Miami Marlins Prospect Anthony Maldonado: Eyes on the Prize

Anthony Maldonado is ready for the next step.

Last offseason, Marlin Maniac published a 287-part series on every player to appear in any game at any level in the system. This season, we’re going to repeat that in an exclusive 274-part series, starting today with the Miami Marlins 11th-round selection in the 2019 draft, right-handed pitcher Anthony Omar Maldonado.

Anthony Maldonado is a 6’4″, 200 lb. Bethune-Cookman product originally from West Palm Beach, Florida. Born on February 6th, 1998, he put up a nice 18-11 record and a 3.22 ERA over 39 collegiate Division I starts. Even more promisingly, he struck out just over a batter per inning through his collegiate career, whiffing 232 in 231 2/3 innings. His K-rate went up every season with the Wildcats, from 6.36 in 2017 to 10.41 in 2018 and 10.73 this season pre-draft. Prior to the 2019 season, he was named the pre-season MEAC Pitcher of the Year. He joins current Miami Marlins prospect Demetrius Sims as BCU products. Drafted on June 5th and signed on June 11th, he was assigned with the Rookie-level GCL Marlins in the Gulf Coast League on June 24th.

Maldonado is in good company hailing from West Palm Beach. If he gets to the majors, he’ll be the 24th from the town to get that far, including Robby Thompson, Dante Bichette, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Eleven players taken 321st off the board have advanced to the majors, led by Corey Hart (2000, Milwaukee Brewers, 14.4 WAR, pictured) and Jim Deshaies (1978, Montreal Expos, 11.9). After a limited look in 2019, it’s not a big stretch to think that Maldonado could one day join the “321 Club.”

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 18: Corey Hart #27 of the Seattle Mariners leaves the game with an injury after stealing second base during the fourth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins on May 18, 2014 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Mariners defeated the Twins 6-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

And again, it’s just a very small sample size that we have available for Maldonado, at the professional level anyway. He got into 10 games in relief, going 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA during his time while striking out 15 in 11 1/3 innings and registering a 0.618 WHIP. He only walked one batter.

RHP Anthony Maldonado, the #Marlins 11th rounder, with a strikeout @jdherns30 #GCL pic.twitter.com/bSKbwaVB5h
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 3, 2019

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The best of all of Maldonado’s impressive outings was probably on July 3rd, in an 8-2 victory against the GCL Cardinals. Maldonado came in to pitch the eighth inning and protect a 6-2 lead. He ended up tossing two perfect innings, including four strikeouts. See Joe Frisaro’s tweet, above, for a short video.

Opponents hit .150 off Maldonado, with just one extra-base hit (a double). He put in his reps and did his part to help the rookie-level club to win the GCL Eastern Division with a 28-22 record.

It’s not a great stretch to consider that Maldonado may start the 2020 campaign with the Single-A Clinton LumberKings in the Midwest League. It’s as likely that he begins with the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs, in the New York-Penn League. Maldonado’s best-case long-term career path puts him in Miami Marlins Spring Training in 2022, but more likely in 2023.

Time will tell for Maldonado. Tune in tomorrow as Pete Zehler, The Voice of the Batavia Muckdogs, makes his Marlin Maniac debut with Edgar Martinez’ season review. In the meantime, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep up with the Miami Marlins. Thanks for reading.

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