The Miami Marlins announced on Friday that they have released longtime minor league catcher Bennett Hostetler, who spent several years in Minor League Baseball.

Hostetler, 29, was originally a longshot draft pick, being taken in the 18th round (539th overall) by the Fish back in 2019 following a collegiate career at North Dakota State. During his time there, the backstop batted .286 and bashed 21 home runs with 139 RBI. In his five years as a Bison, his slugging percentage settled in at .425; he drew 108 walks and scored 157 runs.

Drafted largely due to a senior season where he broke through to finish with a .394 average, he made it as far as Triple-A with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, but never quite made it to The Show. Still, he remained a solid contributor to the organization and approached his job as if it were a privilege... starting when he was originally drafted by Miami.

“So many kids when they’re younger say they want to play professional baseball. Now I’m one of the actual few that is going to," Hostetler told Montana Sports after the draft. "Just being able to prove that I could play Division I baseball, prove to myself that I could play, and prove to everybody else that was like, He's from Montana; Montana baseball is not that great. Just for me, personally, it's really rewarding”

Unfortunately, his long road to the big leagues that ultimately fell one step short—especially given that he hit eight home runs with a 1.001 OPS in just 21 games for Jacksonville in 2026.

One of the highlights of his tenure with the team came with the Shrimp, an August 23, 2026, game where he hit two home runs against Memphis.

Speaking of Jacksonville, their season might end up being as interesting as the big club's in 2026. All eyes will be on several Marlins prospects who will be on the cusp of the MLB roster to see who's ready for prime time and who's still rough around the edges.

One of the names worth watching will be Brandon Compton. The outfielder and first baseman advanced through three levels last season to land in Jacksonville late in the year. He should make his big-league debut in 2027.

Compton hit 36 home runs with 103 RBIs across the organization in 2026, including a spectacular stretch at Double-A Pensacola. He advanced to Jacksonville late in the season. Miami would like him to don a first-base mitt if he wants to get on a faster track to the Majors.

Provided he doesn't break camp with the Marlins after Spring Training, outfielder Cam Canarella already looks like a big-league ballplayer. The 23-year-old was the organization's Minor League Player of the Year last season, and he will almost certainly see time with the Fish in '27.

Finally, top prospect Thomas White, who will likely start the year in Triple-A following a season-ending injury this year. But once the southpaw proves that he's healthy and fine tunes his command, he should be on the mound at loanDepot Park sooner rather than later as well.

All three are just part of what make the future for Miami seems so bright. Their natural progression from here may start as a Shrimp, but will surely end in the entire trio becoming full-fledged Fish.