How Marlins may manage innings counts
MIAMI -- Starting-pitching depth is a strength of the Marlins, and in all likelihood, the organization will lean heavily on it in 2021. A hot topic in team meetings is how to manage the increases in innings in anticipation of a 162-game schedule. And even if a full schedule isn’t
MIAMI -- Starting-pitching depth is a strength of the Marlins, and in all likelihood, the organization will lean heavily on it in 2021.
A hot topic in team meetings is how to manage the increases in innings in anticipation of a 162-game schedule. And even if a full schedule isn’t played due to the pandemic, in all likelihood the ‘21 season still is expected to greatly exceed the 60-game slate employed this past season.
The challenge this presents to the Marlins is how to map out innings plans for each starter.
“It’s definitely a concern -- not only of mine, but for our whole organization -- as we talk about our young staff,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We’ve walked through some scenarios. Our analytics and our pitching guys, we’re talking about what we think is a doable number of innings.”
• Mattingly on the 2021 offseason so far
For many of Miami’s young starters, this means a preset cap on innings.
“We think there will be some restrictions on a lot of our guys, the number of innings,” Mattingly said. “How do we manage that? That’s all part of the discussions that are on-going, walking into a season. It’s definitely a concern.”
The Marlins used 13 different starters in 60 games in 2020, but the team also made the playoffs, advancing to the National League Division Series.
It also could mean that the Marlins are reluctant to trade from their starting depth, because they may need as much depth as possible. Another possibility is going with a sixth starter, at least on occasion.
Rookie lefties
The Marlins have prospect depth in the wings.
“You always worry about injury,” Mattingly said. “Bumping [pitchers] from a low amount of innings to 190 or 200 is a big jump, especially for young guys who have never been through it. It’s definitely a concern of ours.”
Joe Frisaro has covered the Marlins for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro and listen to his podcast.