As Graham Pauley heads to the minors, Miami’s roster shuffle grants the former top prospect consistent playing time to solidify his role in a shifting Marlins infield.
MIAMI — The Miami Marlins sending third baseman Graham Pauley to Triple-A Jacksonville not only opened up more playing time for Gold Glove utility man Javier Sanoja, but also Leo Jimenez.
Jimenez joined the Marlins in the middle of their season-opening homestand after being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Minor League infielder Dub Gleed and International Pool Money. Jimenez was as high as the Blue Jays’ No. 5 Top Prospect, per MLB Pipeline, entering 2024, the year he made his MLB debut.
In his limited time on the field, Jimenez has largely been a platoon bat against left-handed pitching. The Marlins will face a left-handed starter in Cade Povich (1-1, 4.41 ERA) in Thursday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles for the first time since May 3 vs. Philadelphia southpaw, and former Marlin, Jesus Luzardo.
“We like Leo,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said during Thursday’s pregame press conference, “but the way things stood, there were just guys ahead of him I was gonna give an opportunity to. Now we will have a chance to see Leo with a little bit more regularity.”
Shortstop Otto Lopez will lead off for the Marlins against Povich. Lopez leads the Marlins with a .410 AVG (16-for-39) off left-handed pitchers, posting a 1.005 OPS with four extra-base hits.
Pauley was a key piece in the Tanner Scott trade with the San Diego Padres in 2024 and was expected to be a great defender at the hot corner, as well as a solid bat. He was slashing .173/.225/.293 in 81 plate appearances to start the season.
“Offensively, he just hasn’t performed like either side was hoping,” McCullough said. “We still believe in Graham as a player. The defensive abilities are there.”
The Marlins also called up right-handed pitcher Stephen Jones, who could potentially become the fifth Marlin in as many games to make their Major League debut. The 28-year-old, who was signed by Miami as a Minor League free agent on Jan. 27, told reporters before Thursday’s game that he received a call late last night and “definitely was the biggest surprise” of his career.
“There’s a lot of ups and downs in this game,” Jones said. “Last night was pretty special.”
Like William Kempner and Dax Fulton before him, Jones will likely appear for an inning on Thursday and then be sent back to Triple-A Jacksonville to make room on the roster for the next rookie to make his big league debut.
It was announced on Wednesday that Robby Snelling, the Marlins’ No. 2 prospect, would be starting on Friday in place of Chris Paddack, who was designated for assignment. He arrived at loanDepot park on Thursday to meet the team before the roster move could officially be made.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Snelling said. “I’m still trying to kind of soak it in.”
Max Meyer will take the mound for the Marlins, who are looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Meyer, who is making his first career start against the Orioles, went a career-high seven innings with seven strikeouts in a win over the Phillies in his last time out.
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