I wrote about this last August, but it’s worth reiterating and updating. Variety is fun in terms of styles and statistics, and nobody embodies that quite like Miami Marlins right-hander Valente Bellozo. Going by run prevention and volume of work, Bellozo has been practically a carbon copy of Ryan Weathers over the last two seasons. He has unquestionably helped the Marlins win games, or at least keep games competitive. And yet, the Marlins continue to keep him on a short leash and limit his major league opportunities altogether.
I understand both sides. No MLB starting pitcher since 2024 (min. 80 IP) has been luckier than Bellozo in terms of their ERA-to-FIP differential. He does not have anything in his toolbox for inducing ground balls. This one floored me: Bellozo ranks dead last among starters in first-pitch strike rate (54.2%).
On the other hand, Bellozo made tangible improvements entering this season that were on full display during Wednesday’s scoreless outing. His average four-seam fastball velocity (92.1 mph) was a full tick higher than any previous MLB start of his career. His new kick-change is getting a 62.5 whiff% in 2025. The contact against him has been much softer than last year (96th percentile hard-hit rate allowed).
All things considered, it is hard to believe Bellozo is being deprived of a steady role on a Marlins pitching staff that has allowed the most runs in the majors.
Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville lost, 6-5. Derek Hill began his rehab assignment with an 0-for-4 day as the Jumbo Shrimp designated hitter. Maximo Acosta has just one extra-base hit over his last 15 games. High-A Beloit lost, 6-5. Very discouraging outing for Noble Meyer (2.1 IP, 2 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 4 HBP, 69 pitches/32 strikes), whose fastball velocity uncharacteristically dipped below 90 mph in his final inning of work. Low-A Jupiter lost, 9-8. Starlyn Caba (left thumb sprain) was transferred to the 60-day IL. He won’t be eligible for reinstatement until June 21 at the earliest. FCL Marlins won, 6-5. Grant Shepardson retired nine of the 10 batters he faced in his pro debut (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K).
More Marlins news and content below:Â
🔷 Fish On First spoke with Kyle Stowers about being named NL Player of the Week.
🔷 On this day in 2000, the Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves when John Rocker balked in the winning run.
🔷 Shortly after being selected by the Marlins in the 2022 Rule 5 Draft, Nic Enright was diagnosed with cancer. Great read from Zack Meisel of The Athletic about how Enright persevered with his baseball career while undergoing treatment. The right-handed reliever is once again on the cusp of reaching the big leagues, occupying a spot on the Cleveland Guardians 40-man roster and having posted an 0.82 ERA at Triple-A since 2024.
🔷 The Prediction Time leaderboard has been updated through the first 12 series. The Dodgers series was picked perfectly by @Sean Millerick and @rurrusuno (among others). Become a SuperSub and we’ll keep track of your predictions all season long!
🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Dylan Cease and Hunter Greene exited their starts early due to forearm and groin injuries, respectively. Max Fried allowed one earned run in his seven-inning start, which actually raised his American League-leading ERA to 1.05.
🔷 We are doing an off-day edition of Fish On First LIVE to talk all things Marlins and preview the Chicago White Sox series beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET. FOF LIVE is presented by About The Fans. Check out our new merchandise collection (coupon code fof10 for 10% off).
🔷 Today’s MiLB schedule:
Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Syracuse, 7:05 p.m. ET
Double-A Pensacola at Biloxi, 6:35 p.m. ET (doubleheader)
High-A Beloit vs. Cedar Rapids, 7:05 p.m. ET
Low-A Jupiter at Palm Beach, 6:30 p.m. ET
FCL Marlins vs. FCL Cardinals, 12:00 p.m. ET
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