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Miami Marlins Spring Training: What Will the Bullpen Look Like?

By Kevin Kraczkowski

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 13: Merandy Gonzalez #77 of the Miami Marlins pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during game two of a doubleheader at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 13: Merandy Gonzalez #77 of the Miami Marlins pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during game two of a doubleheader at SunTrust Park on August 13, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Miami Marlins
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins pitches in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 29, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Adam Conley

As everyone is already tracking, Adam Conley was a starter for his first three major league seasons with the Miami Marlins. In 2018, he was looking pretty bad as a starter through his first three games with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, in the triple-A Pacific Coast League. Through his first 7 1/3 innings, he had a .488 opposing batting average and a 19.64 ERA.

When Conley returned to the Miami Marlins as a reliever, starting on May 21st, everything was different. Each of his four offerings had increased by an average of 6 MPH, and all of his other metrics followed. He spent the rest of the season with the Miami Marlins, and put up a career-best 1.064 WHIP and a 3.60 FIP.

Miami Marlins
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Riley Ferrell #70 of the Houston Astros poses for a portrait at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 21, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Riley Ferrell

Riley Ferrell hasn’t appeared at the major league level through his four-year minor league career. Chosen by the Miami Marlins in the MLB portion of the rule 5 draft, he will remain with the parent club through the 2019 campaign, or be ceded back to the Houston Astros.

2018 saw Ferrell with Houston’s top two minor league affiliates. He racked up a 4.53 ERA, 67 K’s in 51 2/3 innings, and a 1.587 WHIP. More of the same would be enough to stick with the Marlins.

Jose Quijada

Jose Quijada has spent five seasons in the Miami Marlins system below the major league level, and has impressed consistently. He’s played at every minor league level excepting the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs, and gone 17-14 with a 2.79 ERA, 282 K’s in 251 1/3 innings, and a 1.082 WHIP.

The Marlins need a lefty out of the bullpen, and Quijada fits the bill. Look for him to make the team.

Miami Marlins
ST PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 29: Sergio Romo #54 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 29, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Sergio Romo

Sergio Romo has an 11-season major league career under his belt. Nine seasons for the San Francisco Giants followed by time spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s 38-31 with a 2.86 ERA and 109 saves to his credit, with 632 strikeouts in 562 2/3 innings. There’s no question that he joins the team for the duration.

Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 5: Drew Steckenrider #71 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park on September 5, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Drew Steckenrider

Drew Steckenrider has 128 strikeouts in 98 major league innings over his first two seasons with the Miami Marlins. Although he’s probably the most dependable reliever remaining, it’s unlikely he takes up the mantle of “closer,” as it’s been stated the Miami Marlins will not name one for the 2019 season.

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