The Marlins announced their latest round of camp cuts this morning, and the most notable part of that group is the selection decisions. Joe Mack and the right hand Ryan Gusto in the minor leagues.
Mack, 23, is a consensus prospect for 100 and is the first honoree from Miami’s 2021 draft class. After scorching Double-A through 13 games to open the year last season, Mack was promoted to Triple-A and hit a solid .250/.320/.459 with 18 homers, 18 doubles, and 2 triples in 100 games at the level. That was good for a 107 wRC+ at the level, which is still not quite the norm but impressive considering his age and position. A 27.9% strikeout rate in Triple-A last year raised concerns from scouts about Mack’s contact skills, but the overall package is undeniably impressive.
Those questions are perhaps why it was reported last month that, while Mack would have a chance to fight for the MLB roster, the team’s preference was for him to start the season in Triple-A and participate in the team’s merger. Liam Hicks again Agustin Ramirez. Hicks was a 2024 Rule 5 draft pick who enjoyed a strong rookie season for the Marlins last year. He turned in a 98 wRC+ in 119 games behind the plate, though the defensive metrics left him worth just 1.0 fWAR and 1.3 bWAR. Ramirez was also a rookie last year, and was the team’s prize Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade with the Yankees at the 2024 trade deadline. Ramirez hit 21 homers in 136 games but started at a .287 clip, leaving him with a 91 wRC+. He split time between catcher, first base, and DH in his first year as a major without showing solid defense at any of those positions.
There is no doubt that Mack will be the long-term answer for the Marlins behind the plate as long as he hits at a clip that is close to league average. He is a highly regarded outfielder behind the plate who is praised for his strong arm and distance and is the best outfielder among the team’s three young catchers according to scouts. That being said, Mack is still young enough with enough questions about his hitting that it’s understandable that the Marlins would want to give him more time to develop in the minor leagues. That’s even more true after a difficult spring at the plate, where he went 3-for-24 with seven strikeouts. There’s no doubt Mack will make his MLB debut sometime this year as long as he stays healthy, but in the meantime Christina De Nicola of MLB.com writes that the Marlins are encouraging him to work on his approach at the plate and spend more time getting used to the ABS strike position while he waits for that opportunity in Triple-A.
As for Gusto, the right hand was an important part of the recovery Jesus Sanchez at the trade deadline last year. Gusto made his big league debut with the Astros just last year and was a solid pitching man for Houston, posting a 4.92 ERA with a 4.16 FIP in 86 innings split between 10 starts and 14 relief appearances. However, after facing the Marlins, Gusto struggled. He made three starts for Miami and allowed 17 runs on 19 hits (including four home runs) and walked (8) nearly as many batters as he struck out (10), finishing with a 9.77 ERA in 15 2/3 innings of work. He struggled badly in Triple-A, and while he’s looked a little better this spring he’s still pressed into the Marlins’ crowded rotation and serves the Marlins better as extended depth than transitioning into a short relief role in the bullpen.
