Florida / Miami Marlins All-Time Top 40 Players: Part 2

39. Pat Rapp (5.3)

Another “original” Marlin, Pat Rapp was chosen by the Florida Marlins with the 10th pick of the 1992 expansion draft from the San Francisco Giants. He was not a part of the club’s initial Opening Day roster, starting instead with their triple-A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League, the Edmonton Trappers.

A 6’3″, 195 lb. right-handed starter, Rapp was chosen in the 15th round of the 1989 draft by the Giants, and had just started his major league career when taken in the expansion draft. In three appearances for San Francisco, including two starts, Rapp was 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA.

After starting 1993 with the Trappers, Rapp joined the Florida Marlins rotation midseason, and was good for 16 starts. He was 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.489 WHIP. His 106 ERA+ indicates that he was better than the league average pitcher. In fact, all four of Florida’s qualified relievers topped the 100 mark, joined by the Rapp as the only starter (Charlie Hough was right on the nose, with an even 100 in the metric).

The strike-shortened 1994 campaign would see Rapp rank second amongst the club starters with a 113 ERA+, along with a 7-8 record in 23 starts and a 3.85 ERA. Never considered a “strikeout artist,” Rapp nevertheless led the 1994 team with 75 K’s.

Going again by ERA+, Rapp posted his signature year in 1995, with a mark of 122, the best from amongst the Florida Marlins starting staff. Second on the team to John Burkett‘s 188 1/3 innings, Rapp tossed 167 1/3 while tying for the team-lead with 14 victories. He was 14-7 with a 3.44 ERA and 102 K’s. Rapp’s 1.398 WHIP was the best mark of his career.

In 1996, Rapp fell off to the tune of an 8-16 mark, with a commensurate 5.10 ERA and an ERA+ of just 80. His 1.694 WHIP was also the worst of his career. After starting the 1997 with a 4-6 record and a 4.77 ERA, the Florida Marlins traded Rapp to the San Francisco Giants for minor leaguers Brandon Leese and Bobby Rector.

Ultimately, Rapp pitched another five seasons in the major leagues, later joining the Kansas City Royals, the Boston Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Anaheim Angels before leaving the game at the age of 33.