Marlins roster moves: Connor Gillispie claimed; Jhonny Pereda DFA'd

[Ely Sussman]

The Miami Marlins added a bit of pitching depth on Tuesday by claiming right-hander Connor Gillispie off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. Catcher Jhonny Pereda was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Gillispie, 27, was developed by the Baltimore Orioles from 2019 through 2023 before being selected by the Cleveland Guardians in last winter's Rule 5 Draft. He spent most of the 2024 campaign in Triple-A (4.05 ERA, 5.42 FIP and .218 BAA in 113.1 IP), but got to make three MLB relief appearances in August. Odd decision by the Braves to sign him to a non-guaranteed deal in November—which included a 40-man roster spot—only to DFA him before spring training even arrived.

Gillispie's fastball averages about 92 mph. He posted one of the highest pop-up rates in the International League last season and has maintained a very low batting average on balls in play throughout his professional career (lifetime .253 BABIP in the minors).

I doubt that Pereda is going anywhere. He hit very well with Triple-A Jacksonville during his age-28 season (.297/.405/.424 slash line and 125 wRC+ in 195 PA), but that did not translate at all to the majors (.231/.250/.241 and 33 wRC+ in 40 PA). He frankly was one of the weakest links on Miami's 40-man roster. Upon clearing waivers, expect the Marlins to bring him to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He could wind up in Jacksonville again this season, receiving sporadic playing time behind catching prospects Agustín Ramírez and Joe Mack.

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