Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: LHP Jesus Luzardo

Out of the multiple trades made by the Miami Marlins at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, arguably the most-notable return for the club in a deal was receiving left-hander Jesus Luzardo from the Oakland Athletics. A former top prospect with Oakland, Luzardo will be an important part of the Marlins pitching staff going forward.

Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: LHP Jesus Luzardo

After splitting time as a starter and reliever with the Athletics for the early-part of the 2021 season, Luzardo would make his Marlins debut on August 2 as a starter allowing three runs across five innings.

The left-hander would however go-on to struggle across his next four outings allowing a combined 21 runs across 17.1 innings, a stretch in which Luzardo walked 14 batters compared to only 15 strikeouts. Luzardo would however finish the month of August with arguably his best start of the season going six scoreless innings where he allowed only one hit with eight strikeouts.

Luzardo would go-on to struggle at times across the final month of the season, but would post two back-to-back strong starts to finish the year, which included a season-high 11 strikeouts in his final outing on October 2.

In all, the 24-year-old made a total of 12 starts with the Marlins in 2021 where he posted a combined 4-5 record with a 6.44 ERA across 57.1 innings pitched. Posting a 1.605 WHIP, Luzardo did strike out a total of 58 batters, but also struggled with command by walking a total of 32 batters, which resulted in a 12.1 BB%.

A player who has split time as a starter and reliever before joining the Miami Marlins, Luzardo was used more as a full-time starter with Miami in 2021. Having experience in both roles, the southpaw will likely begin the 2022 season in the big leagues, but a role in either the rotation or bullpen remains to be seen.