Miami Palms Blog

 Miami has a history of revitalizing the career of catchers, especially behind the plate. Now in his second year with the Palms, Wellington Castillo surely hopes that tradition continues. In 2019, Castillo served as Yasmani Grandal's back up, but the veteran looks to take a greater role this season after Grandal left for the White Sox this offseason. Castillo lost some of the numbers that made him an offensive weapon with the Cubs, but Miami hopes his rapport with the pitching staff will be as much a benefit as any bounceback on offense in 2020. 

 The Palms will be relying on a very similar rotation as the one they put forth in 2019. Dylan Bundy will be entering his third season with the Palms, looking to fulfill some of the promise that came with him from Baltimore. He does have the highest strike out rate among starters, but he also gave up an inordinate amount of home runs. He will be an inning eater and a veteran presence, but Miami will be looking for more reliable production in 2020.

As part of Miami attempting to update their organizational philosophy, the Palms are adapting to modern statistics, and leveraging their best pitchers in higher impact spots. Never having before believed in "set up" pitchers, the Palms are going to deploy a handful of arms specifically in late inning situations, outside of closer Chris Martin. Cody Allen has experience being used in the back end of a bullpen, and is coming off one of his best seasons in Miami. He kept the ball in the yard, while maintaining his particularly efficient brand of pitching. He was a bit unlucky to have an ERA in the mid 3.00s, as his FIP was down around a run, but he does allow quite a few balls in play, and his ERA will always ride higher than his FIP. Still, lower workloads and specific usage may sharpen him as the 2020 season rolls around. 

 Travis Jankowski saw his former spot in the Miami outfield go to former Yankee Brett Gardner, so he too will move to another AL East team. Jankowski was added to the Orioles roster today, signing with the team to be part of their outfield mix after a solid year, in which he posted career highs in home runs and OPS. He spent 3 years wearing the Palms uniform. 

 After Yasmani Grandal ensured his stint with the Palms was only a one year venture, the Miami Palms hit the free agent market, bringing in long time Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. Wieters has, of late, been backing up Yadier Molina in St. Louis, and projects to split time with Wellington Castillo in Miami.