Miami Marlins: Why LHP Jake Eder will Rise as a Prospect this Season

When looking at the Miami Marlins top 30 prospects, there are obviously multiple players that stick out as future stars in the major leagues. Obviously the top names of Sanchez, Bleday, Meyer, and more stick out the most, but there is a name lower down on the list that will be a name to watch this season. Why you ask? Because he is about to rise up the prospect ranks this season.

That name set for a rise this season is Miami Marlins #24 prospect LHP Jake Eder. When looking at his path to the big leagues a little deeper, it’s clear why the 22-year old Marlins prospect has a lot of people in the Miami organization excited about the future.

Eder was originally draft eligible out of high school in 2017, where he was rated as one of the top LHP’s in that draft. Projected as a high draft pick, Eder decided to attend Vanderbilt emerging as one of the top pitchers in college baseball over the years.

Starting in 9 of 11 games during the 2018 season, Eder struggled during his freshman season with the Commodores posting a 1-4 record with a 5.45 ERA. While his 10.1 K/9 was certainly eye-popping, there were also a few notable areas of improvement, in particular a 6 BB/9.

After his freshman season, Eder played with the Newport Gulls in the New England Collegiate Baseball League over the summer where he made five starts going 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA. It was encouraging to see notably over the summer of 2018 the BB/9 go down, as well as the K/9 go up.

Eder however now needed a bounce-back season during his sophomore season at Vanderbilt, and he would get it. However, it would come in a different role.

The Commodores used Eder solely as a reliever during the 2019 season, a move that worked for both sides. Vanderbilt won the 2019 national championship, and Eder excelled in the bullpen going 2-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 19 appearances, even recording a 3-Inning save in the championship game of the 2019 College World Series.

Eder then continued that momentum during the summer of 2019 playing in the Cape Cod League with the Orleans Firebirds posting a 1.20 ERA over four appearances. Carrying over that success from the previous year to the 2020 college baseball season, Eder cracked the Commodores weekend rotation going 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four starts before the season was cancelled.

LHP Jake Eder is set to rise as a prospect this season.

As mentioned previously, Eder was selected by the Miami Marlins in the 4th Round of the 2020 MLB Draft. Displaying a fastball that consistently sits anywhere from 92-95 MPH, as well as a plus curveball, it’s clear why Eder could’ve been considered a steal in the 4th Round for the Marlins.

Eder still has a few notable areas to improve on, in particular his 4.6 BB/9 combined during his three college seasons, but the pieces are there for a special rise this season. At 6’4, Eder’s size can create tricky angles for hitters, and evident by a career 10.2 K/9 during his college career, Eder has the ability to strike out batters, while also limiting hits and being excellent at not allowing the home run ball.

Eder has only made one professional start so far, but it was one to remember for the 22-year old southpaw. Starting the season in Double-A with Pensacola, Eder went five innings against the Mississippi Braves a week ago only allowing 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, and 12 K’s. If that first career start isn’t one that shows how a prospect has significant upside, then I don’t know what does.

Eder will surely continue to develop over the next year or two, but the upside is evident. While he might not be a future ace in the Miami Marlins rotation, Eder has the potential to be a special talent, and should be set to rise up the prospect ranks over the next year.