Top Prospect Heaney Sent To Minors By Marlins
JUPITER (CBSMiami) – While the expectations for Marlins left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney remain high; he won't be starting the 2014 on the main roster for the Marlins.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, Heaney was one of 17 players seen moving to the Marlins' minor league spring training clubhouse Monday morning. The 22-year-old left-handed starting pitcher is the Marlins' top overall prospect according to multiple scouting services.
Heaney played last season playing in high-A baseball and dominated with an ERA of just 0.88 in 12 starts. In 61.2 innings pitched, he gave up just 6 earned runs and struck out 66 hitters to just 17 walks. He continued to dominate at Double-A Jacksonville with a 4-1 record, 2.94 ERA, and 23 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched.
In spring training this year, Heaney has pitched 7.2 innings and given up two earned runs. He carried a 2.35 ERA and a WHIP of 0.913 when he was sent down on Monday.
Heaney could develop into the Marlins' number two starter behind staff ace Jose Fernandez. A one-two punch of a young Fernandez and Heaney would give the Marlins two solid starters at the top of the rotation to build around for several years.
But, Heaney will start out this season in the minors, but don't expect it to be too long before he's brought up. Either way, Heaney is comfortable with the move.
"If it happens, it happens," Heaney told the Herald over the weekend about starting out the season with the Marlins. "If not, it's perfectly fine with me. I can't predict anything. I would hope [to get called up sometime this season]. But if I go to Double A and [stink], you never know."
Heaney is said to have a dominating fastball along with a solid slider and a deceptive changeup. If he continues to develop at the current pace, it's only a matter of when he joins the main roster this season.
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