When 2018 began, James Marinan joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arizona for spring training. When the 2018 season began for him in June of 2018 it was back in Arizona with the Arizona League Dodgers in his first full year as a professional baseball player after being selected in the 4th round of the draft the previous year.
James Marinan would make three starts for the AZL Dodgers. In the first two starts he tossed a combined 7.0 shutout innings with two walks and seven strikeouts. In his third start, on July 3rd, he allowed one earned – and three unearned – in 3.2 innings with two walks and four strikeouts. A day later the 19-year-old right handed pitcher was traded to Cincinnati along with Aneurys Zabala.
The Cincinnati Reds sent James Marinan to join the Billings Mustangs after he joined the organization. The introduction to the Pioneer League didn’t go well as Marinan didn’t make it out of the 2nd inning, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks and a hit batter. He rebounded well the next time out, shutting Orem out for 4.0 innings on just one hit with six strikeouts. The Owlz, however, got their revenge a week later as they touched up the teenage pitcher for four runs in 1.2 innings where he walked three batters and had just one strikeout. In the final start of July he tossed 4.0 shutout innings with two walks and four strikeouts. The first six weeks of the season were a bit inconsistent, but resulted in a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 innings. He walked 13 batters and struck out 22 in that span without allowing a home run.
August got out to a nice start for James Marinan. In his first two starts he allowed one run over 11.1 combined innings. Control was a bit of an issue, though, as he walked four batters and hit another one with just five strikeouts in the span. He walked the tightrope the next time out, tossing 2.2 shutout innings – but allowing four hits and walking three batters. In his next two starts he found his control, allowing just two runs in 9.0 combined innings with just one walk and he struck out nine batters. That wrapped up August. On September 1st he ran into problems against Great falls, who scored six earned runs on six hits and a hit batter in 4.1 innings where he struck out six. He faced off against Great Falls to end his season five days later and he got the better end of things this time around. In 4.2 innings he allowed just two runs with two walks and six more strikeouts. In the final five weeks of the season he posted a 3.09 ERA in 32.0 innings with 10 walks and 28 strikeouts. He allowed just one home run along the way.
For all 2018 Season Reviews and Scouting Reports – click here (these will come out during the week throughout the offseason).
James Marinan Scouting Report
Fastball | When coming out of high school one of the things working against James Marinan was that he couldn’t hold his velocity beyond the first inning. That wasn’t the case in 2018 when he generally sat in the 92-95 MPH range and touched higher. And the pitch also showed good sinking action. It’s an above-average offering.
Slider | An inconsistent pitch that works in the upper 70’s that has shorter breaking action to it. At it’s best it can flash above-average.
Change Up | Another inconsistent pitch in his arsenal. But, it’s one that shows the makings of at least an average offering in the future.
James Marinan has the prototypical pitchers frame scouts want to see. He’s 6′ 5″ and 220 lbs – the frame that an innings-eating workhorse would have. The right-handed pitcher also shows three offerings that could be at least average in the future, giving him a chance to be a big league starting pitcher. The pieces are there.
What isn’t there yet, is the consistency. James Marinan still struggles at times with his mechanics, which leads to struggles with his control. In 2018 he either walked or hit 12.3% of the batters he faced. That should improve as he gets more comfortable. He’s worked on his mechanics since being drafted to help improve things, and he’s made strides in doing just that.
He’s a long way from reaching the Major Leagues. However, all of the pieces are in place for James Marinan to be an above-average starter in the big leagues if he develops to his full potential. The control must improve. And his secondary offerings need to be more consistent. But he has plenty of time, having just turned 20 this offseason.
Interesting Stat on James Marinan
His batting average on balls in play was .369 on the season. Lefties posted a .414 BABIP against him in 77 plate appearances. Righties posted a .343 mark against him.