Marlins’ Nick Neidert sharp in Arizona Fall League

Nick Neidert had a rough 2019 season plagued by a knee injury. He was mainly at Triple-A New Orleans (5.05 ERA in 9 starts) but spent a third of his starts in Jupiter split between the Florida State League and the Gulf Coast League.

An invitation to the Arizona Fall League put a validating cap to his season.

In his first start, Neidert threw 2 2/3 innings, giving up two runs with three strikeouts against the Peoria Javelinas. He turned it around against the Mexican Pacific League’s Naranjeros de Hermosillo on Tuesday with four scoreless innings and six strikeouts, leading the Salt River Rafters to a 4-0 win.

Neidert was one of three minor league prospects that were acquired by the Seattle Mariners in the Dee Gordon trade two offseasons ago. One of them is Robert Dugger, who made it to the big leagues this summer.

Next year could be Neidert’s turn.