Blue Wahoos To Make Up Half Of Miami Marlins Spring Training Roster
When the Miami Marlins assemble for the official start of spring training in two weeks, exactly half of the 64 players in camp will be former Blue Wahoos players. The Marlins on Monday released their non-roster invitees, which include 16 former Blue Wahoos, led by last season’s top player, catcher
When the Miami Marlins assemble for the official start of spring training in two weeks, exactly half of the 64 players in camp will be former Blue Wahoos players.
The Marlins on Monday released their non-roster invitees, which include 16 former Blue Wahoos, led by last season’s top player, catcher Joe Mack. They are among 24 non-roster players not part of the 40-man roster.
The Marlins’ 40-man roster also includes 16 former Blue Wahoos, led by pitchers Eury Perez and Max Meyer, along with Blue Wahoos’ slugging record-holder Griffin Conine – one of three former Blue Wahoos competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Perez is still recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery and is expected to be available in July. Meyer, who came back from major surgery last season, will be one of eight starting pitchers competing for a spot on the starting rotation.
Joining him in competition will be former Blue Wahoos Edward Cabrera, Valente Bellozo and Dax Fulton.
The Marlins will begin spring training on Feb. 12 when pitchers and catchers report. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 17. The first Grapefruit League game for the Marlins is Feb. 22 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
A preview of spring training will be offered Feb. 8 when the Marlins host their annual FanFest at loanDepot Park.
Four lucky fans from Pensacola can win an all-expenses paid trip to this event in Miami, complete with round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and spending money. A group of four fans can submit a video entry, no longer than 60 minutes, showcasing why they win the contest.
Entries close on Jan. 31. The experience will give fans the opportunity to share their photos and videos from the trip with the Blue Wahoos. The Marlins’ FanFest includes a wide variety of activities inside and outside the retractable roof ballpark.
The Marlins’ loanDepot Park is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Miami’s waterfront downtown and less than 20 minutes from South Beach.
For many of the former Blue Wahoos among non-roster invitees, this will be an important time. First baseman Troy Johnston, for example, is coming off a 2024 season where he batted .276 for Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp then played solidly in the Dominican Winter League.
Third baseman Jacob Berry, the Marlins’ No. 1 draft pick in 2022, showed some progression last season with the Blue Wahoos and Jumbo Shrimp.
Pitchers Patrick Monteverde, Josh Simpson and Mathew Pushard face challenges for their futures. Players who excel have a chance to open up a possibility of landing with another club if the Marlins choose to make trade deals.
There will be a lot of focus on youthful catcher Joe Mack, only 22 and considered a rising prospect in the organization. He’ll be among seven catchers that include former Blue Wahoos catcher Nick Fortes, who shared time in the Marlins’ lineup last season.
The former Blue Wahoos outfielders on the 40-man roster include Conine, Dane Myers and Victor Mesa Jr, all of whom have a chance to make the Opening Day roster.
Here are the former Blue Wahoos on the 40-man roster and the non-roster invitees
MARLINS’ 40-MAN
PITCHERS – Luabert Arias, Valente Bellozo, Anthony Bender, Edward Cabrera, Dax Fulton, Max Meyer, Andrew Nardi, Eury Perez, George Soriano.
CATCHERS – Nick Fortes
INFIELDERS – Jared Serna, Graham Pauley, Javier Sanoja
OUTFIELDERS – Victor Mesa Jr., Griffin Conine, Dane Myers.
MARLINS’ NON-ROSTER INVITEES
PITCHERS – Josh Ekness, Woo-Suk Go, Matthew Pushard, Austin Roberts, Justin King, Patrick Monteverde, Josh Simpson, Robby Snelling, Dale Stanovich.
CATCHERS – Bennett Hostetler, Joe Mack
INFIELDERS – Jacob Berry, Nathan Martorellla
OUTFIELDERS – Troy Johnston, Jackob Marsee, Andrew Pintar.