While Marlins CEO Derek Jeter tries to mold the Marlins into a perennial contender, the Hall of Famer couldn't help but turn to a familiar name to bring him some good fortune.
Miami has reportedly reached an agreement with undrafted free agent Jared Pettitte, the son of former Major Leaguer Andy Pettitte who spent 15 years and won five World Series championships as Jeter's teammate with the Yankees.
The 23-year-old Pettitte was 1-0 with a 5.81 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings spanning 13 appearances, including four starts, for Dallas Baptist University this spring. A southpaw like his father, the Clear Lake, Texas, native attended the University of Houston in 2019 and 2020 before transferring to DBU.
Pettitte played under former Astros star Lance Berkman during his senior year of high school, leading the Second Baptist School to a state championship in 2016. He was named district MVP after going 12-1 with a 1.20 ERA and 130 strikeouts while also batting .385 with four home runs.
His more famous father broke into the Majors in 1995 and finished second in the AL Cy Young race the following year when the Yankees won their first of four championships in five seasons. A three-time All-Star, Pettitte pitched 18 years in the Majors -- 15 with the Yankees and three with the Astros -- before retiring following the 2013 season as New York's all-time leader in strikeouts with 2,020. He also equaled Hall of Famer Whitey Ford for the most starts in franchise history with 438.
The left-hander finished his career with a 256-153 record and a 3.85 ERA along with 2,448 strikeouts. Pettitte twice won 20 games in a season and 15 or more eight times. He was named the MVP of the 2001 ALCS and went 19-11 with a 3.81 ERA in 30 postseason starts.