Batavia Muckdogs Preview: News & Notes From the System

The Miami Marlins will close their nine-game homestand with a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting tonight at 7:10 PM EDT.

The Miami Marlins will rely on Trevor Richards (3-6, 3.31), Pablo Lopez (4-5, 4.26), and Sandy Alcantara (3-6, 3.67) to continue the solid run of Quality Starts from starting pitching. Aside from those three, regular starters Caleb Smith and Jose Urena currently sit on the 10-day injured list. In their place, Elieser Hernandez (0-1, 5.87) and Jordan Yamamoto (1-0, 0.00) continue to hold down their spots. It’s still unknown if either will make a second start.

Here’s a few other things from around the system.

The Miami Marlins signed free agent third baseman Yangervis Solarte to a minor league deal. Solarte had hit .205 in 73 at bats for the San Francisco Giants earlier this season, and has appeared in the major leagues in each of the past six years. He was assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads.

Shortstop Eddy Alvarez was promoted from the Hammerheads to the New Orleans Baby Cakes, and number three Miami Marlins prospect Monte Harrison was dropped from the Cakes to the Sharks in his roster spot. RHP Josh Roeder was moved up a level from Jupiter to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Left-fielder Michael Donadio was released from the organization after hitting .194/.250/.361 between the Hammerheads and the Clinton LumberKings. RHP Jake Norton was also released. After getting signed in the 32nd round after the 2018 draft, Norton pitched 3 1/3 innings for the GCL Marlins in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League last season, allowing two hits and five walks. The Miami Marlins also released catcher Miguel Pena. Pena hit .242/.313/.265 last season between the two Marlins rookie levels.

In addition, the Batavia Muckdogs begin play tonight, in the short-season-A New York-Penn League. They’ll open a two-game series versus the Auburn Doubledays at Dwyer Stadium. The NYPL plays a 76 game season in 81 days, to include an all-star break. That’s not very many days off for a bunch of guys on a long bus ride, but I digress.

More from Marlins Prospects

• Miami Marlins: Checking in on prospects from the 2022 Arizona Fall League
• Miami Marlins: How top 2022 MLB Draft picks performed this season
• What’s wrong with Kahlil Watson?
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 2
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

The Muckdogs are entering their seventh season as a Miami Marlins affiliate. They’ve also been associated with the St. Louis Cardinals (2007-2012), the Philadelphia Phillies (1988-2006), the Cleveland Indians (1976-1986, 1957-1959, 1942-1951), the New York Mets (1972-1974), the Detroit Tigers (1968-1971) and the Pirates (1961-1965, 1952-1953). They won their last league title in 2008.

Before they were known as the Muckdogs, the club from Batavia has gone by several other names. They were known as the Clippers from their beginning in 1939 through 1953, then again from 1988 through 1997. They’ve also gone by the Trojans (1966-1987), the Pirates (1961-1965) and the Indians (1957-1959).

Look for former DSL standouts Dalvy Rosario and Luis Palacios, as well as several who got their feet wet in 2018 with the GCL Marlins. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll get the first look at a few guys who got drafted just last week for the Miami Marlins. The team is managed by former major leaguer Tom Lawless. Check out this great video by the Batavian for more on the 2019 Muckdogs.