Ely Sussman

The Miami Marlins have signed 20 of their 21 MLB Draft picks in advance of Tuesday's signing deadline. The Marlins allocated the majority of their 2023 bonus pool toward prep pitchers RHP Noble Meyer and LHP Thomas White, leaning into the organization's recent track record of developing big league starters. The Marlins had a total bonus pool of $12,829,600, the eighth-largest among MLB teams. They had the flexibility to go 5% beyond that ($13,471,080) to secure the services of players selected in the top 10 rounds plus those from Rounds 11-20 who sought more than $150,000. Any spending beyond that would've required forfeiting future draft picks. Round 1: RHP Noble Meyer signed for $4.5M (slot value was $5,475,300)Competitive Balance Round A: LHP Thomas White signed for $4.1M ($2,420,900)Round 2: OF Kemp Alderman signed for $1.4M ($1,825,300)Round 3: 1B Brock Vradenburg signed for $916k ($916,000)Round 4: LHP Emmett Olson signed for $460k ($609,600)Round 5: RHP Andrew Lindsey signed for $340k ($429,400)Round 6: OF Jake DeLeo signed for $300k ($333,900)Round 7: LHP Justin Storm signed for $241k ($261,000)Round 8: RHP Nick Maldonado signed for $160k ($207,800)Round 9: OF Colby Shade signed for $180.9k ($180,900)Round 10: RHP Xavier Meachem signed for $169.5k ($169,500)Round 11: RHP Jake Brooks signed for $150kRound 12: RHP Josh Ekness signed for unspecified amountRound 13: RHP Colson Lawrence signed for unspecified amountRound 14: LHP Jack Sellinger signed for $100kRound 15: RHP Nigel Belgrave signed for $150kRound 16: LHP Kevin Vaupel signed for $75kRound 17: OF Mark Coley II signed for $50kRound 18: LHP Tristan Dietrich did not signRound 19: 3B Johnny Olmstead signed for $25kRound 20: Two-way player Ryan Ignoffo signed for $75khttps://www.instagram.com/p/Cu47c0jJVDh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuu08OCODaY/?img_index=3By my calculations, the Marlins were able to offer LHP Tristan Dietrich up to $703,680 to sign without forfeiting future picks. That's roughly equivalent to the slot value of the 95th overall pick (late third round). Instead, he'll be honoring his commitment to Florida International University, Fish On First's Kevin Barral reports. As of Sunday, the Marlins have also signed undrafted free agents 3B Tony Bullard and 1B Angelo DiSpigna. Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

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Today's Marlins news roundup also includes details about Noble Meyer's underslot deal and upcoming appearance at LoanDepot Park.Thursday's GamesMarlins Podcast Episodes Thursday's Marlins MiLB Notes: INF/OF Xavier Edwards (Jacksonville) has now stolen 23 consecutive bases without being caught, including 14 this month alone, while C Austin Allen went 3-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI. LHP Jonathan Bermudez (Pensacola), LHP Cade Gibson (Beloit) and RHP Ike Buxton (Jupiter) each had scoreless starts of at least six innings pitched. 1B Troy Johnston drove in the game-winning run for the Blue Wahoos, his 78th of the season. Newly signed draft picks LHP Kevin Vaupel and RHP Xavier Meachem each made scoreless relief appearances for the FCL Marlins. SS Erick Lara (DSL Marlins) is slashing .395/.509/.591 in his first 12 games as a pro.The Marlins finalized their signings of first-round draft pick RHP Noble Meyer ($4.5 million bonus) and second-rounder OF Kemp Alderman ($1.4 million), both at substantially below slot value. They will be introduced at LoanDepot Park today.However, Fish On First's Kevin Barral reports that 18th-round pick LHP Tristan Dietrich will not be signing. It's a comparable situation to RHP Evan Chrest, Miami's late-round high school pick in 2022 who turned down a mid-six-figure bonus offer to pitch in college. Dietrich is committed to Florida International University.Elsewhere around the majors, the Brewers, Blue Jays, Tigers and Mariners each pitched shutouts. The Tigers game was started by trade candidate Michael Lorenzen, whose scoreless streak has reached 21 2/3 innings pitched.We did the latest during Thursday's off day! Still time for Super Subscribers to participate in Prediction Time here. The Marlins have a 65.0% chance to win their series opener against the Rockies, per FanGraphs. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:35 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET), FCL Marlins (12:00 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.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.On Fish Unfiltered, we go through our updated ranking of the best prospects in the Marlins organization. Dane Myers is the biggest riser (from an honorable mention to No. 10) since May's version of the FOF Top 30.MLB Pipeline mentions Patrick Monteverde (our No. 25 prospect) as possible trade bait for the Marlins as the deadline approaches.Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald got clubhouse reaction to the Marlins' season-long six-game losing streak.FanGraphs' annual Trade Value series ranks Sandy Alcantara at No. 17 and Eury Pérez at No. 18. No other Marlins cracked their top 50.Tonight's Flashback Friday festivities feature Marlins alumni A.J. Burnett, Aníbal Sánchez, and Charles Johnson.

Today's Marlins news roundup also includes an update on JJ Bleday's progress with the Oakland A's.Wednesday's Games/game-coverage/marlins-cardinals-swept-sandy-alcantara/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-07/19/9773d864-f04fb916-1f439cfc-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Wednesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: INF/OF Xavier Edwards (Jacksonville) started at third base for the second time in as many weeks. Intriguing development for somebody who is already capable of helping the Marlins offensively and just needs a defensive home. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos secured their 50th win of the season behind seven scoreless innings from LHP Luis Palacios and RHP Zach McCambley's first professional save. Rehabbing Avisaíl García went 0-for-3 with a walk as their right fielder. C Joe Mack (Beloit) finally hit his first home run of the season in his 78th game. That accounted for the only Sky Carp offense.For the 13th time this season, the Marlins lost a Sandy Alcantara start. They lost 13 of his starts during Alcantara's entire 2022 NL Cy young campaign. A winless week has caused Miami's playoff odds to plummet by 27.8%, per FanGraphs. Every game of this losing streak has been decided by three runs or fewer. They're the only MLB team that's still winless since the All-Star break.Signing bonus amounts are in for 13 of the Marlins' 2023 draft picks. Additionally, Competitive Balance Round A pick Thomas White told The Boston Globe that he'll be joining the organization and third-round pick Brock Vradenburg confirmed his signing via Instagram.Elsewhere around the majors, the MLB owners will vote next week on the re-election of commissioner Rob Manfred and "it's a forgone conclusion" that Manfred will receive the majority support he needs, Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report. Phillies top prospect RHP Andrew Painter is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery, pending a consultation with the surgeon on Monday. Painter suffered his elbow injury in March and hasn't pitched competitively this year. Tommy John would wipe out his entire 2024 season, too. Old friend JJ Bleday is settling in as Oakland's everyday center fielder. He homered for the second straight day and raised his wRC+ to 108, which happens to be Bryan De La Cruz's mark for the season as well.We’re back with a new episode of Fish On First LIVE, streaming at 7:00 p.m. ET on /Twitch/Twitter. Our special guest is Marcello De Vivo. 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! Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:35 p.m. ET), FCL Marlins (12:00 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.I checked in on the Marlins' only 2022 trade deadline deal, which sent Anthony Bass, Zach Pop and a player to be named later (Edward Duran) to the Blue Jays for Jordan Groshans. 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.Garrett Cooper discusses his hitting mechanics with David Laurila of FanGraphs.Happy birthday to World Series-winning Marlins catcher Charles Johnson (52) and outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa (27). This is probably the latter's final birthday as a member of the Marlins organization.Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

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A trade that initially yielded encouraging results for both sides is aging poorly.Although plenty busy behind the scenes, last year's trade deadline was a snoozer for the Miami Marlins. They were sellers, as you'll recall, and reportedly came oh-so-close to sending No. 2 starter Pablo López to a contender. But when the dust settled, the fourth-place Fish retained López along with almost all of their other ill-fitting veterans and continued their dreary march toward a 69-93 record. The lone vet that the front office flipped was right-hander Anthony Bass, who'd been enjoying a career year as a setup man. The Marlins packaged Bass and second-year reliever Zach Pop and a player to be named later to the Toronto Blue Jays for infield prospect Jordan Groshans, a former first-round draft pick. Early indications were that this could be a win-win. I remember liking the deal for both sides, for what it's worth. One year later, however, the Marlins and Blue Jays are in thick of the playoff race despite negligible contributions from the three principal players involved. Bass turned many Marlins fans against him in 2021 by frequently floundering in high-leverage situations, accumulating the second-most losses on the entire pitching staff. But then, he found his niche in 2022. Used primarily to protect leads in the seventh inning, he performed like one of MLB's elite relievers through the first four months of the season (1.41 ERA, 2.06 FIP, 1.42 WPA in 44.2 IP). The remainder of Bass' season was bizarre. He maintained his terrific run prevention up north (1.75 ERA in 25.2 IP) despite allowing five homers. All of them were solo shots, conveniently. The Blue Jays made the playoffs, but were eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in shocking fashion. Bass was in the middle of their AL Wild Card Series Game 2 meltdown. https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-10/08/76438dae-23c48393-b24176e2-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4It was nonetheless an easy call for Toronto to exercise Bass' $3 million club option for 2023. The 35-year-old struggled from the get-go, though. He allowed runs in seven of his first 11 appearances and dropped down in the bullpen pecking order. His pitching was gradually turning the corner when he shared a video on Instagram expressing anti-LGBTQ sentiments during Pride month, and he wasn't exactly contrite about it afterwards. The Blue Jays officially released him on June 15 and no other team has scooped him up since. The Marlins took a flier on Pop coming off Tommy John surgery. He was an adequate middle reliever for them (3.98 ERA, 3.52 FIP, -0.97 WPA in 74.2 IP) with the upside to become even better thanks to a sinker with good velocity and demonic movement. Plenty of time for Pop's career to take off, but he is a non-factor for the Jays this season. The native Canadian encountered a rough patch in late April/early May, suffered a hamstring strain and was recently optioned to Triple-A after completing his rehab assignment. He was sub-replacement level while on Toronto's active roster. The Marlins were banking on their bullpen holding up just fine without Bass and Pop, and for much of 2023, they've been proven right about that (not so much in the last couple series). Of course, their primary objective in this exchange was to turn Groshans into a big league contributor. The current outlook on him is not particularly promising. Groshans had disappointing numbers with Triple-A Buffalo at the time of the trade. The brightest red flag: only one home run in 67 games. The change of scenery seemingly flipped a switch. He went yard twice during his first month with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, earned a September call-up and homered in just his third career game in The Show. https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-09/15/f396db7a-d66d8a3a-c9029570-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4That being said, it was an underwhelming cup of coffee for Groshans overall (.262/.308/.311, 80 wRC+ and 0.0 fWAR in 17 G). He did not flash any plus tools—solid bat-to-ball skills, but nothing truly remarkable at the plate, in the field or on the bases. The Marlins deployed him exclusively at third base. Rather than leave the position vacant entering 2023, they signed free agent Jean Segura to a two-year deal to play there instead. With shortstop no longer in his future, Groshans reported to spring training carrying additional weight. Perhaps he saw that as a way to generate more power? Well, it hasn't moved the needle. After posting a .689 OPS in the minors last season, he's at a .692 OPS this season (the International League average is .801). The 23-year-old's hard-hit rate of 33.1% in Triple-A is well below the MLB average. It puts him right on par with Jon Berti, except without the speed or defensive versatility. Groshans' top exit velocity of the MiLB season has been 109.4 mph, but he stroked it straight into the ground. His next-best exit velo is 105.6 mph, which is extremely low for an aspiring corner infielder. Groshans is hiding in plain sight. He starts practically every game for Jacksonville at either third or first. Segura has shown that he's unfit to be an everyday player at this stage of his career, yet Groshans' name hasn't even been floated as a promotion candidate. Understandably so. Time is still on Groshans' side. Although he is already repeating Triple-A, he's doing it as the youngest hitter on the Jumbo Shrimp roster. The Marlins have two more option years to use on him in 2024 and beyond if necessary. But make no mistake: the Marlins acquired him as a near-term reinforcement, not a long-term project. Things are not going according to plan. And remember the "player to be named later" mentioned earlier? That's Edward Duran, a 19-year-old C/1B with a 158 wRC+ in the Florida Complex League this season. Even if none of the principal players pan out, the Blue Jays at least have a lottery ticket to dream on. Photo by Kevin Barral/Fish On First

Today's Marlins news roundup also includes another critical mistake by the often-steady A.J. Puk.Tuesday's Games/game-coverage/marlins-cardinals-nolan-arenado-walk-off/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-07/18/afc7be2c-72534adc-a5963153-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Tuesday's Marlins MiLB Notes: C Austin Allen (Jacksonville) played first base for the first time all season. In the first game of his minor league rehab assignment, Avisaíl García went 0-for-3 with a run scored as the Blue Wahoos designated hitter. 1B Troy Johnston made the difference in Pensacola's victory by driving in five runs; in doing so, he became the team's all-time single-season RBI leader (77). LHP Josh Simpson (Jupiter) should be nearing a return to Triple-A after authoring two scoreless innings in his latest rehab appearance. Florida State League MVP candidate (if there is such a thing) 1B Torin Montgomery went 3-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base.Excellent job by Edward Cabrera in his return to the Marlins rotation (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 H, 74 pitches/44 strikes). His control was suspect in the beginning and his night ended on a sour note by allowing a game-tying home run to Brendan Donovan, but everything in between was encouraging. If the Marlins temporarily stick with a four-man rotation, Cabrera's next scheduled start would be at home against the Rockies on Sunday.For the third time in July, A.J. Puk yielded a devastating two-out, go-ahead home run (this time of the walk-off variety). Meanwhile, Tanner Scott has seized the team lead among relievers (min. 10 appearances) in ERA, FIP and WPA.For the first time since early June, the Marlins enter play without holding a National League playoff spot. The only other teams that remain winless since the All-Star break are the Reds and Pirates.Elsewhere around the majors, the Braves extended backup catcher Travis d'Arnaud for an additional year, guaranteeing his $8 million club option for 2024 and tacking on an identical option for 2025. 'Twas an incredibly high-scoring night with the Braves, Diamondbacks, Mets, Dodgers, Royals, Cubs, White Sox Reds, Giants, Twins and Guardians each blasting off for double-digit runs. Just like the Padres, the D-backs are now having their locally televised games produced and distributed by Major League Baseball after their Bally Sports affiliate fell behind on payments.The Marlins have a 47.3% chance to win their series finale against the Cardinals, per FanGraphs. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET) and High-A Beloit (7:35 p.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET) and Low-A Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET) are on the road.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 amplify to our audience before/during/after each of Marlins Twitter Spaces. Email Ely.Sussman@gmail.com for more information.The Just Baseball Show selects Sandy Alcantara, Bryan De La Cruz and A.J. Puk as x-factors for the Marlins moving forward.Fun, brief interview with RHP Noble Meyer in which he demonstrates his pitch grips and explains why it's important to him to limit walks.Marlins Historian asks what you think is the best shorthand name for LoanDepot Park. Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

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Today's Marlins news roundup also includes an update on Avisaíl García's progress.Monday's Game/game-coverage/marlins-cardinals-highlights-nolan-arenado-jesus-luzardo/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-07/17/d4df8583-32687580-e40bbbc0-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Monday's Marlins MiLB Notes: All three rookie-ball affiliates had their games suspended due to rain.Dylan Floro's earned run average ballooned to 4.86 during his rough inning on Monday. That's despite a fielder independent pitching of 2.85. He has been the fourth-unluckiest qualified MLB reliever this season by that measure.The Marlins became the first MLB team to ground into 100 double plays. Meanwhile, no other team has more than 81.Per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, RHP Justin Storm is the third Marlins draft pick to sign for less than his slot value, receiving a $241k bonus (slot was $261k). There's one more week remaining until the signing deadline (5:00 p.m. ET on July 25).Elsewhere around the majors, highly regarded Pirates prospects Endy Rodriguez and Quinn Priester debuted together in a blowout loss to the Guardians. Shohei Ohtani blasted his MLB-leading 35th home run in the Angels' victory over the Yankees. The latest episode of touched on Johnny Cueto, Edward Cabrera, Marlins/Cardinals trade possibilities and more. 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 38.6% chance to win their next game against the Cardinals, per FanGraphs. Edward Cabrera will be making his return from a five-week injured list stint, as will St. Louis outfielder Tyler O'Neill, who's been sidelined since early May. Double-A Pensacola (7:35 p.m. ET), High-A Beloit (7:35 p.m. ET), FCL Marlins (12:00 p.m. ET) and DSL Miami (11:00 a.m. ET) are at home, while Triple-A Jacksonville (7:35 p.m. ET), Low-A Jupiter (6:35 p.m. ET) and DSL Marlins (11:00 a.m. ET) are on the road.Daily scoreboard watching notes: root for the Orioles over the Dodgers, the Braves over the Diamondbacks, the Blue Jays over the Padres and the Nationals over the Cubs.Our MLB trade deadline coverage is at full intensity. The latest articles in there include my favorite right-handed reliever targets, Grant Kiefer's overview of realistically available and attainable players, and Kevin Barral's write-ups on rental starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Marcus Stroman.Per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com, Avisaíl García (left back tightness) will begin a rehab assignment with Pensacola tonight. His previous rehab assignment was derailed by a setback, but barring a repeat of that, he's on track to make it back to the Marlins active roster within the next two weeks.There have been upticks in Jean Segura's quality of contact and luck during his recent hot streak, writes Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.Luis Arraez and Jazz Chisholm Jr. were merely honorable mentions in the FanGraphs 2023 Trade Value series. Expect to see Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez ranked inside the top 40 as the rest of the list gets unveiled this week. Perhaps Jesús Luzardo sneaks in there, too.Marlins Historian asks what you think is the best shorthand name for LoanDepot Park. Happy 23rd birthday to Marlins RHP Ike Buxton. Miami's 15th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft has a 1.91 ERA in 33.0 IP for Jupiter this season with a huge 58.6% groundball rate. He's been stretched out as a starter after originally being utilized out of the bullpen.

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