Miami Marlins Complete 2018 System Review: Rafael Eysseric

Rafael Eysseric has completed two professional seasons with the Miami Marlins, and is still just 18-years-old.

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 244 of 286.

Rafael Eysseric is a 6′, 170 lb. right-handed hitting and throwing pitcher from Aguadulce, Panama, population 8,703. If Eysseric ever makes it to the majors, he’d be the fifth native of Agualdulce to get that far. Preceding him were pitchers Juan Berenguer, Davis Romero, and Ariel Jurado, as well as first baseman Carlos Lee.

Eysseric was born on June 27th, 2000, and signed his first professional deal on October 13th, 2016 with the Miami Marlins. He joined the GCL Marlins in the Florida-based rookie-level Gulf Coast League in December for training, and later made his pro debut with the DSL Marlins, in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 2017.

Eysseric’s first exposure to the pros wasn’t bad. He was 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA in 35 1/3 innings, while starting in six of his 15 appearances. He struck out 25 and walked only 12, holding the opposition to a .252 average and a 1.25 WHIP.

It should be noted that players who begin their professional career in the Dominican Summer League are mostly comprised of the low-risk, high-reward variety. That being said, a DSL player’s odds of someday making the major leagues is understandably low. Eysseric began his age-18 season for the DSL Marlins in 2018.

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Eysseric didn’t make a start for DSL in 2018, instead coming on in relief 11 times. Over 20 innings, he struck out 16 while walking as many, although he only allowed eight earned runs on 13 hits. So despite his solid .191 opposing batting average, he still surrendered a 1.45 WHIP.

Eysseric went 2-1 with a save and a 3.60 ERA for DSL in 2018. That said, control was an issue. Eysseric only pitched one “clean” inning through the season, on August 4th. That day, the Marlins defeated the DSL Astros, 2-0, and Eysseric picked up the win by pitching a perfect sixth inning. In every other inning pitched, he either surrendered a walk, a hit, or hit a batter.

It’s still to early to tell what sort of talent the Miami Marlins have in Eysseric. Expect the organization to give him a look with the GCL Marlins in 2019.

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