Offishial news, 7/25/23: Luzardo introduces new pitch; more prospect promotions

Today's Marlins news roundup also includes another domino falling on the reliever trade market.

Monday's Games

Marlins Podcast Episodes

• Monday's Marlins MiLB Notes: Johnny Olmstead became the latest 2023 draft pick to make his professional debut, playing shortstop for the FCL Marlins. Among the many prospects being promoted this week, 1B/3B Jacob Berry and INF Josh Zamora are going from Beloit to Pensacola and 1B Torin Montgomery is filling Berry's shoes in Beloit. I look at June 8 as the inflection point in Berry's season. That is when the former top draft pick began getting reps at first base. In 37 games since then (splitting time between first and third during that stretch), he's slashing .283/.339/.461 (123 wRC+).

• Statcast has identified a cutter in Jesús Luzardo's pitch mix. He threw the pitch five times on Sunday (all to right-handed batters). You may recall that Braxton Garrett introduced a cutter of his own earlier this season. Luzardo's arsenal previously featured a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and occasional sinker.

• Elsewhere around the majors, the Braves traded two pitching prospects to acquire Rockies right-hander Pierce Johnson. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Reds are willing to trade 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India to get controllable starting pitching. The idle Marlins gained ground on all of their primary National League Wild Card competitors thanks to losses by the Phillies, Reds, Giants and Diamondbacks. The Chas McCormick breakout continues as he drove in six runs for the Astros in their win over the Rangers. McCormick became the first hitter to homer against Aroldis Chapman this season. Christian Yelich (Brewers) and Carlos Correa (Twins) had walk-off hits.

• We’re back with a new episode of Fish On First LIVE, streaming at 5:30 p.m. ET on
  /Twitch/Twitter. Kevin Barral is credentialed for the series, so he'll provide a live pressbox report from Tropicana Field. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here!

• The Marlins have a 38.3% chance to win their series opener against the Rays, per FanGraphs. Triple-A Jacksonville (7:05 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:30 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (6:05 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.

• Here is Kevin's Citrus Series preview.

• Do you have a business or special cause that you're trying to promote? We are seeking a sponsor for our @MarlinsSpaces account! Somebody we can promote before/during/after each of our Marlins Twitter Spaces. Email Ely.Sussman@gmail.com for more information.

• Marlins Jeopardy returns on Thursday! It's a "Young Experts" special, featuring contestants who weren't even born the last time the Marlins won it all. As usual, we're including your audience questions. Please submit them here.

• On this day 20 years ago, scored eight runs in the eighth inning to rally past the Phillies in a pivotal game with playoff implications.

Photo by Kevin Barral/Fish On First