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Who Was the Miami Marlins Worst Pitcher in 2019?

By Kevin Kraczkowski

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 25: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on June 25, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 25: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on June 25, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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Miami Marlins
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 17: Adam Conley #61 of the Miami Marlins pitches against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 17, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

There was a lot of competition for the title of “Worst 2019 Miami Marlins Pitcher,” but there was one who was a cut above (below) the rest.

With a team that posted a 57-105 record through the 2019 regular season, it’s no wonder that the Miami Marlins had several pitchers posting well-below replacement level numbers. Of the 26 total players to throw a pitch for the Marlins this season (including backup catcher Bryan Holaday), 10 of them graded out with below replacement level figures. Before digging into the “also rans,” which pitchers weren’t half bad? Parenthetical figures reflect this season’s WAR output.

Sandy Alcantara (2.9)

The undisputed ace of the staff with an all-star level second half of the season, Sandy Alcantara will enter the 2020 campaign as the heir apparent to the Opening Day start. Seven of his last 10 starts this year were “Quality Starts,” as he struck out 58 in 69 1/3 innings while holding opponents to a 1.039 WHIP.

Miami Marlins
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 28: Pitcher Caleb Smith #31 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Caleb Smith (1.8)

Caleb Smith‘s 2019 footprint was roughly opposite Alcantara’s. Smith started the season with above average numbers and closed the season on a down note. Over his last four starts, he posted a 7.32 ERA and walked nearly as many (11) as he struck out (12).

Zac Gallen (1.3)

Zac Gallen will go on to become “the one who got away,” joining fellow Miami Marlins expatriates as Luis Castillo and Chris Paddack. In only seven starts for the Marlins, he ranked third on the team with his WAR total. Miami traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jazz Chisholm.

Jarlin Garcia (1.3)

Jarlin Garcia‘s 2019 featured a drop in WHIP from 1.318 last season to a 1.105 figure this season. At 141, his ERA+ topped the Miami Marlins by a wide margin.

Trevor Richards (1.2)

Trevor Richards was 7-21 over parts of two seasons pitching for the Miami Marlins, but don’t let that fool you. His 233 K’s over 238 1/3 innings with the team give him an 8.8 career K/9, or just outside the Marlins top 10 all-time. Since joining the Tampa Bay Rays, he’s gone 3-0 with a 1.200 WHIP and 4.8 strikeouts per walk issued.

Other Miami Marlins Pitchers Above “Replacement Level”

Tyler Kinley (0.8), Jordan Yamamoto (0.8), Nick Anderson (0.5), Pablo Lopez (0.4), Austin Brice (0.4), Sergio Romo (0.3), Elieser Hernandez (0.2), Kyle Keller (0.2), Jeff Brigham (0.1), and Brian Moran (0.1).

Vote on who you think is the worst, here.

So, who’s left? The following 10 pitchers all graded out below replacement level with the WAR metric. For comparison’s sake, a team made up of “replacement level” players would post a 47-115 record over a regulation MLB season. Click the link below to read on.

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