Positives in the Rough

Not the easiest thing to find positives on a 54-92 Marlins Squad, especially fresh off being Swept right out of Pittsburgh, P.A (Bruce Sherman, Sell the Team btw). All notwithstanding, let's head to the Bullpen, where whether by Trade (the likes of Tanner Scott & A.J Puk) or Injury (similarly to Calvin Faucher or Andrew Nardi) the Marlins 'Pen has had a complete overhaul here for the final Month, yet is trying to find a few diamonds in the rough.

We formerly had mentioned the name Jesus Tinoco, who has the right to claim the Johnny Cash song 'I've been everywhere' as his MLB theme music. Tinoco has Pitched for 4 MLB Teams, 3 of those Clubs over separate stints (including Florida where he Appeared in 3 Games during the Covid Season of '20). 

The 6-4 Right Hander originally signed by the Blue-Jays, has been a part of 6 different Organizations, not including the Seibu Lions of the Japan Professional Baseball League whom Tinoco Pitched for last year. The tenure in Japan earned the Venezuelan native an opportunity in Big League Camp with the Rangers on an MiLB Deal this Spring. After then latching on with the KC Org, followed by seeing more Big League action with the Cubs this summer (who acquired him from the Royals), Tinoco has settled in Miami after being Claimed Off Waivers from Chicago. (1-0 with a 1.47 ERA as a Marlin with a 24-4 K to BB ratio and will now see Closing duties down the stretch).

Anthony Bender never Pitched over seas, but certainty had quite the interesting journey himself to the Big Leagues/Marlins, coming over from the Milwaukee Milkmen of the Independent League. Bender became a revelation for the Fish in 2021, Appearing in 60 MLB Games to the tune of a 2.79 ERA and 71 K's in 61.1 Innings. 

Unfortunately Tommy John Surgery cut Bender's 2022 short and wiped out all of his 2023. A return to the Mound in '24 has seen the the Right Hander come into 51 Games this Season. After a bit of an Injury scare here in the 2nd Half, Bender continues to be very effective vs RH Hitters (a .226 BAA and a 38 to 6 K to BB ratio).

Declan Cronin was Selected off Waivers twice before Spring Training. First by Houston in January from the Chicago White Sox, whom Cronin appeared in 9 Games for last Season. The Marlins than scooped Cronin up a month later from the Astros in February. After making the Fish Opening Day Roster and leaving quite the impression in the Opener, the broad shouldered Righty out of New Jersey has yet to allow a Home Run over 65 MLB Innings this Season.

We spoke previously about how Peter Bendix & the Marlins have ridden the Waiver Wire to the bone in the 2nd Half, many a time perhaps overlooking some of the Organization's own Players who have performed in Triple-A in the process. Through countless Waiver Claims, there's been a few intriguing Arms that have surfaced. One of the more interesting of such arms was John McMillon, who in his 12 Innings as a Marlin went 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA and 13 K's, before an Elbow Injury finished his Season yesterday. While Waiver Claim Lake Bachar from San Diego has brought it in his handful of Games as a Marlin.

Experienced Right Hander Mike Bauman is now with his 5th MLB Club this Season. Unfortunately the struggles persist despite a 98 MPH Heater for Bauman, who's trying to recapture a 2023 form had on a Division Winning Orioles Team.

A Pitcher with similar Stuff in Brett de Guess just got picked up by Toronto (His 3rd Club on the Year) after being DFA'd by the Marlins days ago. Xzavion Curry, picked up by the Fish from Cleveland in August, gave the Team 4.1 Scoreless IP's in Pittsburgh yesterday. While Waiver Claim Michael Petersen takes Waiver Claim McMillion's Roster spot today, as the Waiver Wire goes around and around Miami.

To Bendix's credit (trust me, I don't like saying that based on a lot of other reasons), the Marlins have been able to identify Arms in a field that so often necessitates a revolving door like the Bullpen. Hey, at least there's that 'positive in the rough'.