Develop a Starting Pitcher
Next up for the new era of Miami Marlins baseball? Do something the Marlins have only done once since the last of those 2006 rookie pitchers walked out the door.
Develop a starting pitcher.
The late, great Jose Fernandez is the beginning and end of any conversation about pitcher development since that 2006 season — more specifically, since Ricky Nolasco left midway through Fernandez’s rookie year in 2013. There have been plenty of Miami Marlins clubs with a ton of offensive talent over the last thirteen years. But only two of those teams have had anything approaching a deep, intimidating starting rotation.
Instead, a revolving door of one-year rentals or serviceable journeyman has been the norm. Tom Koehler is actually in the Top 5 all-time in games started for Miami and is just outside the Top 10 in wins. I loved the guy, but that’s, unfortunately, all the proof you need for how good a job this franchise has done developing starters.
Changing that narrative would be a massive step in the right direction. Sandy Alcantara, or maybe someone more under the radar, doesn’t need to become the next Jose Fernandez. But is it too much to ask for a new Nolasco?
No, it isn’t.
Unfortunately, it seemed to have been too much to ask for twelve years worth of Miami Marlins drafts and trades. Granted, the Dodgers haven’t had much better luck coming up with anyone other than Clayton Kershaw, and no one hears their fans complaining. However, that’s the luxury of having one of the largest payrolls in baseball. Small market clubs need to supply most of their own answers when it comes to starting pitching, and Miami has with one massive exception been terrible at that for over a decade.
Showing fans this new ownership group can start turning that around would be quite the feather in their cap. Again, Cy Young candidate not needed. Just someone who can keep his ERA consistently under 4.00 and regularly provide six competitive innings will be fine.