Miami Marlins Spring Training Battles 2020: Rotation Back Half

Jordan Yamamoto flashed onto the scene in 2019 with a sterling start versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Yamamoto tossed seven scoreless innings in his Major League debut. He then followed that performance with seven more. Through his first six starts with the Marlins, Yamamoto was 4-0 with just six earned runs in 34 innings pitched.

The 23-year-old came back to earth over his next seven starts, losing five straight decisions and seeing his ERA balloon to 4.87. Yamamoto finished 2019 strong, though, striking out 10 over six scoreless innings of work in Citi Field versus the Mets. He finished 2019 with a 4-5 record, posting a 4.46 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 82 strikeouts over 78 2/3 innings pitched.

If he can find his early form during spring training, Yamamoto will be a lock for the starting rotation. He’s likely to get slotted into that No. 4 starter role.

Elieser Hernandez is the other prime candidate for the backend of the rotation. In 2019, Hernandez went 3-5 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 85 strikeouts over 82 1/3 innings pitched. The big problem for the 24-year-old Venezuelan righty was the penchant for giving up the long ball. In 2019, Hernandez surrendered 20 home runs. His 2.2 home runs per nine innings was the highest such mark on the team.

Hernandez made 15 starts in 2019 and made six appearances out of the bullpen. Those six appearances didn’t go well, as he posted a 0-1 record with eight earned runs over 7 2/3 innings pitched. Although the numbers as a starter were better, Hernandez will need to prove to Marlins manager Don Mattingly that he’s a long-term starter for this club. If not, he may be slotted into a long reliever role for 2020.

Robert Dugger was called up to the big club in August of 2019 as an injury replacement. Dugger started the first game of a double-header in New York, but was knocked around for six earned runs in five innings pitched. The 24-year-old showed his mettle with a solid bounce-back performance in his next start. Versus the Cincinnati Reds at the end of the month, Dugger tossed seven scoreless innings.

Dugger finished 2019 with a 0-4 record with the Marlins, posting a 5.77 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 34 1/3 innings pitched. One of his major issues late last season was surrendering walks. Dugger issued 17 free passes in 2019. He’ll need to demonstrate stronger command during spring training if he’s going to stick with the club.

On Twitter this offseason, Dugger showed he’s added 15 lbs of muscle and added several MPH to his stuff. That would certainly help him stick with the big club.

Jose Urena bounced between the bullpen and the starting rotation last season. A regular starter prior to 2019, Urena finished the season with a 4-10 record. He posted a 5.21 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 62 strikeouts over 84 2/3 innings pitched. He made 13 starts and 11 appearances out of the bullpen, including finishing eight games and registering three saves.

Urena struggled in 2019 after pitching well in the two years prior. In 2018, Urena finished with a 9-12 record, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 130 strikeouts over 174 innings pitched. In 2017, his record was 14-7 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 113 strikeouts over 169 2/3 innings pitched.

If the Miami Marlins keep Jose Urena in 2020, it seems as if it will be as a starter according to MLB.com reporter Joe Frisaro.

The Marlins have several high-end pitching prospects nearing the Major Leagues. Sixto Sanchez, Edward Cabrera and Nick Neidert are all among those who should be ready to make their MLB debut at some point in 2020.

Sanchez is the team’s No. 1 prospect and No. 22 overall according to MLB Pipeline. Sanchez has electric stuff and seems poised to push for a Rookie of the Year award. In 2019, Sanchez was 8-4 at Double-A with a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 97 strikeouts over 103 innings pitched. A huge spring might see him break camp with the big club, but it’s more than likely he’ll start at Triple-A.

Cabrera is Miami’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. At 6’4″, he towers on the mound and slings a fastball between 94 and 97 MPH. He can hit triple digits on the radar gun, too. He has a huge upside, and 2019 saw him go 9-4 with a 2.23 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 116 strikeouts over 96 2/3 innings pitched between High-A and Double-A.

Neidert might be the dark horse pitching prospect. He’s ranked the No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline, but at 23-years-old and with experience pitching at Triple-A, he might be the most ready to contribute for the Marlins. He’s mature and his stuff has great movement. A solid spring might see him steal the No. 5 starter role.

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The wildcard in this race for the backend of the rotation is currently a free agent. Henderson Alvarez has spent the better part of the last several weeks performing for scouts and executives, and posting his workouts on Twitter.

Alvarez spent three seasons with the Miami Marlins from 2013 to 2015. During his time with Miami, he had a 17-17 record and posted a 3.23 ERA and 1.228 WHIP in 312 innings pitched. He was a steady starter for the Fish until a shoulder injury derailed his promising career.

At 29-years-old, Alvarez could be a veteran option for the backend of the rotation, especially if the promising young arms in the system need more seasoning after spring training.

What do you think? Comments are always welcome below, and keep checking back here for all the latest in Marlins news.