The Miami Marlins announced 31 non‑roster invitees to 2026 spring training, headlined by right‑now headliner Thomas White and a wave of young pitching that could shorten the road to Miami. The list blends high-upside prospects, recent trade acquisitions, and organizational award winners, giving fans a clear look at the next wave of talent chasing big‑league jobs.
The club’s official release noted the full breakdown: “Of the 31 non‑roster invitees, 15 are pitchers: left‑handers Justin King, Patrick Monteverde, Snelling, Dale Stanavich, and White; and right‑handers Zach Brzykcy, Nigel Belgrave, Josh Ekness, Stephen Jones, Evan McKendry, Karson Milbrandt, Jack Ralston, Jesús Tinoco, Samuel Vasquez, and Tyler Zuber.” The release added, “There are also 16 position players included in the group; catchers Bennett Hostetler, Ryan Ignoffo, Brian Navarreto, and Sam Praytor; infielders Jesús Bastidas, Jacob Berry, Dylan Jasso, Nathan Martorella, Johnny Olmstead; and outfielders Alderman, Matthew Etzel, Daniel Johnson, Brendan Jones, Dillon Lewis, Andrew Pintar, and Fenwick Trimble.”
Thomas White carries the highest profile. MLB Pipeline lists White as the Marlins’ top prospect and No. 17 overall. His 2025 combined minor‑league line across High‑A, Double‑A and Triple‑A read 21 starts, 89.2 innings pitched, a 2.31 ERA, 1.182 WHIP and a 14.6 K/9, with 145 strikeouts reported by Yardbarker. Yardbarker’s scouting notes emphasize a 94‑95 mph fastball that can touch 97‑98, a mid‑to‑high‑80s changeup, plus slider and sweeper — a repertoire that has produced swing‑and‑miss results as he finished the year at Triple‑A Jacksonville.
Lefty Robby Snelling, Miami’s No. 4 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 39 overall, also headlines the invitees. Snelling was Miami’s 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after splitting time between Double‑A and Triple‑A. Sports Illustrated reported Double‑A splits of 14 starts with a 3.61 ERA, 1.217 WHIP and 10.6 K/9, and Triple‑A numbers of 11 starts, 63.2 innings, a 1.27 ERA, 0.990 WHIP and 11.5 K/9. SI wrote that both White and Snelling are expected to reach the MLB roster in the 2026 campaign, an expectation that raises the stakes for Grapefruit League work.
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Kemp Alderman, the organization’s 2025 Minor League Player of the Year and listed as Miami’s No. 11 prospect, provides power in the invitee group after hitting 22 home runs between Double‑A and Triple‑A last season. The Marlins also brought in players from recent trades: outfielders Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones, acquired from the New York Yankees on January 13, 2026, will get their first spring with Miami.
Fan boards have already begun weighing the roster implications. A FishOnFirst thread circulated the NRI list and user Jose Herrera wrote, “I would like Berry, Johnson, McKendry, Pintar, Ralston and Snelling to all be able to have a chance,” reflecting the grassroots debate over who could crack Opening Day. Other commenters discussed Jesús Tinoco’s availability and injury status, underscoring how spring training chatter mixes roster hope with health questions.
For Marlins fans and Triple‑A followers, this group matters because it shows where the organization believes the next contributors live: premium strikeout pitchers, internal power, and a few trade chips with upside. The next step is spring training performance — how Thomas White and Robby Snelling handle big‑league hitters in Grapefruit League innings will shape roster decisions and bullpen construction heading into the regular season.