Braxton Garrett, the former Florence High School standout, has resumed pitching with the Miami Marlins during spring training, aiming to reclaim his spot in the National League team’s starting rotation. Garrett, who has not played in the major leagues since June 17, 2024, is recovering from surgery on his pitching elbow for the second time in his professional career and reported feeling very positive after recently arriving at spring training in Jupiter, Florida.
“Miss the little bit of anxiety, getting ready to pitch, you know. It’s been a while, so feeling it for the first time again will be a lot of fun,”
Garrett said, capturing the mix of excitement and nerves as he prepares to compete again.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance Before Injury
Garrett had established himself as a reliable starter for Miami, entering the rotation in June 2022 and making 17 consecutive starts that season. Over 2022 and 2023, he made 39 starts combined, including one in the postseason, and fought through an elbow ailment that sidelined him after seven appearances in 2024. Across 54 starts since 2022, he recorded a 14-16 win-loss record and a 3.86 earned-run average (ERA), with 280 strikeouts over 284.2 innings.
“Always here to compete. I don’t think anything’s going to be handed to me. I’ve been out a little too long for that, in my opinion. I worked really hard this offseason. I’m really excited, so, yeah, here to compete, do the best I can and try and help the team the best I can,”
Garrett affirmed, expressing his determination and readiness for the challenges ahead.
Miami Marlins’ Pitching Staff and Team Depth
Last season, Sandy Alcantara was the only Marlins pitcher to exceed 140 innings, posting an 11-12 record with 174.2 innings pitched in 31 starts. Beyond Alcantara, the rotation returning from last year includes Eury Perez (20 starts), Jason Junk (16 starts), Max Meyer (12 starts), Adam Mazur (6 starts), and Ryan Gusto (3 starts). Miami has also added experience through free agent Chris Paddack and acquired Bradley Blalock via trade, with both having started games for their previous MLB teams.
Despite this depth, the Marlins’ pitchers struggled with consistency; none maintained an ERA below 4.00, and four had ERAs above 5.00. Garrett noted the strength and promise within the group:
“We have a really talented group,”
Garrett said.
“Obviously, Sandy, Eury, Max. You know, we got the two lefties who were in Triple-A last year – (Robby) Snelling, Thomas White — really talented guys. It’s not a bad thing that we have some depth, that’s for sure. I’m excited to work with those guys and compete with them.”
Spring Schedule and Upcoming Challenges
The Marlins will open their Grapefruit League schedule facing the New York Mets on Saturday at 12:10 p.m. CST at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This marks the starting point of a critical preseason phase as Garrett and the rest of the rotation vie for spots on the major league roster.
Garrett’s Journey from Alabama to the Major Leagues
Since being selected by the Miami Marlins with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Garrett has been part of the organization throughout his career. His draft position ranks him among Alabama high school players taken earliest, trailing only Condredge Holloway, picked fourth in 1971, and Rick James, chosen sixth in 1965.
Garrett initially started his high school baseball at Foley before transferring to Florence when his father, Steve Garrett, moved from coaching the Foley Lions to leading the Florence Falcons. His standout high school career includes a 7-1 record with a 0.75 ERA in 2015, striking out 141 batters while only issuing 11 walks over 66.6 innings. That performance earned him the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Baseball award.
In 2016, he continued his dominant play, finishing 6-2 with a 0.54 ERA and 131 strikeouts, securing the Gatorade Alabama Baseball Player of the Year honors. After entering professional baseball, Garrett faced a major setback when he missed all of 2018 following Tommy John surgery, an experience he is now facing again with his recent elbow operation.
Overcoming Setbacks and Staying Focused on Rehabilitation
Reflecting on the challenges of returning from surgery, Garrett highlighted the support system that made the recovery process more manageable. He credited the organization’s facilities in Miami, his personal trainer Mike Chamberlain, and the camaraderie with teammates for making the difficult stretches easier to endure.
“But again, as I’ve said a couple times, like, my teammates and just being around in Miami, the new facilities we have down there, really made it a lot easier. My (personal trainer), Mike Chamberlain, really made it easy for me, worked with me on a schedule that was comfortable for me. And, you know, of course, it was hard, especially when the team was on the road. I really looked forward to when the team was at home. But, yeah, thanks to the organization, it wasn’t as bad as it could be,”
Garrett explained.
Significance of Garrett’s Return for the Marlins’ Future
Braxton Garrett’s comeback represents a vital opportunity for both the player and the Miami Marlins. With the team’s pitching staff showing depth but lacking consistent success last season, Garrett’s proven ability as a starter offers hope for stabilizing the rotation. His competitive spirit and resilience in overcoming two major elbow surgeries underscore his passion and determination to contribute at a high level.
The Marlins’ upcoming spring training performances will be crucial as Garrett and his fellow pitchers compete for key roles, with the goal of improving Miami’s standing in the National League. Garrett’s return to form may well influence not only his own career trajectory but also the team’s prospects heading into the new season.
