Miami Marlins Bullpen 2021: RHP Lukas Schiraldi

Lukas Schiraldi joined the Miami Marlins system from the Mariners in the David Phelps trade.

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 230 of 286.

Lukas O’Neal Schiraldi is a 6’6″, 210 lb. right-handed reliever from Austin, Texas, population 950,715. The city has produced 37 major leaguers to date, including current former Miami Marlins centerfielder Justin Ruggiano.

Schiraldi has major league pedigree. His father, Calvin, pitched eight major league seasons between the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres, and the Texas Rangers. Lukas was born on July 25th, 1993, and attended St. Michael’s HS in his hometown. In the 2013 MLB Amateur Entry Draft, the Washington Nationals chose him in the 35th round out of Navarro Junior College.

Schiraldi didn’t sign a deal with the Nats, instead joining the Texas Longhorns for a season of Division I ball. He was 7-3 with a 4.08 ERA over 13 starts. The Seattle Mariners chose him in the 15th round in 2014, 441st overall.

Members of the “441 Club” have historically made it to the majors nine percent of the time, in five-of-54 instances. The group is led by Josh Towers (1996, Baltimore Orioles, 2.2 career WAR).

After coming to terms with the Mariners, Schiraldi was assigned to the short-season-A Everett AquaSox, in the Northwest League. He started eight games, and posted a 5.18 ERA with 29 K’s in 24 1/3 innings of work.

In 2015, Schiraldi joined the Clinton LumberKings in the single-A Midwest League. He started 26 times and went 4-13 with a 5.19 ERA and 99 whiffs in 126 2/3 innings. With Clinton again the following year, Schiraldi racked up a much-improved 2.68 ERA and a 1.368 WHIP with 98 K’s in only 74 innings. Here’s Schiraldi in 2017 with the Modesto Nuts courtesy of Baseball Census.

Schiraldi started 2017 with the high-A Modesto Nuts in the California League, where he struck out 63 in only 37 1/3 innings. That’s a 15.2 K/9 rate, very solid despite a 1.500 WHIP and 27 walks allowed. On July 20th, the Mariners traded Schiraldi with Pablo Lopez, Brandon Miller, and Brayan Hernandez to the Miami Marlins for David Phelps.

After joining the Marlins’ system, Schiraldi was assigned to their high-A team, the Jupiter Hammerheads in the Florida State League. He continued to make guys miss, with 17 K’s in 14 2/3 innings of work before the close of the season.

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Schiraldi remained with the high-A club in 2018, where he spent the first two-and-a-half months of the season. His efforts yielded 30 K’s in 26 2/3 innings, and 10 saves along with a 2-2 record and a 1.69 ERA. Schiraldi also turned in a much improved 1.050 WHIP during his time with the Sharks. He was named to the FSL Mid-Season All-Star Team.

On June 20th, Schiraldi was promoted to the double-A level for the first time, with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the Southern League. His results were less impressive at the higher level, an 8.66 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. Schiraldi also walked 12.2 batters per nine innings, an alarming 24 against only 18 strikeouts.

Schiraldi was impressive enough at high-A that we may regard his double-A debut as an aberration. He’s still rostered with the Shrimp, and should remain with them through the 2019 season. His below-average command could hurt his chances , but a good season could see him looking at a seat in the Miami Marlins bullpen after the roster expansion.

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