Lefthanded pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit didn't pitch in 2026 and will have a fresh start with the Fish next Spring
The Miami Marlins will have to wait a little longer to see second-round pick Ethan Kleinschmit take the mound professionally, but the 21-year-old left-hander gives the organization an intriguing starting-pitching prospect to develop beginning in 2027.
The youngster represents the next generation of Marlins starters, and he's among a cluster of terrific, young left-handed arms. He should be right in that mix, and thanks to his age and experience, he's likely closer to the big leagues than many of those in his draft class.
Selected No. 52 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft, Kleinschmidt signed with Miami for the $1.89 million slot value after a college career that steadily elevated his stock. The 6-foot-3, 206-pound southpaw helped his high school win an Oregon state championship in 2023 before taking the junior-college route, earning All-American honors at Linn-Benton Community College.
He then transitioned seamlessly into Oregon State's rotation in 2025, averaging 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .194 batting average. The portside pitcher is the fifth player from the OSU program to be drafted by Miami since 2024... with the most notable being shortstop Aiva Arquette, who went No. 7 overall in 2025.
Kleinschmit's arsenal isn't built around overpowering velocity, but his combination of movement, deception, and pitchability gives him a solid foundation. His fastball generally sits at 91-93 mph and can reach 95, with good tailing action. His upper-70s slider features depth and rotation, while his low-80s changeup gives him another weapon against hitters. He also added an upper-80s cutter that proved effective at generating chase.
Scouts believe there could be additional velocity ahead as Kleinschmit adds strength. That development could significantly enhance an already promising four-pitch assortment.
"While he won’t overwhelm anyone with pure stuff, he makes up for it with movement and feel for pitching. His fastball typically sits in the 91-93 mph range, topping out at 95 mph, with good tailing life. He’s already added a tick-and-a-half of velocity his junior year," his official MLB.com scouting report states. "He has good rotation and depth with his upper-70s slurvy slider to go along with decent feel and deception with his low-80s changeup. The 6-foot-3 southpaw also added an upper-80s cutter, which he used well to pick up chase."
With a solid set of tools in his arsenal, Kleinschmit currently projects as a pitcher with a strong starting foundation. His 2029 ETA gives Miami time to develop that foundation into something more. However, considering the recent trend in the game, college pitchers can sometimes make it to the bigs in two years or less.
For example, the Seattle Mariners' Kade Anderson (a fellow lefty) was drafted in 2025, and he debuted on August 22, 2026. And much like Kleinschmit, he didn't pitch during the minor league season after being selected, following the same path the Fish have their second-rounder taking currently.
While three years is a safe projection, the Marlins' prospect is more than likely to see some action late in 2028. By that time, fellow southpaws Thomas White and Robbie Snelling should be there, awaiting him. The three combined would be an impressive and unique pitching rotation and one that would cause all kinds of match-up problems for the rest of the National League East.
