A former Alabama high school star is making a comeback with the Miami Marlins, and his story is one of resilience and determination. Braxton Garrett, a former standout at Florence High School, is back on the mound after facing multiple setbacks in his professional career.
Garrett, a left-handed pitcher, is no stranger to surgeries. For the second time, he's recovering from an operation on his pitching elbow, a challenging journey that has kept him out of the big leagues since June 2024. Despite this, Garrett remains optimistic, stating, "I'm feeling really good." He misses the adrenaline rush and the pre-game jitters, and he's eager to get back into the swing of things.
His career so far has been a rollercoaster. Garrett earned a regular starter spot with the Marlins in June 2022, making 17 consecutive starts after just nine big-league starts in the previous two seasons. He had an impressive run in 2023, making 30 regular-season starts and one postseason start, and he was off to a good start in 2024 before his elbow injury.
In his 54 regular-season starts since 2022, Garrett has a record of 14-16 with a 3.86 earned-run average. His numbers are solid, with 280 strikeouts in 284.2 innings pitched. Garrett is determined to prove himself again, saying, "I'm here to compete. I've worked hard this offseason, and I'm excited to do my best and help the team."
The Marlins' pitching rotation is a mix of experienced and up-and-coming talent. Sandy Alcantara, with an 11-12 record, was the team's workhorse last season, pitching over 140 innings. Other rotation possibilities include Eury Perez, Jason Junk, Max Meyer, Adam Mazur, and Ryan Gusto, all of whom had varying levels of success last season.
The Marlins have also made some moves in the off-season, signing free agent Chris Paddack and trading for Bradley Blalock. These additions bring experience, with Paddack making 28 starts for two different teams and Blalock making 12 starts for the Colorado Rockies. However, none of these pitchers had an ERA below 4.00, which could be a cause for concern.
Garrett is excited about the team's depth and talent, especially with the addition of left-handers Robby Snelling and Thomas White, who were in Triple-A last year. He believes the competition will push everyone to perform at their best. "It's not a bad thing to have depth," he said.
The Marlins kick off their Grapefruit League schedule this Saturday against the New York Mets. Garrett's return to the mound will be a highlight for many fans, especially those who have followed his journey from Alabama high schools to the professional leagues.
Garrett has been with the Miami organization since he was drafted in 2016, and his story is unique. Only two players from Alabama high schools were drafted earlier than Garrett in the summer First-Year Player Draft. His high school career, which began at Foley and continued at Florence, was exceptional, with impressive stats and awards, including the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Mr. Baseball honor in 2015 and the Gatorade Alabama Baseball Player of the Year in 2016.
But here's where it gets controversial... Garrett's journey has been interrupted by surgeries, and some might question whether he can maintain his performance and stay healthy. Can he overcome these challenges and become a consistent starter for the Marlins? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Garrett's determination and talent make him a force to be reckoned with.
And this is the part most people miss... Garrett's story is a reminder that setbacks are a part of any athlete's journey. It's how they overcome these obstacles that defines their career. So, will Braxton Garrett make a successful comeback? The baseball world is watching, and we invite you to join the discussion. Do you think Garrett has what it takes to become a star again? Share your thoughts in the comments!
