Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: OF Griffin Conine

Acquired by the Miami Marlins at the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline, 24-year-old outfielder Griffin Conine enjoyed an impressive first season with the organization that saw the former second round pick reach Double-A for the first time. The Marlins No. 20 prospect, Conine is now on the verge of a potential big league debut in 2022.

Miami Marlins 2021 Season Review: OF Griffin Conine

Beginning the 2021 season with High-A Beloit, Conine would get off to a fast start to the year posting a .274/.386/.571 slash line across the month of May, even ending the month on a 10-game hitting streak. That success would continue with the Snappers into the month of June where Conine would slash .247/.386/.559 with nine home runs across 26 games.

After a phenomenal start to the season, Conine would go-on to post a combined 1.025 WHIP with eight home runs across his first 16 games during the month of July, and because of it would earn a call-up to Double-A Pensacola mid-month.

Despite a slow start in Double-A, the 24-year-old kept hitting home runs with the Blue Wahoos by launching 11 across his first 31 games, and would enter the final month of the season with a .725 OPS in Double-A. Conine however struggled across his final 11 games of the year offensively, and appeared in his last game with the Blue Wahoos on September 15.

One of the top home run hitters in all the minor leagues, Conine appeared in a total of 108 games between High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola during the 2021 season where he slashed a combined .218/.330/.530 with 36 home runs and 84 RBI’s. Setting career-high’s in both, Conine also posted a combined .860 OPS between the two, as well as 49 of his 86 hits going for extra-bases.

The 24-year-old did struggle with swing-and-miss at times however as he struck out a total of 185 times, but did draw a total of 58 walks as well. Defensively, Conine impressed at both levels with strong fielding percentages, as well as a combined 10 outfield assists between left and right field.

The Miami Marlins No. 20 prospect, Conine was not added to the 40-man roster at season’s end, and because of it will be eligible to be selected in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft by other teams. If not selected, Conine will return to the Marlins in 2022, likely beginning the year in either Double-A or Triple-A.