The Marlins have made a move that could spark some debate among baseball fans. A left-handed pitcher's journey is about to take an unexpected turn, and it's a story worth exploring.
The team has designated Josh Simpson for assignment, creating a roster spot for another southpaw, John King, who has officially signed a one-year deal. Simpson's MLB debut last June was a memorable one, but not for the right reasons. Despite pitching in 31 games, his ERA soared to 7.34 across 30 2/3 innings. However, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
Simpson, a 6'2" left-hander, had some impressive stats, including a solid strikeout rate of 23.8% and a decent ground-ball rate of 54%. But here's where it gets controversial: his control was a major concern. Simpson walked nearly 15% of the batters he faced, and his home run rate was alarmingly high at almost 1.5 per nine innings. Poor batted ball luck didn't make things any easier for him.
And this is the part most people miss: Simpson's control issues have been a persistent problem throughout his career. In the minor leagues, he walked 11.6% of his opponents. Despite these challenges, Simpson's journey is an inspiring one. He was signed for just $25K as a 32nd-round pick in 2019 and never considered a marquee prospect. Yet, he worked his way through Double-A and earned a spot on the 40-man roster to avoid the Rule 5 draft in 2022.
After a brief call-up in September, Simpson faced a setback with a nerve injury in his forearm, which kept him out for most of the '24 season. The Marlins released him from the 40-man roster at the end of that season. But Simpson fought back, pitching well enough in Triple-A last year to earn another chance. He posted a respectable 3.41 ERA in 34 1/3 innings at Triple-A Jacksonville.
Now, the Marlins will likely place Simpson back on waivers within the next five days. If he goes unclaimed, Simpson has the option to decline an outright assignment and become a free agent. So, what do you think? Is Simpson's story one of perseverance or a cautionary tale about control issues? The baseball community is divided, and we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Don't be shy - let's discuss!
