Marlins signing former LIDOM MVP Ronny Simon to minor league deal

[Ely Sussman]

The Miami Marlins are in agreement with utility player Ronny Simon on a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Simon is the first known free agent that they've added this offseason.

The 24-year-old Simon has no MLB experience, but he spent the full 2024 season with Tampa Bay's Triple-A Durham affiliate, slashing .283/.356/.429 (106 wRC+) with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 130 games. Second base has been his primary position throughout most of his professional career, but he also made 40 starts in left field this season. He has plenty of familiarity with third base and shortstop as well.

A 5'8" switch-hitter, Simon has historically put up similar numbers from both sides of the plate. His best skill is making contact on pitches outside the strike zone. He has still struck out in about 20% of his career MiLB plate appearances (better than average, but not by much).

A native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Simon is playing winter ball in the DR for the fourth straight year. He won the league's MVP award during the 2023-24 season.

The Rays had Simon in spring training as a non-roster invitee each of the last two years.

This news breaks exactly one year to the day of Peter Bendix's first free agent signing as Marlins president of baseball operations. On November 16, 2023, Bendix inked infielder Tristan Gray, another ex-Ray. Gray played seven games for the Fish in 2024, but he's no longer with the organization.

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[One Regend]

A 5'8 infielder who profiles more at 2nd base, with power numbers that we should probably ignore.

This sounds strangely familiar. This sounds like just about every infielder we have right now.

[Slacker Mills]

8 hours ago, One Regend said:

A 5'8 infielder who profiles more at 2nd base, with power numbers that we should probably ignore.

This sounds strangely familiar. This sounds like just about every infielder we have right now.

Yes, it does. Simon, Sanoja, Edwards, Lopez, Serna are all members of the Lollipop Guild.  And I'm a fan of Munchkin Land! Speed and defense works for me. Simon winning the MVP of the DWL is huge to me. Nobody hits for s*** in that league.

[rurrusuno]

On 11/16/2024 at 7:06 PM, Ely Sussman said:

The Miami Marlins are in agreement with utility player Ronny Simon on a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. Simon is the first known free agent that they've added this offseason.

The 24-year-old Simon has no MLB experience, but he spent the full 2024 season with Tampa Bay's Triple-A Durham affiliate, slashing .283/.356/.429 (106 wRC+) with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 130 games. Second base has been his primary position throughout most of his professional career, but he also made 40 starts in left field this season. He has plenty of familiarity with third base and shortstop as well.

A 5'8" switch-hitter, Simon has historically put up similar numbers from both sides of the plate. His best skill is making contact on pitches outside the strike zone. He has still struck out in about 20% of his career MiLB plate appearances (better than average, but not by much).

A native of La Romana, Dominican Republic, Simon is playing winter ball in the DR for the fourth straight year. He won the league's MVP award during the 2023-24 season.

The Rays had Simon in spring training as a non-roster invitee each of the last two years.

This news breaks exactly one year to the day of Peter Bendix's first free agent signing as Marlins president of baseball operations. On November 16, 2023, Bendix inked infielder Tristan Gray, another ex-Ray. Gray played seven games for the Fish in 2024, but he's no longer with the organization.

 

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We need a second baseman that resembles Luis Castillo. One that can hit for contact, score runs, steal bases, and have great fielding abilities. 

Dee Gordon was the closest thing we had in those regards, but he only lasted 3 seasons here. 

[Ely Sussman]

6 hours ago, rurrusuno said:

We need a second baseman that resembles Luis Castillo. One that can hit for contact, score runs, steal bases, and have great fielding abilities.

Xavier Edwards comes pretty close! Not so much in the fielding department, but everything else you mentioned. He's a true second baseman despite being used at shortstop right now.

Don't think it's realistic to project Simon that way. Edwards has the best chance among current infielders in the organization who are major league ready.

[Slacker Mills]

11 hours ago, rurrusuno said:

We need a second baseman that resembles Luis Castillo. One that can hit for contact, score runs, steal bases, and have great fielding abilities. 

Dee Gordon was the closest thing we had in those regards, but he only lasted 3 seasons here. 

I was very happy with Chisholm's all star play at second base. Some of Arraez's impact with the Marlins was lost due to the dropoff from Jazz to Arraez at that position.

[One Regend]

On 11/18/2024 at 1:57 AM, Ely Sussman said:

Xavier Edwards comes pretty close! Not so much in the fielding department, but everything else you mentioned. He's a true second baseman despite being used at shortstop right now.

Don't think it's realistic to project Simon that way. Edwards has the best chance among current infielders in the organization who are major league ready.

I wish StatCast was around back in the early 2000s, because I can't tell you for certain what Castillo's arm strength was at 2nd base, but I can tell you for sure, I don't remember Luis Castillo ever having a noodle arm at 2nd like Xavier Edwards does.

That noodle arm of Edwards is seriously concerning, and it makes me wonder if he'll end up going the Luis Arraez route of profiling as a 1B/DH. Edwards can get to the ball quicker than most other infielders and might have good instincts and range, but it's not going to matter if his arm strength leaves an negative impact on the field. The fact the Marlins are bullheadedly insisting on starting him at shortstop is baffling to say the least. I know the Marlins don't have any other viable SS alternatives in the farm system, but that too is an alarming cause.

I didn't think it would matter at the time, but now I'm feeling the loss of Nasim Nunez. He's not going to be a good hitter, but at least he'd play great defense.