Drew Steckenrider

An inflamed right elbow caused Steckenrider to miss most of 2019 after he made 71 appearances the year before, and he struggled to a 6.28 ERA. The 29-year-old may not have ever been right during the regular season; he started off poorly in spring training and was on the IL by May 8. It's impossible to overlook the fact that the injury came after Steckenrider ramped up his slider usage to a significant degree. In 108 major-league appearances spanning the two seasons prior to 2019, Steckenrider recorded a 3.35 ERA with a 128:45 K:BB over 99.1 innings. The Marlins' bullpen is in flux, so the right-hander could theoretically see some save opportunities in 2020, but he will have to prove his health and earn back manager Don Mattingly's trust first. He had his throwing elbow scoped in August and hopes to be ready for spring training.

He lost some of his strikeout punch from 2017, but Steckenrider still stood out in the Marlins' bullpen, leaping to the top of the hierarchy by the end of the season. Though the club has other closing candidates for 2019, the righty made a case for keeping the job, converting four saves after Kyle Barraclough was removed as lead stopper in August. Steckenrider improved his walk rate by nearly one free pass per nine, which is a mark in his favor over Tayron Guerrero. Steckenrider must find a way to consistently retire lefty batters (.340 wOBA, 1.89 K/BB against them last year) if he's to solidify his spot in the ninth inning. This bullpen could play out much like it did in 2018, remaining in flux for a large portion of the season as trades and performance dictate changes. Paying for a full season of saves from Steckenrider is ill advised.

Kyle Barraclough is the more familiar name to baseball fans, but Steckenrider may be the best arm in the Marlins' bullpen. Like Barraclough, Steckenrider struggled with walks last season (4.7 BB/9), but he missed bats at a far greater clip (35.8 percent strikeout rate) while working mostly fastball-slider. Further, a very good 68.2 percent first-pitch strike rate and a track record of better control at the upper levels of the minors portend improvement with Steckenrider's walk rate in future seasons. Steckenrider trimmed his ERA in each of the final four months of the 2017 campaign, down to 1.50 in September, as his K/9 rate steadily ticked up over that span (to 16.5). Most of the Marlins' veteran bullpen arms are expected to be traded this offseason, leaving Steckenrider in prime position to take on a higher-leverage role. He could even take on the ninth if he outperforms Barraclough in spring training.