Scouting report, what to expect from new Marlin Anthony Maldonado

[Alex Carver]

Following a consistently impressive minor league career, South Florida native Anthony Maldonado is being called up to the big leagues. Here’s what you can expect from him.

It’s finally Anthony Maldonado’s turn. After an impressive 2023 season and an equally impressive spring training, his number has been called. As first reported by Kevin Barral, Maldonado has been recalled by the Marlins and will be joining their active roster in advance of Friday's game.

Drafted by Miami in 2019, Maldonado rose quickly through the minors. After the missed 2020 COVID season, Maldonado climbed four levels in his first full MiLB season, ending 2021 with the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos. By 2022, Maldonado was pitching for the Triple-A Jumbo Shrimp. This past season, Maldonado spent the entire year with Jacksonville, pitching to a 1.62 ERA with a 78/21 K/BB in 37 games. He was well in line to be a September call-up if not for suffering a hip injury in July that cost him nearly two months.

Maldonado came to spring training with the Marlins this year as a member of the 40-man roster. There, he continued to turn heads. In seven games and six innings, he allowed one earned run and held down an 8/4 K/BB. Skip Schumaker lauded Maldonado’s best pitch, his slider, calling it “as good as anybody’s." At the wrap of spring training, Maldonado believed he did enough to make the Opening Day roster.

“My minor league success wasn't a fluke. I think I've shown that so far,” Maldonado said at the end of spring training. “I thought I did well.”

Though Maldonado did not make the roster over Declan Cronin and newcomer Burch Smith—who the Marlins had not yet even seen throw a pitch live—Maldonado went back to AAA and remained focused, continuing to turn in results. In eight games this year, he has a 2.31 ERA in 11 ⅔ innings. He’s struck out 10 and walked four.

Maldonado, a 1-2 inning reliever who is accustomed to high leverage, owns three pitches including the aforementioned slider that breaks late both ways. Even when not placing it perfectly, minor league hitters have been baffled. He can also throw it with purpose outside of the strike zone and garner whiffs. Ultimately, Maldonado hasn’t had to challenge much with the pitch inside the zone to stay effective.

Recently, Maldonado has tinkered with his fastball. Originally a traditional four-seamer, since this spring, he’s now throwing the pitch with a modified grip and the action of a sinker. It sits between 92-94. So far, it’s produced good results. How Maldonado continues to adjust to that new grip will be a key aspect to watch as he comes to the majors. Maldonado’s third pitch is a mix-in changeup that he has historically struggled to command. With the influence of Mel Stottlemyre Jr, don’t rule out Maldonado developing that pitch further and becoming even more effective. Historically, Maldonado has also shown off a cutter that sits in the low 90s.

Maldonado, who was born in Wellington and went to college in Daytona Beach at Bethune Cookman, takes pride in his Florida roots.

“I grew up going to Roger Dean (Chevrolet Stadium) and going to spring training games with my dad,” Maldonado said. “It’s a dream come true. I’m blessed to be a home town boy. Just like (Jesús) Luzardo, just like (Xavier) Edwards, I grew up playing with those guys and it’s really cool we have a chance to play in the big leagues together.”

Maldonado gets that chance against the Nationals, starting on Friday in place of the injured Jesús Luzardo.

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