Miami Marlins: Getting to Know RHP Andrew McInvale

The Miami Marlins made the arguably first “major” trade of the 2021 MLB trade season on Tuesday sending OF Corey Dickerson, RP Adam Cimber, and cash to Toronto. In return, the Marlins received veteran utility infielder Joe Panik, who will help Miami in many different roles going forward.

However, the last part of the deal may be the most intriguing when looking at it from the Marlins point of view. That is the acquisition of 24-year old right-handed pitcher Andrew McInvale.

Miami Marlins acquire relief pitcher Andrew McInvale.

While Panik will obviously be the main piece for the Marlins for the remainder of the 2021 season, McInvale may be the most intriguing going forward.

It is understandable if McInvale was an unknown to most Marlins’ fans when the trade was first announced. Not among the Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects, McInvale wasn’t even a high draft pick, but he is a player who can bring many different benefits to the Marlins going forward.

Originally from Austin, TX, McInvale graduated from St. Andrew’s High School where he was a 3-time First-Team All-Conference pitcher posting a 23-6 record with six saves during his high school career. After high school, McInvale chose to attend Baylor, where he struggled during the 2016 season posting a 5.63 ERA across 32 IP, primarily working as a reliever.

McInvale would transfer after his freshman season, going the Junior College route attending Howard College. After impressing playing JUCO ball, McInvale would transfer to Liberty for the 2019 season where he had the undoubtedly best season of his career.

McInvale would star for the Flames in 2019 posting a 10-3 record with a 3.41 ERA working as solely a starting pitcher making 17 starts on the season. Coming off a career-year where he struck out 101 batters compared to 40 walks, the right-hander was selected in the 37th Round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Spending the remainder of the 2019 season in Rookie Ball, McInvale struggled in his first professional action posting a 6.35 ERA across 17 innings pitched. After no 2020 minor league season, McInvale has spent a majority of the 2021 season so far posting a 2.18 ERA through 20.2 IP playing in Double-A with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Looking ahead for the new Miami Marlins relief pitcher, McInvale will remain in Double-A for now playing with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Now seemingly fully a relief pitcher going forward, the 24-year old right-hander will certainly need to improve in some key areas, most notably his ability to limit walks, before potentially reaching the big leagues.

While McInvale might not factor into the Marlins immediate bullpen plans, he could feature a role as early as some point next season. The addition of Panik obviously is the one that sticks out the most currently, but the addition of McInvale is one that could benefit the Marlins bullpen depth for years to come.