Miami Marlins sign first-round draft pick Braxton Garrett
The Marlins hope promising left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett will be a key to long term success.
On Friday, just hours before the deadline for teams to sign this year’s draft picks, the Marlins signed their first-rounder to a $4,145,900 contract, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis.
Garrett (6-3, 190 pounds), whom the Marlins took with the seventh overall pick, recently graduated from Florence High in Alabama, where he went 6-2 with a 0.56 ERA and struck out 131 batters in 65 innings his senior year.
The Marlins signed all of their picks for the first 12 rounds and 33 of their top 39 overall, including third-rounder Thomas Jones, a center fielder out of Laurens, South Carolina. They also signed Broward College alum J.C. Millan, a center fielder/second baseman, as a free agent.
“We’re very pleased we were able to come to an agreement and excited to get him going and have him start his career,” Marlins President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill said.
Hill said Garrett would report to the club’s Gulf Coast League rookie ball affiliate in Jupiter.
Garrett caught the Marlins’ attention some time ago.
His curveball has been regarded as one of the best in the country among top high school pitching prospects. Garrett won a gold medal with Team USA in the 18-and-under World Cup in Japan last fall.
GORDON UPDATE
Dee Gordon is expected to begin a 10-day rehab assignment Monday in New Triple A Orleans. Gordon, who received an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, is eligible to return July 28 when the Marlins play the Cardinals at home.
Gordon would, however, be ineligible to play in the postseason should the Marlins make it.
“Donnie [manager Don Mattingly] and I have talked about it and obviously Dee is an energizer bunny in what he brings to the club, but a lot of guys have stepped up and been productive in his absence,” Hill said. “I think you will see Don mix and match some things and make sure everyone stays healthy and productive.”
Gordon, last season’s National League batting champion, stolen bases leader, All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman, hit .266 with a .289 on-base percentage, .340 slugging percentage, six stolen bases and five RBI in 21 games (94 at-bats) before the suspension.
THIS AND THAT
▪ Mattingly said pitcher Jose Fernandez would make his first post All-Star break start Monday in Philadelphia.
▪ Justin Bour (right ankle sprain) is eligible to come off the DL Monday, but Mattingly said he wasn’t sure if he’d be ready to return to the lineup by then.
▪ The Marlins recalled outfielder Yefri Perez from Double A Jacksonville and optioned catcher Tomas Telis to New Orleans.
COMING UP
Saturday: Marlins RHP Tom Koehler (6-7, 4.50 ERA) vs. Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (8-5, 4.49), 7:15 p.m., Busch Stadium.
Sunday: Marlins LHP Adam Conley (6-5, 3.62 ERA) vs. Cardinals RHP Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.36 ERA), 2:15 p.m., Busch Stadium.
This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 10:57 AM with the headline "Miami Marlins sign first-round draft pick Braxton Garrett."