Marlins Trade Prospect James Nelson to Yankees for LHP Stephen Tarpley

On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami Marlins have reportedly traded third baseman James Nelson to the New York Yankees.

James Nelson had been a part of the Marlins organization since joining the team after the 2016 MLB Amateur Entry Draft, in the 15th round. The Stone Mountain, GA native made the 2017 mid-season All Star team in the South Atlantic League with the Greensboro Grasshoppers. He hit .309/.354/.456 in 102 contests.

In return, Miami has reportedly gained left-handed pitcher Stephen Tarpley. A six-foot-one, 185 lb. reliever, Tarpley has a 1-0 career record at the major league level with the Yankees, with a 5.96 ERA and 47 K’s in 33 2/3 innings.

A Gilbert AZ native, Tarpley was originally drafted in the 2011 draft by the Cleveland Indians in the eighth round, and later in the 2013 draft by the Baltimore Orioles in round three. Before making his way to the Yankees, he also appeared in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. Now 26-years-old, Tarpley is expected to be placed on the 40-man roster.

According to MLB Savant, Tarpley is reliant on a three-pitch mix, the slider (47.4 percent), a sinker (32.2 percent), and a four-seam fastball (18.3 percent).

The Marlins moved reliever Brian Moran off the roster and designated him for assignment. Moran made his major league debut last season for Miami, in his 11th professional season. Notably, his first major league strikeout was that of his brother, Colin, a player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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This trade was in marked opposition to most of Miami’s recent moves, which had seen them trade away two major league level relievers, in Austin Brice and Kyle Keller, for teenaged prospects. Keller went to the Los Angeles Angels for Jose Estrada, and Brice was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Anguedis Santos.

Tarpley’s 1.84 WHIP notwithstanding, the southpaw has a career 1.18 WHIP through parts of seven seasons in the minor leagues, with an 8.6 K/9 rate. In 2015, he was named to the Low-A All Star team while pitching for the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League. He was 11-4 with a 2.48 ERA over 20 starts, along with 105 K’s in 116 frames. You can follow him on Instagram @stephentarpley2.

We’ll keep watch for further developments from the ownership group in Miami. In the meantime, keep checking here for all your Marlins news.