Marlins farm system on pace for record strikeout rate

[Nathaniel Klaff]

More than a quarter of the way through the minor league season, Miami Marlins affiliates are on pace to make history. The organization's strikeout rate is not only up significantly from 2025, but it's higher than any other mark that any org has posted in a single season.

This is the continuation of a trend. In 2023—the final year before Peter Bendix became Marlins president of baseball operations—the farm system struck out 22.2% of opposing batters. In 2024, that rose to 23.9%. In 2025, it reached 25.0%. Entering play on Friday, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Beloit Sky Carp, Jupiter Hammerheads and FCL Marlins are collectively at 28.2%.

The organization’s emphasis on swing-and-miss stuff ("throw nasty strikes") is showing at every level.

 

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Coming off a Triple-A title, expectations were still high with Robby Snelling and Thomas White leading the Jumbo Shrimp rotation. Even with Snelling now in the big leagues, Jacksonville still has a loaded rotation consisting of Thomas White, Ryan Gusto, Dax Fulton, and Bradley Blalock. White is currently ranked as the top left-handed pitching prospect in baseball.

The bullpen has been just as dominant. Josh White is putting up Josh White numbers as usual, William Kempner owns a K/9 approaching 20, and Jack Ralston has been one of the more underrated signings made by Bendix.

Even with constant pitching transactions between Jacksonville and Miami, the Jumbo Shrimp staff has arguably been even more dominant than last year’s championship team. The team K/9 has jumped from 9.28 last season to 10.90 this year, while opponents are hitting just .207 against them compared to .228 last season.

Players with a K/9 Above 11 (min. 10 IP, Excluding Current MLB Roster Players)

• William Kempner — 17.26
• Josh Ekness — 14.92
• Tyler Zuber — 13.93
• Thomas White — 12.77
• Jack Ralston — 12.73
• Zach McCambley — 11.03

 

Pensacola Blue Wahoos

With quite a few pitchers getting promoted between last season and this offseason, the Blue Wahoos entered 2026 with a much different pitching staff. Headlined by Fish On First’s No. 10 prospect Karson Milbrandt, Pensacola has still managed to take another leap in the strikeout department.

After leading the Southern League in 2025 with a 9.83 K/9, the Blue Wahoos were not satisfied. Through the first quarter of the 2026 season, they currently rank second in the Southern League with a 10.56 K/9. They also lead the league with a .224 batting average against.

Milbrandt has continued to dominate, Brandon White has been one of the bigger surprises in the system so far, and Kade Bragg, who was acquired from the Twins during the offseason, has been productive as well. Even with roster turnover throughout the organization, Pensacola has continued to develop into one of the better swing-and-miss staffs in Double-A baseball.

Players with a K/9 Above 11 (min. 10 IP)

• Justin King — 16.20
• Gabe Bierman — 15.30
• Colby Martin — 12.66
• Livan Reinoso — 12.00
• Kade Bragg — 11.90
• Karson Milbrandt — 11.87
• Alex Williams — 11.81
• Logan Whitaker — 11.15

 

Beloit Sky Carp

When it comes to pure pitching talent, Beloit stands out within the organization. The rotation consists of Fish On First’s No. 15 prospect Eliazer Dishmey, No. 30 prospect Nate Payne, 2024 CB-B pick Aiden May, 14th-round pick Carson Laws, and 2025 Florida State League All-Star Liomar Martinez.

Beloit finished last season with a 9.21 K/9, which was good enough for second in the Midwest League. So far this year, that number has jumped all the way to 11.18. While walks have been an issue, as the Sky Carp also lead the Midwest League in BB/9 at 6.45, the raw talent is clearly there. Beloit should see multiple arms promoted to Pensacola later this season.

Players with a K/9 Above 11 (min. 10 IP)

• Luis Ramirez — 15.68
• Liomar Martinez — 14.10
• Cannon Pickell — 12.60
• Eliazar Dishmey — 12.54
• Justin Storm — 11.64
• Carson Laws — 11.52
• Peyton Fosher — 11.41
• Nate Payne — 11.32
• Juan Reynoso — 11.21

 

Jupiter Hammerheads

The Hammerheads have done a complete 180 with their pitching staff from last season to this year. They finished with the second-worst ERA in the Florida State League in 2025, but through 36 games this season they own the best ERA in the league at 3.39.

The staff has been led by Julio Mendez, Walin Castillo and Keyner Benitez (who is now injured, unfortunately). With newly converted reliever Juan De La Cruz moving up to High-A, the bullpen is anchored by Elier Morillo and Jake Faherty, who is capable of touching 100+ mph. Walks and injuries have slowed the start of Faherty’s professional career, but the raw stuff has never been in question.

Out of all Marlins affiliates, Jupiter has made the biggest leap in the strikeout department. They're on track to join 2025 Double-A Binghamton (Mets) as the only full-season MiLB teams to ever retire at least 30% of batters faced via K.

Players with a K/9 Above 11 (min. 10 IP)

• Elier Morillo — 17.72
• Michael Perez — 15.88
• Julio Mendez — 13.09
• Luis De La Cruz — 11.69
• Samuel Carpio — 11.30
• Keyner Benitez — 11.17

 

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From Jacksonville all the way down to the rookie ball, there is legitimate talent throughout the system, and the numbers back it up. Each affiliate currently boasts a K/9 of 10 or higher, featuring multiple pitchers who should be on everyone’s radar moving forward.

There is a logjam of arms at every level, including the major league roster, and that is the type of problem an organization loves to have.

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