Back where it all began, former Marlins prospect Rob Brantly playing in Miami again at age 35

[Kevin Barral]

For the first time since 2013, Brantly is catching for the Miami Marlins after bouncing around the league for more than a decade.

MIAMI, FL—Rob Brantly is back on the Miami Marlins active roster for the first time since September 28, 2013. Back then, Mike Redmond was a rookie manager and the late José Fernández was the NL Rookie of the Year, the Miami Heat were reigning NBA champions and Barack Obama had just begun his second presidential term. A lot has changed.

On Friday, the Marlins selected Brantly from Triple-A Jacksonville when Nick Fortes was placed on the injured list due to an oblique strain. He'll be making his 2025 season debut on Sunday against the Washington Nationals.

"Getting activated is always exciting," Brantly told Fish On First. "The chance to be here on the taxi squad from the get-go, we've been preparing for this. I'm excited to put in the work, or the work that I've been putting in, go out there and put it to the test. I feel prepared and ready to go."

The Marlins originally acquired Brantly in 2012 as a prospect in the package that sent pitcher Aníbal Sánchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers. He made his MLB debut in Miami a few weeks later and was the team's primary catcher through the first half of the 2013 season. In 98 total games, Brantly slashed .235/.298/.325/.623 with four home runs, 26 RBI and a 71 OPS+.

Brantly served as Triple-A depth in 2014. Following that season, the Marlins placed Brantly on waivers and he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox.

Since his time in Miami, the backstop has played in only 39 MLB games, but spent time with nine different organizations.

"The evolution of what catching was back then to what it is now is vastly different," said Brantly. "It's been a fun process along the way, getting a chance to learn from so many different coaching minds and all the different organizations I've been with. It's been an exciting journey. It's really helped me grow defensively, and like I said, we're here now in 2025 ready to put in the work."

There has been extreme turnover inside the Marlins organization in between Brantly's stints, but he still has some familiarity with his surroundings and colleagues.

"It really has felt like home, especially being back in loanDepot park and being in this atmosphere," said Brantly. "The unique part for me especially with all the new surrounding staff and coaching staff, a lot of the guys, I've actually had a chance to work with since I've been here...I've actually played with a lot of these coaches in different organizations. It's cool to see that Miami has got the best pieces of all those organizations here under one roof."

 

Milene Brantly (@milenebrantly) • Instagram reel

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189 likes, 7 comments - milenebrantly on April 8, 2025: "Wild what 12 years can do! (it was all good, but the song was just fitting) 😘".

At the age of 35, Brantly's experiences are especially valuable to a Marlins team that is the youngest in baseball.

"A lot of lessons learned within that time frame," said Brantly. "For me, it's really helped me grow and if I can help, lend a word to a younger teammate, to maybe help them avoid something that might not be great, or give them an edge. I'm always willing to do that."

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