A hidden gem starting pitcher on the Miami Marlins

One of the things that the Tampa Bay Rays have been known for, is seemingly finding strong pitching from nowhere. Well, Peter Bendix is apparently taking this skill over to the Miami Marlins. The timing is especially right with some pitchers out for the season due to injury and others traded out of town. What are we to think of Valente Bellozo? Things are starting to look very interesting with him...

New Miami Marlins starting pitcher Valente Bellozo looks intriguing.

Valente Bellozo is just 24 years old and signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros on July 3, 2017. He was actually pretty impressive. He delivered a 1.74 ERA in Rookie ball in 2018, doing this in 14 games (8 of them started) and 51.2 innings pitched. He was just 18 years old at the time. He had 7.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 as well, which was more mediocre.

Moving on to different A-ball levels, he delivered a 1.70 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 14 games (5 starts). He had very impressive advanced metrics this time around... delivering 10.6 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9. The 2020 Minor League season didn't take place due to COVID-19. Bellozo's injury cost him the 2021 season. He was finally back for the 2022 season and he didn't disappoint. He delivered a 2.59 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) and 48.2 innings pitched. He did this in Rookie and A-ball, and also had 10.0 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.

Valente Bellozo moved on to A+ and AA in 2023, delivering a 5.55 ERA in 26 games (16 starts). He still put up a solid 8.6 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 as well. Getting traded to the Miami Marlins for the 2024 season, he delivered a 4.64 ERA with 9.8 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9, in 14 games and 13 starts. The advanced metrics clearly overshadowed his ERA, and so he was given a shot in the Major Leagues.

Finally in the Major Leagues with the Miami Marlins, Valente Bellozo delivered a 3.05 ERA/3.46 FIP, with 8.3 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 4 games and 20.2 innings pitched. He currently has 8.3 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9, and he may in fact have earned himself a permanent spot in the rotation.