1 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: Here we go the officials show here on the Fish 2 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,840 Speaker 1: Stripes podcast. I'm Eli Susman, managing editor at Fists Stripes, 3 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:23,240 Speaker 1: where we cover all things Miami Marlins every day in 4 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,320 Speaker 1: our own way. This episode is brought to you by 5 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 1: Symbol the Stock Market for Sports. I appreciate everybody joining 6 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: us here on a Thursday. This is going to be 7 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,640 Speaker 1: an all pitching episode where we just focus on the 8 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:40,519 Speaker 1: guys on the mounds, coming off the day where three 9 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:43,800 Speaker 1: of my most intriguing players in the entire Marlins organization 10 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:49,479 Speaker 1: officially made their regular season debuts as Marlins prospects or 11 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: major leaguers. So as you can see in the title 12 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 1: of this podcast, those three guys are Max Meyer, Dax Fulton, 13 00:00:56,760 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: and Anthony Bender hashtag Bender Main. We got to see 14 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:05,040 Speaker 1: all three of those guys in action on Wednesday, and 15 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,559 Speaker 1: we are going to it's a blend. It's a blend, 16 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: of course, of the prospects and of the major leagues. 17 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: Usually we keep those separate. Right here on the official show, 18 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: we try to keep the focus on the major league 19 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: Marlins team and big picture situation with the franchise, and 20 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: for prospect coverage, we have all the written coverage up 21 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,320 Speaker 1: at fish Stripes dot com Slash Prospects. We have our 22 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: new Twitter account at phish Prospects on Twitter that covers 23 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,559 Speaker 1: all those in game actions, and we have our separate 24 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: podcast episodes usually called Earning Their Stripes, but in this situation, 25 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: I felt it's appropriate to blend them together because the 26 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: Marlins have so much invested in these two particular prospects, 27 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: Max Meyer and Dax Fulton. We're going to start with them, 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:53,360 Speaker 1: and then later in the episode, we're going to dissect 29 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 1: Anthony Bender's thrilling major league debut and have a longer 30 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: conversation about the state of the Marlins bullpen coming off again, 31 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: where they relied entirely on their relief pitchers to get 32 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: through Wednesday's blowout win over the Diamondbacks. We start with 33 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: the prospects, the top two picks that the Marlins made 34 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: in the twenty twenty MLB Draft Combined between Meyer and Fulton, 35 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: they have more than nine million dollars invested in these 36 00:02:21,639 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: two guys in terms of the signing bonuses that they 37 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 1: received last summer when signing with the team. Quickly, just 38 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 1: to get everybody up to speed in case you don't 39 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: aren't locked in on the prospect side all that closely. 40 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 1: I'll go through the scouting reports that we had on 41 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 1: these two guys prior to this game. Obviously, with Meyer, 42 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,520 Speaker 1: this is going to be kind of a consolidation between 43 00:02:43,560 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: Baseball America, MLB pipeline Fangrafts. Thinks that they could really 44 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 1: agree upon that the characteristics of these pictures with Max 45 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: Meyer number three overall pick in the twenty twenty draft, 46 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: a little bit of a surprise that the Marlins gotten 47 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:03,040 Speaker 1: that high, but not totally consider tering just the incredible 48 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 1: stuff that he has a special, special slider. Everybody agrees 49 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 1: on that. In fact, Baseball America just earlier this week 50 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 1: called it the number one breaking ball in all of 51 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: minor league baseball. That slider, his fastball, don't want to 52 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:21,880 Speaker 1: be completely overshadowed. It can touch one hundred miles per 53 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: hour at its best on usually sitting in the mid 54 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 1: nineties with its velocity two plus pitches, slider really being 55 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: a double plus pitches, a potential transformational pitch. But the 56 00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 1: fastball is great too. And then there's a change up. 57 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: During his media availability with US, I think it was 58 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: on Sunday at Double A Pensacola, Meyer was pretty insistent 59 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 1: that his change up continues to come a long way. 60 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: I feel like my junior or college I was thrown 61 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 2: it pretty well, but you know, my fastball and slider 62 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,880 Speaker 2: was just dominating hitters, so I didn't really feel the 63 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,560 Speaker 2: need to master on with the change up. But then 64 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 2: when I got here, I got a lot of good 65 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,360 Speaker 2: movement on it, really good movement. But sometimes when I 66 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,000 Speaker 2: throw it, it'd be just like a ball out of 67 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 2: ball hand. So you know it has a good movement, 68 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 2: but I just need to get in the zone. And 69 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 2: once I was able to work on pens and live hitters, 70 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 2: just making sure it was in the zone. Started maybe 71 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,680 Speaker 2: at if the left he's in the box like his hands, 72 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 2: and then I drop right in the zone and that's 73 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 2: where it's going to become really good for me. And 74 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 2: I've been able to really dial that in. 75 00:04:28,080 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: All the scouts believe that at least it has the 76 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 1: potential to be an average pitch if he gets more 77 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,840 Speaker 1: consistency with it, more depth with that pitch. With these 78 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: all these offerings, he has reliable control and the real 79 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: only knock on Max Meyer. The reason why he wasn't 80 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: considered by many to be a contender for the number 81 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: three pick in the draft or the top pitcher off 82 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 1: the board. Overall in that draft class is that he's 83 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: slightly undersized. He's listed at six feet, not even two 84 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,880 Speaker 1: hundred pounds, maybe about one hundred and ninety. That's less 85 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,840 Speaker 1: than what you expect from a starting pitcher, and traditionally 86 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: in baseball, when you are that size, there's this arbitrary 87 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 1: cutoff that you want to be a little over six feet, 88 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 1: you want to be well over two hundred pounds, and 89 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 1: if you're not, then teams historically are generally going to 90 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,839 Speaker 1: push you towards the bullpen and a relief roll. They're 91 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 1: concerned that you just don't have the physical bulk to 92 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: hold up over x number of pitches in the game 93 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 1: or a certain number of starts over a season, and 94 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: just because of that, there's that bias working against him. 95 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 1: Overall scouting grade from these different outlets, most of them 96 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 1: have him right around a fifty five prospect on the 97 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,880 Speaker 1: twenty to eighty scale, where fifty is about a major 98 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: league average player. They think pretty comfortably that he can 99 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: be an above average major leaguer if he just continues 100 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: doing what he's doing. He is highly regarded as being 101 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 1: quick to the majors. There was that hint that he 102 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: might come up at some point last year, but realistically, 103 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 1: even entering this start, there was an hope that he 104 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,920 Speaker 1: could be in the majors later here in twenty twenty 105 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: one because of how polished he is coming out of 106 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: the University of Minnesota. Dax Fulton some similarities, as you'll 107 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: find out in a moment, but also a much different 108 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 1: stage of his career Fulton where he was drafted out 109 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 1: of high school in Oklahoma, and when the Marlins selected him. 110 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 1: The reason why he was even available to them with 111 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: their second pick is that he underwent Tommy John surgery 112 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 1: in September twenty nineteen. Prior to that, most evaluators had 113 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,000 Speaker 1: a first round grade on him. And why was that? Again, 114 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,120 Speaker 1: this is referring to Scottland reports from Baseball America MLB 115 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: pipeline fangrafts. They love his curveball. It's a plus curveball 116 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 1: that has good depth to it. His fastball sits prior 117 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: to surgery sitting in the low nineties eighty nine to 118 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 1: ninety three, maybe ninety to ninety four, where for a 119 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 1: left hander that's extremely solid, especially for at the time 120 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:01,960 Speaker 1: a seventeen year old left hander, and Fulton is now 121 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: nineteen years old. So in addition to the curveball, in 122 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 1: the fastball, there's optimism with that velocity that it would 123 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,160 Speaker 1: go up coming out of Tommy John surgery. We have 124 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: seen that again and again that with Tommy John it 125 00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:17,760 Speaker 1: could take you a while to get back. In this case, 126 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: Fulton needed what a full twenty months between appearances between 127 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: undergoing surgery and appearing in his first affiliated game with 128 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 1: low Aid Jupiter. But once you get back from that surgery, 129 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:33,520 Speaker 1: and if you have the opportunity to put on some 130 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 1: good weight during your rehab, that velocity could tick up 131 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,760 Speaker 1: from where it was prior to that. In addition to 132 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: those two pitches, Fulton's changeup has average potential, Maybe not 133 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 1: quite as optimistic about it as with Max Meyer's change up, 134 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 1: but nonetheless a real third pitch, which is so critical 135 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: if you're going to try to stick as a starting pitcher. 136 00:07:57,440 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: With Meyer, the reason why he has overcome some of 137 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: the doubts about his size is that he's just an 138 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 1: excellent athlete. You could see it in his delivery and 139 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: you can see it in the fact that he played 140 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: both sides of the ball at Minnesota at times in 141 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 1: college that his athleticism is something that being able to 142 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: repeat his delivery again and again and again that will 143 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: help him avoid injuries. And with Fulton he's a much 144 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:26,320 Speaker 1: different build. I mean, if anything, he has the ideal 145 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: size for a pitching prospect at six foot six and 146 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 1: about almost two hundred and twenty five pounds. However, he 147 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 1: has that same kind of athleticism to it and repeatability 148 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 1: in his delivery that lends some optimism that he can 149 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: be a consistent pitcher and a starting pitcher overall. Great 150 00:08:45,400 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: on Fulton, though, as a prospect is there's a larger 151 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:52,320 Speaker 1: range of a variety of opinions in with Meyer, whereas 152 00:08:52,360 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: there's that consensus that Meyer could be an above average 153 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: starter in the majors. Fulton, his scouting grade overall ranges 154 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:02,320 Speaker 1: generally between a forty and fifty. So going to their 155 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 1: debuts that happened on Wednesday, we'll start with Fulton. With Jupiter, 156 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 1: three innx pitched, four hits, allowed three earned runs, two walks, 157 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: two strikeouts, took him sixty eight pitches and once that 158 00:09:15,400 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: I like to use, I'll be using more and more. 159 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:22,559 Speaker 1: Is CSW rates called strikes plus whiffs that I'll let 160 00:09:22,600 --> 00:09:25,080 Speaker 1: you know how much the pitcher is actually controlling the 161 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: game based on how many pitches they're locating accurately in 162 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: the strike zone and how many bats they're missing. And 163 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 1: with Fulton just a seventeen point six percent CSW percentage 164 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 1: in this start, which is that's really mediocre against the 165 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 1: Mets affiliate here in the Low A Southeast League, he 166 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 1: llowed four stolen bases on the mount, he threw three 167 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: wild pitches. He even hit a batter as well, So 168 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: it was it was an adventure to say the least, 169 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: in fact, coming out of the Jupiter bullpen. In relief 170 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,240 Speaker 1: of him, Sean Reynolds, a converted first baseman who's now 171 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 1: a two way player, Sean Reynolds was arguably the more 172 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,959 Speaker 1: effective pitcher for Jupiter in this game instead of Fulton, 173 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:13,240 Speaker 1: who is universally regarded as, if not the best left 174 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,040 Speaker 1: handed pitching prospect in the organization, then number two, right 175 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: behind Braxton Garrett. So just based on the pitch tracking 176 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: we got from MiLB dot com, most of his misspots 177 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 1: were to the arm side, missing inside to left handed batters, 178 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 1: missing away to right handed batters, indicative of somebody who 179 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 1: just wasn't following all the way through on his delivery, 180 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: his arm kind of trailing the rest of his body 181 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: and not fully completing that motion. It was the first 182 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: step for Fulton. Just great to see that he was 183 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: available for this very first turn of the rotation beginning 184 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 1: this minor league season. Obviously a lot to work on 185 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 1: with him, but the expectation is that he'll have all 186 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:54,439 Speaker 1: year in that Jupiter rotation, pitching about once a week. 187 00:10:55,920 --> 00:10:58,240 Speaker 1: It's a first step. So encouraging just to see him 188 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,920 Speaker 1: out there in real competition. And then to Max Meyer, 189 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 1: that's what all of you, i imagine, are really salivating 190 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: over if you just saw the results. Five innings pitched, 191 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:10,960 Speaker 1: one hit that he allowed in that fifth and final ending, 192 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:15,679 Speaker 1: zero runs, one walk, five k's, sixty five pitches and 193 00:11:15,720 --> 00:11:20,480 Speaker 1: going back to CSW, caldstri cald strikes plus whiffs a 194 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: thirty one percent CSW rate in this game, which, just 195 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 1: to put it in perspective compared to a major league game, 196 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: that's well above average for a starting pitcher's performance. He 197 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 1: did this against the Double A Braves affiliate Mississippi Braves 198 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: on the road. You know from that skyting report and 199 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,480 Speaker 1: from just all the buzz around Meyer that the key 200 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: for him is his slider. That is what separates him 201 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,719 Speaker 1: from anybody else in this organization. And his slider was 202 00:11:49,760 --> 00:11:52,199 Speaker 1: great in this game. The very first batter he faced 203 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: slider strikeout. The only hit that Meyer allowed in this 204 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: game also came on a slider. He kind of hung 205 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: it to a right handed batter in the fifth ending 206 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: and there's a ground ball through the right side nearly 207 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: perfect outside of that man. It was as good as 208 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: you could hope for for a very first outing for Meyer, 209 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: and when according to plan they had told us on 210 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 1: Sunday during the media availability, he'd be limited to about 211 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: five endings, and the plan going forward is that he'll 212 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:23,120 Speaker 1: be pitching about once per week that the team is 213 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 1: playing six games a week. Some of the other starters 214 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:28,840 Speaker 1: may be on a five day rest cycle or but 215 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: he'll They'll be extra careful with him, knowing that even 216 00:12:32,679 --> 00:12:35,480 Speaker 1: in college he spent some time pitching out of the bullpen, 217 00:12:35,559 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 1: he just didn't get the opportunity to build up endings. 218 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 1: So simply keeping him healthy for the season will be 219 00:12:41,280 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 1: a huge win. And honestly, if he just stays healthy 220 00:12:43,920 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 1: for this whole year, he might wind up in the 221 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: majors before it's all said and done, because you could 222 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 1: see the command that he had in this game was 223 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 1: just that one walk and the way he finished that 224 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: outing was that put the cherry on top where he 225 00:12:57,080 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: had a perfectly located fastball on the opt outside corner 226 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: to a left handed batter to get out of that 227 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: fifth ending, and he knew it out of his hands. 228 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 1: He had that nice strut coming off the mounds in 229 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: the fifth ending. Incredible first step for Meyer. Were very 230 00:13:11,360 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: grateful that we had an opportunity to see it, and 231 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,679 Speaker 1: then he'll be pitching this upcoming week for the first 232 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,640 Speaker 1: time at home in Pensacola, where my understanding is their 233 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: television broadcast is even better, so you can see all 234 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:23,880 Speaker 1: the highlights of that. We have it written up on 235 00:13:24,040 --> 00:13:26,240 Speaker 1: the site earning their Stripes or Farm Report, and we 236 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: have more of the pitch highlights on our satellite Twitter 237 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: account at Phish Prospects. Great first step for Meyer at 238 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: the double A level and Pensacola gets the win out 239 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 1: of that as well. Next step, we are going to 240 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:45,680 Speaker 1: dive into bender Mania and exactly how this Marlins bullpen 241 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 1: is shaping up as we get now twenty nine games 242 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: into the regular season. It's been overhauled over the winter, 243 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: and there's some interesting conclusions that I have to share 244 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 1: about where we are with this relief corps. We'll get 245 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 1: right that after this commercial break. Here at fish Stripes, 246 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: we are celebrating two months of partnership with Symbol, the 247 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 1: stock market for sports. 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When you deposit, make sure to use 258 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:53,000 Speaker 1: the promo code fish Stripes all one word fish Stripes 259 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 1: that gets you a ten dollars deposit bonus so that 260 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 1: you can begin building your portfolio. Promo code fish Stripes 261 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 1: to get that bonus on simple invest in what you 262 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: know invest in sports. One of my favorite moments of 263 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: the young Marlins season so far, Anthony benders debut at 264 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: the major league level. A quick refresher. This guy was 265 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: electric in spring training. He threw harder than any other 266 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: Marlins pitcher. He complimented it with a wipeout slider. He 267 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: kept the ball on the ground. He showed great movement 268 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 1: on his pitches in spring training. He didn't allow any 269 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:34,360 Speaker 1: runs during spring training, play in eight and two thirds innings, 270 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 1: showing all the ingredients of a guy that could get 271 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: out to the major league level, even though this is 272 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: a pitcher with a very modest track record who as 273 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 1: recently his last year was inconsistent pitching an independent leagues 274 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: that he came out of nowhere as a non roster 275 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: invite you to spring training. The Marlins didn't have a 276 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,760 Speaker 1: spot for him on the opening day roster, but thankfully 277 00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 1: they had the flexibility to keep him in their organization, 278 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: to sign him to the alternate training site, the Fish Tank, 279 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: and right before the Triple A season was about to 280 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: get underway, they had Bender tag along with them on 281 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 1: their long road trip on their taxi squad just in 282 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:15,920 Speaker 1: case they didn't need him. Then but the situation came 283 00:16:16,040 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 1: up perfectly right here earlier this week with the news 284 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,239 Speaker 1: that Paul Campbell had been suspended for a positive steroid 285 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 1: test that cleared the spot on both the active and 286 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: the forty minute roster, and in that immediate situation, Bender 287 00:16:30,520 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: got the call. He joined the team technically before Tuesday's game. 288 00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: Wasn't needed in that one, but here on Wednesday, they 289 00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: went with a full bullpen game, and especially when we 290 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 1: got later in the game and the Marlins got a 291 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 1: substantial lead, Don Mattingley was comfortable calling on Anthony Bender 292 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: in this one. He was from the very first batter 293 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: man he looked exactly like the guy we saw in 294 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 1: spring training, touching ninety nine miles per hour in this game. 295 00:16:56,440 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: Bender had the nine fastest pitches of on either team 296 00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:06,119 Speaker 1: in Wednesday's game, maxing out at ninety nine consistently ninety 297 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 1: seven ninety eight with his sinker very first batter that 298 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 1: he faced, incredible armside run on that fastball to get 299 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 1: the called strikeout. You have to see the highlights of 300 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: that that we posted on fish stripes Man his first 301 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: major league strikeout ninety eight miles an hour. Welcome to 302 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:31,320 Speaker 1: the Big League's Anthony Bender. From my goodness, he that's 303 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 1: something you can't really teach to get that kind of 304 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:37,199 Speaker 1: movement on your fastball. He has it. Two strikeouts in 305 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:39,919 Speaker 1: his one scoreless ending. He allowed one hit, a little 306 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:42,520 Speaker 1: a single that went up the middle, through twenty one 307 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 1: pitches overall, and he showed he belonged, plain and simple. 308 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: All he had to do was be the same guy 309 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: we saw in spring training. Of course, facing the Diamondbacks 310 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:54,880 Speaker 1: in this one. That was a team that didn't get 311 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:58,439 Speaker 1: any looks at him during spring training. So of course 312 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 1: this is just the first step in a very long road. 313 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 1: We'll see how the rest of the league adjusts to 314 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 1: him when they get a chance to face him as well. 315 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,439 Speaker 1: But my expectation is that he will be on this 316 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:15,119 Speaker 1: roster indefinitely. No guarantees. Of course, he needs to continue 317 00:18:15,160 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 1: to earn it, but for the moment, he is a 318 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 1: big asset that they have. There are some similarities. This 319 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:25,239 Speaker 1: has been pointed out to me that there are some 320 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:28,200 Speaker 1: similarities between Bender and some of the other right handed 321 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 1: pitchers in this bullpen in terms of having a great 322 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: fastball and having a wipeout slider. Jimmy Garcia is a 323 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:38,120 Speaker 1: fastball slider guy. Jordan Holloway is a fastball slider guy. 324 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,679 Speaker 1: Who else I think, of course John Curtis, who will 325 00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:43,639 Speaker 1: get to in a moment the best example fastball slider, 326 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:45,720 Speaker 1: and that's kind of all he throws. But Bender is 327 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:47,960 Speaker 1: a little bit different with the movement that he gets, 328 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 1: the armside movement that he gets on his fastball, and 329 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: his ability to throw that slider from strike for strikes. 330 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 1: His release point is a little bit lower than you 331 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: see with John Curtis than with Jordan Holloway, and even 332 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: with Zach Pop as well, he had another fast fall 333 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:05,800 Speaker 1: slider from the right side that I feel there's enough 334 00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 1: uniqueness to what he does that you still sort of 335 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:14,440 Speaker 1: get different looks that will blend together, that will compliment 336 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,399 Speaker 1: each other. Which is something that they've talked about on 337 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 1: the Marlins dating back to the offseason, is creating a 338 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: bullpen with a variety of looks so that each one 339 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,719 Speaker 1: of those pitchers can be successful even when used in 340 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 1: the same game. And I think Bender does just enough 341 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 1: unique stuff to do that. But this is going to 342 00:19:32,520 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: lead into a final topic, which is wide ranging breakdown 343 00:19:36,359 --> 00:19:39,400 Speaker 1: of where we are with this Marlins bullpen. Twenty nine 344 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,879 Speaker 1: games into the season more than one sixth of the 345 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,399 Speaker 1: way there. We knew this was a shaky element to 346 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 1: the team last year. Last year they had Brandon Kinsler 347 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: finding a way to get all those saves in high 348 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:55,200 Speaker 1: pressure situations. They had Yimmy Garcia as the best version 349 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:58,160 Speaker 1: of himself, and then there was a massive drop off 350 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:01,720 Speaker 1: to the rest of the group season's bullpen a five 351 00:20:01,760 --> 00:20:05,680 Speaker 1: point fifty er for the entire season for the entire 352 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: bullpen combined, and their field or independent pitching right in 353 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,160 Speaker 1: line with that, if not slightly worse. A five to six' 354 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: FIVE fip for the team's bullpen for a team that 355 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 1: miraculously made the playoffs despite having simply some terrible performances 356 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: from their relief. Pitchers and this, year in terms of 357 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 1: those big picture, stats it is a different. Story THEIR 358 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: era is down more than two full runs this year 359 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:36,920 Speaker 1: to three point four to. Six THEIR fip is nearly 360 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 1: down two runs as well to three point eight, two 361 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: both of those marks much better than the league. Average in, 362 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 1: fact THE era is comfortably within the top ten in the. 363 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:48,640 Speaker 1: League when you think of this bullpen and you think 364 00:20:48,640 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: of where The marlins record is and why they're struggling 365 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: so much in close. Games of, course you go back 366 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:56,679 Speaker 1: to the fact that they have blown nine saves compared 367 00:20:56,720 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 1: to all of last, season they only blew five as they, 368 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:04,000 Speaker 1: Grew so that's a of obviously a very discouraging step 369 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:08,359 Speaker 1: back in that. DEPARTMENT i JUST i don't think there's 370 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:11,520 Speaker 1: a whole lot of concern about that moving. Forward it's 371 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 1: not just been one. Guy you. Know it started With Anthony. 372 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 1: Bass he blew two saves right there near the start 373 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:19,720 Speaker 1: of the. Season but blown saves don't only have to 374 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: be in the ninth. Inning in, FACT i Mean bass's latest, 375 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 1: appearance and we'll get to him in a moment, too 376 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:26,960 Speaker 1: he came in the eighth inning with a one run of, 377 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,719 Speaker 1: lead gave up that, lead which was kind of as 378 00:21:29,720 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: a blown save as. Well Jimmy garcia had several blown 379 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 1: saves in different several different, endings one in extra, INNINGS i, 380 00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 1: think one in a setup. Role Dylan floro had a 381 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 1: blown save coming in in the ninth. Inning Richard bleier 382 00:21:42,520 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: has at least one blown save this season pitching in middle. 383 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:49,879 Speaker 1: Relief it's not just been one, guy but most of 384 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 1: these blown saves haven't really been. EGREGIOUS i mean a 385 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 1: couple of them have been in extra innings when nursing 386 00:21:56,119 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 1: a one run of lead with an automatic runner on second, 387 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 1: base of the opinion that shouldn't even count as a 388 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 1: blow and save under those very unusual circumstances that are 389 00:22:05,640 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: new to the. Game so that's the one thing that 390 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:11,359 Speaker 1: has obviously cost some games early. On but when you 391 00:22:11,400 --> 00:22:13,720 Speaker 1: just look at the overall performance of that their run, 392 00:22:13,760 --> 00:22:18,760 Speaker 1: prevention their strikeouts and, walks their, peripherals and even their 393 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:21,840 Speaker 1: strand rate as. Well one reason why they overachieved a 394 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,399 Speaker 1: little bit out of the bullpen last season is that 395 00:22:24,440 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 1: they stranded two thirds of the runners that got on 396 00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: only thirty three percent of base runners that were inherited, 397 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,159 Speaker 1: scored and this year that's even ticked up slightly to 398 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 1: just thirty two percent of inherited runners coming around to. 399 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:41,840 Speaker 1: Score so getting into a few individual, Players Anthony bass 400 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 1: got off too started the season on the wrong. Foot 401 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,399 Speaker 1: don manningly acted very swiftly and removed him from the 402 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:50,880 Speaker 1: closer's role when he realized something was. WRONG i, mean 403 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:52,480 Speaker 1: what was wrong is That bess just did not know 404 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:54,679 Speaker 1: where his pitches were, going so he was putting on 405 00:22:54,760 --> 00:22:58,040 Speaker 1: automatic base runners with walks and of course that Infamous 406 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:01,159 Speaker 1: Michael confordo hit by. Pitch but even more concerning is 407 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:03,080 Speaker 1: that he was missing in the strike. Zone he was 408 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:05,919 Speaker 1: missing in different parts of the strike zone and keeping 409 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 1: his pitches up so that opponents could do damage against. 410 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:11,360 Speaker 1: Him as someone that came into the season with an 411 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 1: extremely high ground ball rate and optimism that he could 412 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:17,359 Speaker 1: keep the ball in the infield to playing to a 413 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,920 Speaker 1: big strength of This marlins, team he has not been 414 00:23:19,920 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 1: able to do, That and, HONESTLY i was so confused 415 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: by maybe some of us are watching the game a 416 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: little bit, differently but he had this streak of eight 417 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 1: straight scoreless appearances prior to coming into the game On, 418 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 1: tuesday and they brought him in a very high leverage 419 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: situation with a one run lead in the eighth. Inning 420 00:23:40,359 --> 00:23:43,399 Speaker 1: that's about as close to a normal closer spot as 421 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: you can get just one ending prior to, that and 422 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 1: from the beginning it was a head scratcher to. ME 423 00:23:49,800 --> 00:23:53,879 Speaker 1: i don't understand anybody that really had confidence in him 424 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 1: at that, moment because even during the scoreless streak there 425 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,000 Speaker 1: were flashes of nice stuff of well located hat. Fastballs 426 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 1: he's still not using a splitter as much as he 427 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 1: said he would try to do this season to keep 428 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:09,119 Speaker 1: especially to keep left handed hitters off, balance and he 429 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,000 Speaker 1: wasn't missing many bats at. All this is a guy 430 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:14,359 Speaker 1: THAT i feel like has been the beneficiary of some 431 00:24:14,560 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 1: exceptional defensive, play even more so than other pitchers on this, 432 00:24:18,359 --> 00:24:20,840 Speaker 1: team and should not have been all that high up 433 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: in the pecking order just because he was on this 434 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:26,879 Speaker 1: run of keeping throwing up zeros on the. SCOREBOARD i 435 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,199 Speaker 1: feel like a lot of that was out of his, 436 00:24:28,200 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 1: control and, Honestly tuesday's results did not shock me to any. 437 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 1: Extent AND i hope mattinglyuss because he has some strong 438 00:24:38,040 --> 00:24:40,800 Speaker 1: candidates now to kind of fill out that bridge leading 439 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:44,360 Speaker 1: up To Jimmy, garcia WHO i imagine is still firmly 440 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 1: in that closer. Spot the first one that needs to 441 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,639 Speaker 1: be highlighted Is John Curtis. MAN i, mean to this 442 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:52,879 Speaker 1: point in the, season pitched two more scoreless endings On, 443 00:24:52,920 --> 00:24:58,960 Speaker 1: wednesday and overall eighteen strikeouts and zero walks on the, 444 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 1: season no walks this entire. Season you don't want to 445 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: reduce relief pitching down to that simple of, terms but 446 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 1: those are really the most important keys to a relief 447 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:14,920 Speaker 1: pitcher is not giving out free passes and creating, strikeouts 448 00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 1: so that unproductive outs when you do have runners on 449 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:20,680 Speaker 1: base that need to be, stranded and he's doing that 450 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,199 Speaker 1: very early in the. Season kind of Like Anthony, bass 451 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 1: he got off to a concerning start mainly because his 452 00:25:27,320 --> 00:25:30,560 Speaker 1: slider just was not working at. All he's someone, that 453 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:32,480 Speaker 1: even more so Than, bass is limited to just a 454 00:25:32,520 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 1: fastball slider, combination and early on in the season his 455 00:25:35,880 --> 00:25:38,280 Speaker 1: slider just was not sharp with its location or its. 456 00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: Movement he made the. ADJUSTMENT a credit to, him he 457 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:44,199 Speaker 1: figured it out and has been nearly perfect over the 458 00:25:44,240 --> 00:25:48,560 Speaker 1: last month since those first couple. Appearances, exceptional and Yet 459 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,000 Speaker 1: wednesday's game was just the second appearance this season That 460 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:56,880 Speaker 1: John curtis had entered with a lead in a significant. 461 00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:58,800 Speaker 1: Position there were a couple of other close games and 462 00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 1: tied games that he entered in as, well But John 463 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:06,440 Speaker 1: mattingly has not really regarded him as a trustworthy setup. 464 00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 1: GUY i don't know what else he needs to see 465 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:12,760 Speaker 1: to change, that Because John curtis is now locked in like. 466 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 1: This it's a simple. Formula but when you're able to 467 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:20,080 Speaker 1: locate both of those great, pitches his fastball as of, 468 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:23,199 Speaker 1: yesterday touching ninety seven miles per. Hour he had some 469 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 1: extra v low on that as. Well he is feeling 470 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:28,639 Speaker 1: great right, now AND i would hope that outside Of Jimmy, 471 00:26:28,680 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 1: garcia outside Of Dylan. Floro you guys know HOW i 472 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,320 Speaker 1: feel About Dylan, floro how Impressed i've been by him this, 473 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 1: season That John curtis should really be in that top 474 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,200 Speaker 1: three in that circle of trust guys in this bullpen 475 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:45,320 Speaker 1: that you unconditionally trust THAT i unconditionally. TRUST i Hope 476 00:26:45,359 --> 00:26:48,320 Speaker 1: Don mattingly feels the same way that those THREE i 477 00:26:48,359 --> 00:26:51,359 Speaker 1: believe have really, separate separated themselves from the rest of the. 478 00:26:51,359 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 1: Group Richard blier deserves a shout. Out he was the 479 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: one that bailed Out bass On tuesday, night kept the 480 00:26:57,600 --> 00:27:02,919 Speaker 1: game tied entire dramatically swung the win probability in that 481 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:05,680 Speaker 1: game all by himself by striking out back to back 482 00:27:05,720 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: to back. Batters just Like John, Curtis blier has not 483 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:12,360 Speaker 1: allowed to walk all season. LONG i Believe i've talked 484 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:14,639 Speaker 1: about this previously, though about what was going wrong For 485 00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 1: blier early on this. Season for someone that has been 486 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:23,320 Speaker 1: at the top of the list for years and years 487 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:28,159 Speaker 1: managing quality of, contact generating ground balls that all the 488 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,680 Speaker 1: home runs that he was allowing earlier this season were 489 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:35,119 Speaker 1: a huge red flag with, him and he's quietly started 490 00:27:35,119 --> 00:27:38,119 Speaker 1: to straighten that. OUT i, mean this appearance was perhaps 491 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,400 Speaker 1: the best that he's had ever since joining The. Marlins 492 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:43,359 Speaker 1: that goes without. Saying the key for him is not 493 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:45,439 Speaker 1: going to be missing bats moving, forward because he is 494 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 1: going to have limitations in that aspect of his. Game 495 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: his stuff simply is not that. Good but as long 496 00:27:51,160 --> 00:27:54,040 Speaker 1: as he is keeping the ball in the, BALLPARK i, 497 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:57,240 Speaker 1: mean that's what has Led blier to this, point making 498 00:27:57,359 --> 00:28:01,160 Speaker 1: him he's arguably the most accomplished relief on this entire 499 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:05,600 Speaker 1: team prior to twenty twenty, one and just great to 500 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: see that he's kind of calming. Down he's not really 501 00:28:07,920 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 1: in that circle of trust, YET i would, say even 502 00:28:10,800 --> 00:28:14,360 Speaker 1: THOUGH i mean Apparently Don mattingly feels the same. Way 503 00:28:14,440 --> 00:28:16,680 Speaker 1: IF i was, MADDENINGLY i would kind of Flip blier 504 00:28:16,760 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: And curtis in terms of the situations that they're being used. 505 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:22,080 Speaker 1: IN i Feel curtis is the one that is more 506 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:25,639 Speaker 1: reliable because he could be more dominant with the stuff 507 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:29,159 Speaker 1: that he. Has as long As blier is pitching the 508 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: way he has, recently, though it's a good problem to, 509 00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,359 Speaker 1: have and he is someone that very soon you could 510 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:38,280 Speaker 1: start holding in that same regard as someone that you 511 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:42,800 Speaker 1: trust in all these high leverage. Situations but just to 512 00:28:42,840 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 1: cap this, OFF i think it should be pointed, out 513 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:48,440 Speaker 1: this has been really encouraging how the bullpen has. PERFORMED i, 514 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 1: mean this was the main change to the team over 515 00:28:50,960 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 1: the off. SEASON a lot of continuity on this team 516 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:56,000 Speaker 1: except in the relief pitching and most of the. Moves 517 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:58,720 Speaker 1: you need to give credit to general Manager Kim ang 518 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: that a lot of these moves over one month into 519 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 1: the season are looking. Great these new. Additions curtis was 520 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:08,800 Speaker 1: a new addition acquired from The Tampa Bay, Rays Dylan 521 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 1: floro new addition trade from The. Dodgers who else do 522 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: we want to talk? About of? Course of Course Anthony. 523 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,520 Speaker 1: Bender Anthony bender was a non roster invitee to spring 524 00:29:17,640 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 1: training that they found and apparently other teams. Overlooked and 525 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:25,520 Speaker 1: that's just to give some of. It The rule five draft. 526 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 1: Picks we know That Paul campbell was, well let's not 527 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 1: talk more About Paul, campbell But Zach. Pop Zach pop 528 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:35,120 Speaker 1: was the one who finished Off wednesday's, win and he's 529 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:38,040 Speaker 1: been inconsistent as you would expect from someone coming Off Tommy, 530 00:29:38,080 --> 00:29:39,880 Speaker 1: john who for the most part had to skip the 531 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 1: high levels of the miners due to His rule five. 532 00:29:42,560 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 1: Status but for the vast majority of his outings he 533 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:50,080 Speaker 1: has thrown up, zeros a couple of notable blow, ups 534 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:53,000 Speaker 1: and aside from, those he's been. Great he seems to 535 00:29:53,040 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 1: be getting a lot better as the season is going, 536 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,320 Speaker 1: on which is all you can ask for A rule 537 00:29:57,360 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 1: five guy who by rule has to be in this 538 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:03,920 Speaker 1: bullpen if The marlins want to retain. THEM i see 539 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 1: some really nice potential In Zach pop looking long, term 540 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:09,120 Speaker 1: even if in the short term you mostly want to 541 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:12,440 Speaker 1: just hide him in a mop up. DUTY i just 542 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 1: want to point out that The marlins have been fortunate 543 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 1: with this. BULLPEN i think what we're seeing right, now 544 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:19,520 Speaker 1: this bullpen that as mentioned three point four to sixty 545 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:23,280 Speaker 1: three point eight TWO, fip one of the best strikeout 546 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:26,480 Speaker 1: minus walk rates in all Of Major League baseball this, 547 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 1: season that this is probably the peak of what this 548 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:33,920 Speaker 1: bullpen looks. Like you saw On, wednesday five pitchers combining 549 00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:37,240 Speaker 1: for a, shutout and we need to give that final 550 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:40,800 Speaker 1: shout out To Ross, statweiler who started this, game who 551 00:30:40,920 --> 00:30:43,120 Speaker 1: looked was perfect in his two innings of. Work and 552 00:30:43,160 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: he's yet another new addition acquired over the offseason for 553 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:50,120 Speaker 1: a guaranteed major league contract THAT i personally did not 554 00:30:50,200 --> 00:30:53,080 Speaker 1: believe he, deserved and yet he is for the most, 555 00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:56,520 Speaker 1: part making good on that contract so. Far with his 556 00:30:56,680 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 1: versatility to appear in different, SITUATIONS i think think this 557 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:03,880 Speaker 1: is the peak of what this bullpen looks, like just 558 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:07,520 Speaker 1: because they've been very fortunate in terms of their. Availability 559 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 1: we complain about the losses of six So sanchez of, 560 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:15,360 Speaker 1: course and Eliez Or, Hernandez, Starling Martze, Jazz Chisholm. Junior 561 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:16,960 Speaker 1: who else are were talking about at the time That 562 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 1: Brian anderson missed That jorge Al faro is still, Out 563 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:22,760 Speaker 1: but the bullpen has been almost exempt from the injury. 564 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:26,719 Speaker 1: Bug The marlins now After wednesday's, game have seven pitchers 565 00:31:26,760 --> 00:31:30,040 Speaker 1: who have made twelve or more. Appearances the guys that 566 00:31:30,080 --> 00:31:32,920 Speaker 1: are appearing pretty consistently in different roles most of the 567 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:36,640 Speaker 1: names that we've. Mentioned Also Adam simber as, well you 568 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 1: know him coming in in a lot of precarious situations 569 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:44,400 Speaker 1: That mattingly has had those guys available to him whenever he, 570 00:31:44,480 --> 00:31:48,040 Speaker 1: wants and how unusual is. That, well in this major league, 571 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:50,640 Speaker 1: season it makes them the exception to the. Rule they 572 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: are the only team in baseball that has had seven 573 00:31:53,680 --> 00:31:58,320 Speaker 1: pitchers make twelve plus. Appearances and, THAT i, mean aside 574 00:31:58,320 --> 00:32:00,960 Speaker 1: from just having those guys, available that allows you as 575 00:32:00,960 --> 00:32:03,800 Speaker 1: a manager to really get to know, them what makes 576 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:06,960 Speaker 1: them tick and what puts him in the best situations to. 577 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 1: Succeed so The marlins have been the beneficiary of. THAT i, Mean, 578 00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:13,000 Speaker 1: UNFORTUNATELY i don't think you can count on that continuing 579 00:32:13,320 --> 00:32:16,840 Speaker 1: this entire, season just based on the reality of this 580 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,400 Speaker 1: unusual situation coming off a shortened season now trying to 581 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:23,040 Speaker 1: get through a full one sixty two injuries are up 582 00:32:23,080 --> 00:32:25,160 Speaker 1: all across, baseball And i'm not sure there's anything The 583 00:32:25,200 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 1: marlins can do to completely prevent. That on the relief pitching, 584 00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:32,960 Speaker 1: side and the final GUY i wanted to get to 585 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:37,520 Speaker 1: in some depth here Is Jordan, holloway who had the 586 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:40,400 Speaker 1: biggest ROLE i would say In wednesday's. Win he pitched 587 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:43,479 Speaker 1: three scoreless. Endings he built himself all the way up 588 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:46,400 Speaker 1: to sixty one, pitches which was far and away his 589 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:50,720 Speaker 1: highest total of the season With, holloway the story for 590 00:32:50,840 --> 00:32:55,080 Speaker 1: him this year is that he has this reinvented slider 591 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,520 Speaker 1: into his pitch. Mix he's always been a fastball curveball 592 00:32:58,520 --> 00:33:01,320 Speaker 1: guy and had nice dential with both of those, pitches 593 00:33:01,600 --> 00:33:04,960 Speaker 1: but relying more than, ever more than anything, else like 594 00:33:05,000 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 1: the primary weapon for him all of a sudden is 595 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:10,440 Speaker 1: this slider that has helped him get through overall ten 596 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:14,840 Speaker 1: scoreless innings in the major league. Level holloway has not 597 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:16,920 Speaker 1: pitched At DOUBLE. A he has not pitched At TRIPLE. 598 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:19,560 Speaker 1: A i, mean they rushed him to the majors last 599 00:33:19,600 --> 00:33:22,960 Speaker 1: year without the minor league season and he barely got 600 00:33:22,960 --> 00:33:27,600 Speaker 1: to show anything after CONTRACTING covid. Nineteen and now he's 601 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:30,760 Speaker 1: making the most of his opportunity That the initial thought 602 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,880 Speaker 1: was that he would be developing In DOUBLE a this 603 00:33:32,920 --> 00:33:38,640 Speaker 1: season as a starting, pitcher and simply he is refusing 604 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 1: to do. That with his. Performance you cannot send him 605 00:33:40,880 --> 00:33:43,320 Speaker 1: down if he has not allowed a run in the 606 00:33:43,360 --> 00:33:46,880 Speaker 1: big leagues now through five appearances in the big leagues 607 00:33:47,040 --> 00:33:49,160 Speaker 1: and now being able to show in this most recent 608 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,080 Speaker 1: outing that he can go through a lineup more than, 609 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:53,880 Speaker 1: once that he faced some batters multiple times and got 610 00:33:53,880 --> 00:33:57,720 Speaker 1: them out multiple times in this. Appearance you do the, 611 00:33:57,760 --> 00:34:00,920 Speaker 1: math and he pitches again early next. Week let's say 612 00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 1: then he stretched out pretty close to being a starting. 613 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:06,720 Speaker 1: Pitcher if he did sixty one pitches in this most recent, 614 00:34:06,760 --> 00:34:10,440 Speaker 1: game you could easily get seventy seventy five from him 615 00:34:10,440 --> 00:34:12,959 Speaker 1: the next time at if not. Eighty so we'll finish 616 00:34:13,040 --> 00:34:16,200 Speaker 1: it off right there here On, Thursday Eli sussman here 617 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:19,600 Speaker 1: on the official show on The Fish stripes. Podcast please 618 00:34:19,600 --> 00:34:23,040 Speaker 1: subscribe to us wherever you get your pods five star. Reviews. 619 00:34:23,040 --> 00:34:25,920 Speaker 1: Please aside from the official, show be sure to check 620 00:34:25,960 --> 00:34:28,600 Speaker 1: out our small pods that we do every weekday with 621 00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:34,640 Speaker 1: At wardall And Daniel. Rodriguez exciting finish of this homestand 622 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:37,160 Speaker 1: coming up The marlins aiming for their very first series 623 00:34:37,239 --> 00:34:41,040 Speaker 1: sweep of the entire twenty twenty one, season and then after, 624 00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:44,759 Speaker 1: that beginning On, friday a series against the banked Up Milwaukee, 625 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:49,120 Speaker 1: brewers an opportunity to really put together there by, far 626 00:34:49,160 --> 00:34:54,520 Speaker 1: their strongest homestand of the season and potentially thrust themselves 627 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,239 Speaker 1: back near the top of THE Nls. Division we know 628 00:34:57,320 --> 00:35:00,279 Speaker 1: how tightly contested this division has been so, far are 629 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:04,120 Speaker 1: and The, marlins despite some inconsistencies in certain. Areas, thankfully 630 00:35:04,160 --> 00:35:09,320 Speaker 1: the bullpen has been an impressive improvement for them compared 631 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:12,680 Speaker 1: to last, season helping to keep them in the mix 632 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:17,879 Speaker 1: for the return To october BASEBALL a long way away 633 00:35:17,960 --> 00:35:20,160 Speaker 1: will be with you every step of the. Way here 634 00:35:20,200 --> 00:35:39,360 Speaker 1: on fish, Stripes Go fish