Potential non-roster invitees to 2025 Marlins spring training

[Kevin Barral]

One of the most exciting elements of spring training is getting a look at recent acquisitions and emerging prospects who participate in their first Marlins big league camp.

The Miami Marlins are going to bring an entirely different group of players to Jupiter in 2025 than they did last spring training. That includes the new additions to their 40-man roster, but don't forget about non-roster invitees. Every year, there are NRIs who make a name for themselves or even come out of nowhere to earn an Opening Day job.

There are two types of NRIs: players within the organization who haven't made it onto the 40-man yet and free agents who sign one-year minor league contracts. So far this offseason, the Marlins have signed INF Ronny Simon, RHP Robinson Piña, OF Heriberto Hernández and LHP John Rooney in free agency. Expect a few more of those deals in the coming weeks.

This article focuses on the top candidates for the other NRI category, starting off with players who have been to big league camp before (either with the Marlins or another team), then going into younger prospects hoping for a taste of the action.

 

Previous NRI experience

LHP Robby Snelling

The San Diego Padres made the aggressive move to invite Snelling to camp entering his age-20 season. After struggling in the first half of the year, the lefty was traded to the Marlins and pitched much closer to expectations with a 4.00 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 10.25 K/9 and 2.75 BB/9 through seven starts in Double-A Pensacola. Snelling did reach the Triple-A level where he made one start, striking out seven and allowing one earned run.

President of baseball operations Peter Bendix recently singled out Snelling as someone who can shape out the starting rotation at some point in 2025.

LHP Josh Simpson

Drafted and developed by the Marlins, Simpson was a part of the 40-man roster for a while and made a good impression last spring, but he missed half of 2024 while recovering from left elbow ulnar neuritis. He didn't look sharp during minor league rehab appearances and was eventually removed from the 40-man altogether. He will likely be an NRI given Miami's lack of left-handed relievers at the moment.

 

RHP Woo-Suk Go

Go was acquired in the Luis Arraez trade early on in the season. The Korean veteran stayed in the upper minors, posting a 6.54 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 8.9 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 through 52 ⅓ innings pitched. The Marlins are stuck paying Go's $2.25 million salary no matter what, so it couldn't hurt to invite him to camp before giving up on him completely.

 

INF Troy Johnston

The former Marlins Minor League Player of the Year, Johnston took a step back in 2024 and slashed .276/.339/.424/.763 with 11 home runs, 63 RBI and a 99 wRC+. This would be his third straight spring as an NRI.

 

 

OF/INF Jacob Berry

In 2024 with AA-Pensacola, Berry slashed .238/.306/.360/.666 with nine home runs, 45 RBI and a 100 wRC+. It was Berry's second half of the season that earned him a promotion to AAA. He continues to be a liability on defense, most recently transitioning to right field.

 

OF Jakob Marsee

Marsee slashed .188/.342/.303/.645 with seven home runs, 37 RBI and a 103 wRC+ as a member of the Blue Wahoos. What stands out is Marsee's speed and high walk percentage. In AA, he posted a 15.2 walk% and overall stole 51 bases. He is a nice fourth outfield option who is experienced in center field.

 

INF Nathan Martorella

Martorella came over with Marsee in the Arraez trade after also spending spring in Padres camp. Following a horrid start with Pensacola, he finished the season off strong, especially in the power department. He's seen action at first base and in the outfield.

 

C/INF Bennett Hostetler

Hostetler is coming off his most disappointing season as a pro, slashing .236/.275/.339/.614 with two home runs and 19 RBI between AA and AAA. His versatility to play catcher has earned him an invite in the past and should one more time.

 

 

Potential first-time NRIs

LHP Thomas White

It can go either way for White, who isn't close to reaching the majors, but has established himself as Miami's No. 1 prospect and could benefit from the experience. He was excellent as a 19-year-old in Low-A/High-A with a 2.81 ERA, 11.3 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 through 96 innings pitched. Even if invited, he'd be reassigned to minor league camp pretty quickly.

 

RHP Christian Roa

Roa was placed on waivers by the Cincinnati Reds after the 2024 season ended and claimed by the Marlins, then outrighted to the minor leagues. He posted a 5.55 ERA, 6.08 FIP, 8.69 K/9 and 5.55 BB/9 through 48 ⅔ innings pitched, finishing the year on the injured list. The 25-year old reliever has a slider, four-seam, sinker, changeup and curveball. The slider is his plus pitch with a 107 tjStuff+ and 42.3 whiff%.

 

LHP Adam Laskey

The Marlins took Laskey in the minor league phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft and it's safe to say that he impressed in his first season. He pitched to a 3.10 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 8.41 K/9 and 2.21 BB/9 through 81 ⅓ innings pitched. With a lack of lefties in the Marlins bullpen, he will likely receive an invite. Even assuming he does not make the initial roster, Laskey has earned a promotion to AAA-Jacksonville.

 

RHP Josh Ekness

A lights-out reliever this past season at three different minor league levels with a high-90s fastball and wipeout secondary stuff, Ekness has come a long way since the 2023 draft. He will begin the season in AA Pensacola most likely.

 

RHP Jacob Miller

Miller broke out in 2024, posting a 3.85 ERA, 7.3 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 through 114 ⅔ innings pitched. Although his velocity is below average, his control has proven to be great and when he reached AA, he succeeded there. A potential call-up in 2025 isn't out of the picture if he continues to pitch the way he is.

 

RHP Matt Pushard

Pushard thrived in AA with a 2.36 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 11.14 K/9 and 3.04 BB/9 through 53 ⅓ innings. He also reached the AAA level and succeeded in his two innings of work. At 27 years old, he is the oldest player in this group of NRI candidates.

 

RHP Austin Roberts

Roberts had similarly impressive numbers to Pushard: a 2.28 ERA, 11.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and 17 saves through 67 innings pitched. His three pitch-mix of a fastball, curveball and changeup stand out. He will have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

 

C Joe Mack

Mack had a breakout 2024 season, earning him AA Player of the Year in the Marlins organization. Between two levels, he slashed .252/.338/.468/.807 with 24 home runs and 78 RBI. Although he didn't catch every day, he was fine defensively and should start the season at AAA.

 

OF Kemp Alderman

Alderman was slowed down by an injury and only slashed .240/.312/.344/.656 with two home runs, 11 RBI and a 92 wRC+. However, he finished the year on a good note in the Arizona Fall League and shows incredible power potential.

 

INF Jack Winkler

These final names were selected in the minor league phase of the latest Rule 5 Draft. Winkler slashed .223/.310/.345/.655 with eight home runs, 57 RBI and an 88 wRC+. Defensively, the former Athletics prospect will stick at shortstop.

 

 

RHP Orlando Ortiz-Mayr

A former Dodgers farmhand, Mayr made 27 appearances (25 starts) in AA posting a 4.71 ERA, 5.07 FIP, 7.16 K/9 and 3.98 BB/9.

 

RHP Ricky DeVito

DeVito is somewhat similar to former Marlins prospect Jefry Yan, a talented reliever who doesn't really know where the ball is going. In 2024, he posted a 4.00 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 12.33 K/9 and 8.83 BB/9 through 54 innings pitched. Cutting down on the walks will be his main focus.

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[rurrusuno]

Adam Laskey seems like an intriguing lefty of the bullpen that the Marlins should closely watch this season

[Cambo8888]

Justin King may not get the invite but is an interesting prospect that will likely move up to AAA.  Lefty with a FB touching 99mph providing a .97 WHIP, 16.3 SO/9, 46% Strikeout rate for his short debut should be watched closely.  Marlins need some sparks within their farm system!  Laskey and King seem to be two bright spots!

[Ely Sussman]

On 12/28/2024 at 11:36 AM, Cambo8888 said:

Justin King may not get the invite but is an interesting prospect that will likely move up to AAA. 

I was eager to see him in the fall league coming off that hot finish to the season, but he got hurt early on. A good performance out there would have earned him an invite for sure. Considering his age and assuming he's fully healthy again, you're right that he could still get invited anyway.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

I plan to drive down to Jupiter for the last week of February to catch a few games and see the NRIs this year. 

[Cambo8888]

I have heard that Dale Stanavich and Justin King have both been invited to the Marlins Spring training. Two effective LHP in my opinion.