Marlins spring training player to watch: Devin Smeltzer

The Miami Marlins are in full swing for Spring Training and non-roster invitees are hoping to leave a lasting impression. One such huge opportunity for a strong impression is for relief pitcher Devin Smeltzer. Smeltzer pitched 22 innings of work last season for the Marlins, finishing with a 6.45 ERA and a 1.478 WHIP. 

Devin Smeltzer could help the Marlins bullpen if he can bring back his 2022 self

Smeltzer had a great opportunity to show he was able to hold his own in the Marlins pen last season and this Spring Training will be much of the same. In both 2019 and 2022 Smeltzer had solid seasons with the Minnesota Twins throwing 49 and 70.1 innings respectively. In those seasons his ERA averaged around .378 and a 1.2 WHIP, which the Marlins would welcome out of their pen this season. 

Smeltzer can eat innings and would fit in nicely out of the pen if he can prove this spring he has regained that 2022 luster that will go a long way in his attempt to remain on the big league roster. He actually did not perform well in the minor leagues last year either, posting an almost identical ERA at 6.38 and a much higher WHIP at 1.709. 

Smeltzer has an opportunity to show he can be a part of the Marlins bullpen which has had several changes since Peter Bendix took over as president. Bendix is likely weighing his contributions and seeing if he could be a part of the conversation, after he brought him back as a part of a minor league deal. The shallow Marlins minor league talent pool will help Smeltzer staying with the club and possibly bring the next man up. We will see how much action he sees as the Marlins starts Spring Training games on February 23rd.