The secrets to the Miami Marlins’ success at having rookie pitchers ready in Jupiter
Nick Neidert’s “roller-coaster” first week in MLB was long over and now he was just trying to work his way back to the Miami Marlins.
It was the middle of August and Neidert had been quarantined for about three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 in July, just days after he made his debut in relief against the Philadelphia Phillies. The first time he returned to the field in Jupiter to throw, it felt like he hadn’t picked up a baseball in months. It was a challenge just to regain his stamina and build back up to where he was when the regular season and the Marlins decided to put him on their Opening Day roster.
“It felt pretty foreign, but it came back very quickly,” the rookie said. “The first time you run after being cooped up for about 20 days, you run four sprints and it feels like you just climbed up a mountain.”
The starting pitcher soon learned to relish his time at the alternate training site. He had access to technology and information he never would have had in regular minor-league season. He was facing top-100 prospects basically any time he was on the mound for a simulated game.
It was no wonder so many of his teammates were able to succeed right away for Miami (23-21) after spending time preparing at Roger Dean Stadium.
“It was really good, honestly, being in Jupiter,” Neidert said.
Neidert became the latest Marlin to rejoin the team after battling COVID on Sunday when Miami activated him following more than a month on the injured list. Manager Don Mattingly said he could be available as a starter in upcoming doubleheaders, but for now he is a long reliever who could help out against the Phillies at 4:10 p.m. on Monday at Marlins Park. Based on recent success stories with young pitchers coming from Jupiter to Miami and helping immediately, the Marlins are optimistic about Neidert’s readiness.
Sixto Sanchez, called up last month, has become perhaps the favorite for National League Rookie of the Year Award. Trevor Rogers, also called up in August, has made four starts with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings. Braxton Garrett, who spent one day with in Miami as the 29th man for the doubleheader, threw five one-run innings in his debut Sunday, an 8-1, seven-inning win against Philadelphia.
Four of the Marlins’ top six pitching prospects, according to MLB.com, have debuted this year, including Neidert, and all four rank among the organization’s top 11 prospects.
Talent is the simplest explanation for how they’ve all managed to succeed, even after most never even pitched in Triple A. Miami’s setup in Palm Beach County has helped, too.
“You just try to do it right,” Mattingly said. “We’ve been trying to put those guys in positions where they’re facing guys, it’s game situations.”
For the pitchers and hitters, this means coaches putting together scouting reports before intrasquad games just like they would in a normal season. The day after an intrasquad start, pitchers meet with coaches for evaluations, combing through the outings and to answer questions on what went wrong and what they did right.
Neidert praised the technology available, including a Hawk-Eye camera system for advanced, Statcast-style pitch tracking.
“You get to kind of break down a little bit more video, get your mechanics going, different pitches,” Neidert said. “You get to develop in different sort of ways when you’re in Jupiter. You’re competing, but at the same time it’s crispening up your stuff.”
The secret element to make it all work might be the sort of hitters Neidert and Co. get to face at the alternate site.
In a normal Double A or Triple A season, a pitcher might come across a top-100 prospect once or twice a week. This year, top-100 prospects like middle infielder Jazz Chisholm, and outfielders JJ Bleday and Jesus Sanchez have all spent time at the training site, which means every outing brings at-bats against no-doubt future Major Leaguers.
“We’ve got the best hitters in the org there, to be honest with you,” Neidert said. “Yeah, it is a scrimmage intrasquad game, but it’s like that competition factor.”
Said Mattingly: “It was part of the thoughts when we had guys down there.”
The plan for Braxton Garrett
Garrett found out less than 24 hours ahead of time he was going to be called up to start the second game of a doubleheader Sunday. A day later, he’s back in Palm Beach waiting on his next opportunity.
It could come as early as Friday, when the Marlins have another doubleheader against the Washington Nationals in Miami.
Mattingly, however, would not commit to a plan for the Marlins’ upcoming doubleheaders. Neidert will be an option — and was an option Sunday if the Phillies (23-22) used a righty-heavy lineup — and Mattingly is leaving options open. As good as Garrett was, Mattingly expects his second start to be more difficult.
“I’m sure Philly didn’t get a chance to go look at video,” Mattingly said. “Now if he’s the guy that comes back up to face anybody, now they’re going to have a game to look at. Hitters will have a little better understanding of what he is.”
Diaz leaves with groin injury
Second baseman Isan Diaz left the Marlins’ 6-2 in at the start of the fourth inning Monday with left groin tightness and Miami isn’t sure about his status moving forward.
After the second baseman pulled up short running out a groundball to first base, Brian Anderson entered the game as the third baseman, Miguel Rojas shifted from third to shortstop and Jazz Chisholm shifted from short to second base.
The Marlins say Diaz is day to day and aren’t sure whether he’ll get further testing.
If he misses extended time, Miami will be even more desperate to get Jon Berti back in the lineup. The utility infielder went on the IL last Monday with a finger contusion and Mattingly expects he’ll be ready to return as soon as he’s eligible.
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 3:16 PM.
