MIAMI – Don’t put away those cowboy boots.
In a busy week for Marlins prospects, left-hander Robby Snellingwill become the fifth farmhand to receive his Major League callup when he starts Friday night’s game against the Nationals at loanDepot park, manager Clayton McCullough announced on Wednesday afternoon, prior to the Marlins' 7-4 loss to the Orioles.
Miami chose Snelling, its No. 2 prospect (No. 32 overall), to take over Chris Paddack’s vacated rotation spot over more experienced candidates Braxton Garrett, Bradley Blalock and Ryan Gusto.
"Robby just pitched that way," McCullough said. "He's been on a roll [since] the end of last year, really pitched well this spring again. We saw the stuff was there, and he threw the ball well in spring, and he's done nothing but enhance that with how he's gone out and thrown the ball and performed to this point in Jacksonville. It's lined up well, and it's more than it lining up on the calendar. Robby has earned this chance now that it's open to come up and take that spot."
COMPLETE MARLINS PROSPECT COVERAGE
The 22-year-old Snelling, whose turn in the Triple-A Jacksonville rotation was this Friday, forced the organization’s hand by posting a 1.86 ERA (second lowest in the International League), a 0.90 WHIP (third lowest) and 44 strikeouts (tied for the second most) in six starts this season. He recently earned International League Pitcher of the Week honors for tossing five no-hit frames his last time out.
This speedy trajectory to The Show once may not have seemed possible for Snelling, whom the Marlins acquired from the Padres in July 2024, when he was in desperate need of getting his career back on track.
At the time of the blockbuster trade, Snelling’s velocity was down and his ERA had jumped to 6.01. The tweaks he had been working on began showing in a new environment, with a combined 3.64 ERA in his first eight starts in the Marlins' system – the last of which came at the Triple-A level.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder carried that momentum into 2025 by leading the organization in starts (25), ERA (2.51, fifth in the Minors) and strikeouts (166, fourth) between Double-A and Triple-A. He was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week during his time with the Blue Wahoos, and August’s International League Pitcher of the Month with the Jumbo Shrimp.
"Snelling has a really interesting background," director of player development Rachel Balkovec told MLB.com in March. "He's just a really mature guy, and all we need to see from him is consistency."
This spring during his second big league camp with the Marlins, Snelling made such a strong impression that he was one of the final cuts. He wasn’t shy about aiming for the Opening Day rotation, even as a long shot non-roster invitee. The Marlins named Snelling as their starter for the Grapefruit League opener, and all he did was retire a trio of All-Stars – Marcus Semien, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette – in order.
Nearly three months later, the outdoorsman from Reno, Nevada, will call South Florida home and bring his football mentality to the mound. Before choosing a professional baseball career, Snelling was a highly coveted football recruit.
When Snelling joins the Marlins, he will reunite with assistant pitching coach Rob Marcello, who was the Padres’ director of pitching before Snelling got dealt. He then served as Snelling’s pitching coach at Triple-A Jacksonville last season, when the Jumbo Shrimp captured International League and Triple-A national championships. Third baseman Graham Pauley was also part of the return for Tanner Scott and Bryan Hoeing.
It has been a busy week for Marlins transactions. Right-handed relievers Josh Ekness (Marlins' No. 30 prospect) and William Kempner, catcher Joe Mack (Marlins' No. 4, No. 52 overall) and lefty Dax Fulton have been called up by the organization. Fulton relieved
"Coming into it, we were certainly very high on Robby," McCullough said. "He commands well. He's been a strike thrower. Left side, the type of velocity and the quality of his fastball, he's got a very good curveball. We think he's got other weapons, too. They're going to be very important for him to be able to navigate and get through lineups two or three times up here with other breaking balls and the changeup. It's exciting, because Robby's a great competitor. I think he's worked really hard, and he's performed in a manner that he's very deserving of this opportunity."