Miami Marlins Release Outfielder Cameron Baranek

The Miami Marlins have released outfielder Cameron Baranek from the Jupiter Hammerheads.

In the ninth round of the 2017 draft, the Miami Marlins chose outfielder Cameron Baranek out of Hope International University. Taken 269th overall off the board, the 5’10”, 195 lb. lefty-hitting outfielder turned in a .364/.486/.672 line in 53 NAIA level contests for the Royals. He also stole 20 bases and drew 43 walks against only 32 strikeouts.

It’s been quite a journey, quite a road. I wouldn’t say it’s been the straightest path, but it’s the path I would choose day in and day out over and over again. – Baranek, to Brian Whitehead at OCR

The Miami Marlins were paying attention, and gave Baranek a $125,000 signing bonus to play in their minor league system. In 29 games with the rookie-level GCL Marlins, in the Gulf Coast League to close out the 2017 campaign, he went 26-for-111 with 22 RBI and 30 K’s. Before the season ended, Baranek was suspended for a drug violation.

Cameron Baranek of the Marlins was banned 50 games after testing positive for stimulants. Drafted in the ninth round last June, the 22-year-old was hitting .243 with 22 RBIs in 28 games in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. – Associated Press, via Fox Sports

2018 would see Baranek split his season between the single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers in the South Atlantic League and the high-A Hammerheads in the Florida State League. In 28 games for the Hoppers, he hit .319 with four long-balls and 15 RBI. After his promotion to the higher level, he hit .208 in 54 games, with 60 whiffs in 212 plate appearances.

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Baranek was retained at the high-A level to commence the 2019 campaign. He’s played in 38 contests for the Sharks, and managed to collect 22 hits in 131 at bats – a .168 success rate. Although he stole six bases in seven tries, he only drew eight free passes against 44 strikeouts.

Baranek had led Hope International to the NAIA World Series in his only season with the college. After his outright release, he’s free to pursue a contract with any organization.

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