Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Brian Flynn will be battling for a spot in the Miami Marlins‘ pitching rotation this year, as his audition for the last spot began last season when he was called up. Flynn started in four games for the Marlins but went 0-2 with an 8.50 ERA with 15 strikeouts. His record does not prove that he belongs yet, but his time in the minors definitely does and that is why he is high on the organization’s prospect list.
Flynn will be 24 years old in April and his low ERA in the minor leagues speaks for itself. He pitched in Triple-A New Orleans for most of the year after he had four starts at Double-A Jacksonville to start the year. With the Zephyrs, Flynn won just six if his 23 starts but managed to post a 2.80 ERA with 122 strikeouts and 8.0 K/9. He is clearly capable of pitching in the minors and although he may not make it right now in the majors, he is in the a transition which he has to start thinking like a major leaguer.
There are a few other pitchers who will be gunning for the same spot, but Flynn may end up as a reliever to start the season. There’s nothing left for him to prove in the minors and Miami may just want to get his feet a little wetter before he becomes the No. 5 starter officially.
His spring is going to be something the Marlins need to watch, because how he performs is going to be a major factor in where he starts the season.
Ryan Gaydos is a MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
