Miami Marlins Spring Training: Relief Pitcher Update

Throughout Spring Training 2019, Marlin Maniac is breaking down the possible roster in the leadup to Opening Day.

The Miami Marlins have won four of their 11 games thus far this spring. The games matter less than the experience. It’s the individual plate appearances that make up these players chances to catch on with the parent club. Spring Training serves a dual purpose:

1. Get MLB regulars game ready with action against major league or near-major league talent, and
2. Serves as a “screen-test” for players on the bubble. It’s really a tryout for these guys. Players on the 40-man roster have a clear advantage, but NRI’s have been known to buck the trend.

Marlin Maniac has been breaking down the starting rotation on Mondays, the outfield on Tuesdays, the catchers on Thursday, and the infielders on Fridays. That leaves the bullpen on each Wednesday until Opening Day. After Merandy Gonzalez was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants, there’s currently 20 players trying to make the club, including eight non-roster invitees. (Click the links embedded above to visit the last report for each).

Austin Brice

Austin Brice relieved an ineffective José Ureña with one out in the third inning, after Dexter Fowler got to first on an Austin Dean error in Miami’s 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday. Brice pitched 1 2/3 frames, giving up a single, a double, and a walk, while striking one batter out.

Nick Anderson

Nick Anderson pitched the seventh inning in the Marlins 9-8 walkoff victory against the Nats on Monday. He allowed two hits, including a two-run jack to Jacob Wilson. He also got one batter to strike out. I had Anderson pegged as a guy who was “locked in” when I made my initial projections for the coming season, way back in December.

Adam Conley

Adam Conley inherited a mess from starter Wei-Yin Chen in the Miami Marlins 14-6 loss to the New York Mets last Wednesday. He came in with a runner on second and two runs already in, with only one out in the second inning. Conley induced a ground out from Robinson Cano, then allowed a homer to J.D. Davis. He then struck out Keon Broxton to end the damage, with the Marlins trailing 6-1. Only one of the two runs was credited to Conley.

In the Marlins 6-5 walkoff loss to the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, Conley pitched a perfect fifth inning, ringing one batter up. He’s currently in the mix for the Miami Marlins closer role, along with Sergio Romo, Drew Steckenrider, and Riley Ferrell.

Riley Ferrell

Riley Ferrell relieved Hector Noesi with two out in the sixth inning of the Marlins 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Friday, and induced Trea Turner into a fly out to end the inning. Ferrell also pitched the seventh, allowing a single and striking a batter out.

In yesterday’s Marlins win against the Mets, Ferrell struck out a pair and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings.

Drew Steckenrider

Drew Steckenrider pitched the third inning of the Astros Friday win over the Marlins, and allowed a walk while not striking anyone out.

Two days later, Steckenrider pitched the fourth inning against the Braves. The normally reliable reliever allowed two hits, including a solo homer to Alex Jackson. He also struck out a pair of batters. He’s still considered amongst the frontrunners for the closer role, although Don Mattingly has indicated his plan to use “closer by committee” in 2019.

Jarlin Garcia

Jarlin Garcia struck out a pair in a scoreless eighth inning against the Nats on Friday, allowing one single. In his next appearance, in yesterday’s victory over the Mets, he pitched a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking one out to earn his second win of the spring. Garcia is pitching far better than his 2018 figures thus far through Spring Training.

Tayron Guerrero

Tayron Guerrero pitched the sixth inning against the Cards on Saturday, and walked one in an otherwise perfect inning.

Elieser Hernandez

Elieser Hernandez pitched the final two innings in the Marlins walkoff win against the Nationals, and allowed two runs on one hit and two walks. He struck one batter out, and earned his second victory of the spring for his efforts.

Kyle Keller

Kyle Keller lasted for 2/3 of the eighth inning in Miami’s big loss to the Mets. He walked Quinn Brodey to start the inning, allowed Kevin Kaczmarski to double. Patrick Mazeika was safe on an RBI-fielders choice, then Sam Haggerty flew into a double play. Keller then walked Dario Pizzano and former Miami Marlins prospect Braxton Lee before getting lifted in favor of Ben Meyer. He was eventually responsible for four of the seven runs allowed in the inning.

Keller got another chance later in the week, taking over for Dan Straily with one out in the third inning against the Braves on Sunday. He then got Freddie Freeman to fly out, hit Tyler Flowers with a pitch, and walked Nick Markakis before getting Johan Camargo to fly out to end the frame.

Tyler Kinley

Tyler Kinley pitched in the fourth inning of the Marlins 7-5 loss to the Astros on the last day of February. He struck out a pair, walked one, allowed one hit, and was responsible for one unearned run.

On Sunday, Kinley gave up a solo homer to Adam Duvall, but pitched an otherwise good sixth inning in the Marlins loss to the Braves.

Jose Quijada

Jose Quijada pitched a perfect ninth against the Nats on Friday, striking two batters out. In his next appearance, in yesterday’s victory against the Mets, Quijada struck one batter out and allowed a hit, but no runs in a save situation.

Sergio Romo

Sergio Romo pitched a hitless and scoreless fifth inning on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out two and walking one. So far, he’s struck out five in only two innings of work.