The Miami Marlins just made some critical roster decisions, and they're bound to spark debate among fans. Did they make the right call to protect some prospects while letting go of others? Let's dive in.
The Marlins have strategically added three players – catcher Joe Mack, and right-handed pitchers Will Kempner and Josh White – to their coveted 40-man roster. This move is all about safeguarding them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, a process where other teams can poach unprotected prospects. Think of it like this: the Marlins are putting a protective shield around these young talents to ensure they stay within the organization. But here's where it gets controversial... to make room for these additions, Miami designated outfielder Joey Wiemer for assignment. This means Wiemer's future with the Marlins is now uncertain, and he could be claimed by another team. The Marlins had two open spots on the 40-man roster prior to this move, so they only needed to designate one player to make room for the three additions.
Joe Mack was almost a no-brainer for protection. Drafted as a supplemental first-round pick straight out of high school back in 2021, Mack has blossomed into one of the most promising all-around catching prospects in the entire major league system. He's a left-handed hitter who's shown impressive power, slugging 21 home runs along with a .257/.338/.475 slash line across 468 plate appearances in the upper echelons of the minor leagues. That slash line represents his batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, respectively – key indicators of a hitter's overall offensive performance.
And this is the part most people miss: Mack isn't just a slugger; he's also considered a superior defensive catcher compared to other catching prospects like Liam Hicks and Agustin Ramirez within the Marlins organization. The general consensus is that Mack possesses the highest potential to become Miami's long-term solution behind the plate. In fact, it’s not completely unrealistic to imagine him breaking camp with the big league team next spring, and he's almost guaranteed to make his major league debut at some point during the upcoming season. This speaks volumes about the organization's faith in his abilities and his readiness for the next level.
Will Kempner, a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher, joined the Marlins organization last offseason in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in exchange for international bonus pool money. The Marlins clearly saw something they liked in him. Drafted out of Gonzaga in the third round of the 2022 draft, Kempner profiles as a pure reliever. In his first season within the Miami system, he posted an impressive 2.26 ERA across 67 2/3 innings pitched, moving through three different minor league levels. Kempner demonstrated his strikeout ability by fanning over a third of the batters he faced. However, he also struggled with his control at times, walking upwards of 14% of opposing hitters. Kempner's fastball typically sits around 95 MPH, making him a potential candidate to be shuttled between the majors and minors next season, providing valuable bullpen depth.
Josh White, also 24, is another right-handed pitching prospect who could find himself in a similar role. He showcased impressive strikeout stuff, racking up a monster 40.8% strikeout rate across 67 2/3 innings pitched between the top two minor league levels. A former fifth-round draft pick, White's fastball generally clocks in at 93-94 MPH, and he relies heavily on a plus mid-80s slider as his primary secondary pitch. His slider's effectiveness is a key component of his success.
On the flip side, Miami had to make a difficult decision regarding Joey Wiemer. The Marlins claimed Wiemer, a former top prospect, off waivers from the Kansas City Royals back in August. He appeared in 27 games for Miami down the stretch, hitting .236 with three home runs. However, he also struggled with strikeouts, fanning 23 times in 61 plate appearances. Wiemer possesses impressive physical tools, but his career has been plagued by an excessive strikeout rate. His career slash line in the majors is .205/.279/.359 in just under 500 plate appearances, reflecting his offensive struggles. Miami could potentially non-tender him on Friday, which would make him a free agent. However, they could also attempt to re-sign him to a minor league contract, giving him another opportunity to prove himself within the organization. This is a high-risk, high-reward situation for both Wiemer and the Marlins.
So, what do you think of these roster moves? Did the Marlins make the right decisions in protecting Mack, Kempner, and White? Was designating Wiemer for assignment the correct call, or should they have given him more time to develop? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
