JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp catcher Joe Mack made his major league debut on Monday for the Miami Marlins in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at loadDepot park. He follows right-handed pitcher Josh Ekness as the second Jacksonville alumnus in as many days to debut in the big leagues.
Mack went 0-for-3 as Miami’s catcher in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia.
Ranked by MLB.com as the No. 54 prospect in baseball, Mack was originally selected by the Marlins with the 31st overall pick in 2021 out of Williamsville East High School (East Amherst, N.Y.), Mack first reached Jacksonville last season and was a key member of the Jumbo Shrimp’s 2025 Triple-A National Championship team. In 100 games with Jacksonville, he batted .250/.320/.459/.779 with 18 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 58 runs scored.
The Williamsville, N.Y., native returned to the Jumbo Shrimp to start the 2026 campaign. In 24 games prior to his promotion, Mack hit .244/.388/.378/.766 with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Mack had a breakout 2024 season on both sides of the ball while playing for both High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola. He was one of nine recipients across Minor League Baseball of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his defensive excellence as a catcher. At the plate, Mack slashed .252/.338/.468/.807 with 30 doubles, 24 home runs, 78 RBIs and 70 runs scored in 125 games.
Mack is the fourth Jacksonville alumnus to debut in the major leagues during the 2026 season, following infielder Deyvison De Los Santos (March 29, Marlins) and right-handers Matt Pushard (March 29, St. Louis Cardinals) and Ekness (May 3, Marlins). A total of 1,060 players have played both for Jacksonville and in the major leagues. The history of Minor League Baseball in Jacksonville dates back to 1904.
ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League. The 2025 International League and Triple-A National Champions, the Jumbo Shrimp call VyStar Ballpark home for baseball but also a wide variety of additional community focused events with a goal of providing Affordable, Family, FUN to Northeast Florida. Winners of many marketing and sales awards and recognition since the team was rebranded prior to the 2017 season, the Jumbo Shrimp continually lead the state of Florida in attendance across all minor league professional sports organizations.