployed, the Miami Marlins signed him through free agency.

Over the following two months, O’Grady slung for the PCL’s New Orleans Baby Cakes. After three mostly ineffective relief appearances, he started nine games as part of the rotation.

As a starter for the Cakes, O’Grady held opponents to a .218/.277/.353 slashline, a 2.91 ERA, and a 1.058 WHIP. He was 2-5, striking out 45 in 46 1/3 innings. Whatever he was doing, it was good enough for the Miami Marlins to promote O’Grady to the major leagues for his debut performance on July 8th. He earned a victory, plating 48-of-81 pitches and striking out four San Francisco Giants in a 5-4 Miami Marlins victory. He struck out four and surrendered three runs on five hits and two walks.

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O’Grady finished the season with a 2-1 record and a 4.36 ERA, striking out 30 in 33 innings. He also posted a concerning 1.545 WHIP over his 13 appearances, including six starts. His best start of the year was on July 27th, when he tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out five Reds in a 4-1 win over Cincinnati (see above).

O’Grady started the 2018 campaign on the Miami Marlins opening day roster. He was to serve as a middle-reliever and spot starter as needed, and pitched in eight of Miami’s first 16 games. He wouldn’t pitch at any level again through the end of the season due to a left shoulder sprain.

O’Grady threw 137 pitches to that point, racking up a 6.43 ERA on seven hits and four walks in seven innings. He struck out eight batters. Placed on the 10-day DL on April 19th and transferred to the 60-day DL on June 15th, he was outrighted to the minors on October 12th. On November 2nd, he elected to test free agency.

Still technically a rookie at 28-years-of-age, O’Grady is free to sign with any organization.

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