Most Pleasant Surprise of Marlins’ First Half? Jordan Yamamoto.

Through all the disappointments and hard times of the Marlins’ first half there were a few bright spots to be excited about. I’m only going to be talking about one exciting bright spot in Jordan Yamamoto.

Acquired in the Christian Yelich trade, Yamamoto was thought of as the least regarded prospect in the trade. Yet, he has outperformed his fellow trade pieces, who have performed very well at the minor league level. He has made his way onto the big league scene before Monte Harrison and Isan Diaz have. *Lewis Brinson is progressing very well.*

Both Harrison and Diaz have had great seasons thus far for Triple-A New Orleans but an immediate need in the rotation due to injury opened the door for Yamamoto to make the big league club out of Double-A Jacksonville.

In five starts for the Marlins, Yamamoto holds a 3-0 record with a 1.24 ERA, yes a 1.24 ERA… I don’t think that’s too bad for a “throw in” piece. In 29 innings pitched, he has allowed 11 hits and he hasn’t allowed more than THREE hits in any of his outings. That makes him only the THIRD pitcher since 1900 to have five straight starts without allowing more than three hits. He also hasn’t allowed a home run this season. (via @DuseReport)

More Jordan Yamamoto facts:

Since 1900, he’s just the third pitcher to make his MLB debut w/five straight starts of three-or-fewer hits allowed, per Elias.

He joins Tom Cheney (‘57-59) & Chris Paddack (‘19). #Marlins

— Wells Dusenbury (@DuseReport) July 6, 2019

His slider has been his best pitch and it’s un-hittable, literally. Batters are 0-31 with 19 strikeouts against his slider, yes 19 strikeouts. Hitters are having trouble hitting his other pitches also. Batters are only hitting for a .117 average and only have 11 hits against him.

An impressive stat for Jordan Yamamoto is that he holds the longest streak of allowing no more than three earned runs and three hits or less while pitching four innings or more to start a career with five straight starts that meet that criteria. (via @MaxSportsStudio)

Longest steak by a SP of lasting four innings or more, conceding no more than two earned runs, and yielding three hits or less to start one’s career (single calendar year) since 1908:

2019 Jordan Yamamoto (5)
2005 Matt Cain (4)
2018 Sandy Alcantara (3)
2015 Eduardo Rodriguez (3)

— Max's Sporting Studio (@MaxSportsStudio) July 8, 2019

He shut down a very hot Atlanta Brave’s lineup in probably his best outing of the season in my opinion, based on who he faced. Video below of his dominance against Atlanta. (via @Marlins)

Wanna dance? Jordan's fav is swing. #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/Hk81YA28JT

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 6, 2019

I think he could be a possible NL Rookie of the Year candidate this year, he would have to beat Mets’ Pete Alonso to win it but he could definitely be a candidate if he keeps pitching the way he has been.