Groshans called up by Marlins, debuts against Phillies

MIAMI -- As they have done over the past few months, the Marlins on Tuesday called up another young talent, selecting the contract of No. 12 prospect Jordan Groshans. Groshans started at third base and hit eighth in the series opener against the Phillies at loanDepot park, going 0-for-3 in the 2-1 loss.

Groshans, 22, whom the Marlins acquired from the Blue Jays on Aug. 3 for right-handed relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop, along with a player to be named, is a shortstop, but he had been seeing time at second and third base at Triple-A Jacksonville.

“I talked to my parents first, because it's a childhood dream come true,” said Groshans, whose mom and dad; brother Jaxx, a Red Sox prospect; and girlfriend were in attendance. “My heart was beating really fast. Still kind of is right now. But it's getting better, getting closer to game time.”

How often Groshans plays has yet to be decided, because his callup came about rather quickly, expedited by Avisaíl García returning to the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. Other infielders on the roster include veterans Miguel Rojas, Joey Wendle and Brian Anderson; rookie Charles Leblanc; and utility players Jon Berti and Luke Williams.

“It may cut down a little bit on some other guys that may need rest or whatever, but definitely want to get him in the mix,” manager Don Mattingly said. “Nobody's forcing me to put him in the lineup every day or anything like that, but I'm assuming we do want to see him play.”

Groshans’ journey hasn’t been without its bumps. Selected 12th overall in the 2018 Draft, he was limited to 146 games from 2018-21 because of a foot injury in ‘19, no Minor League season in ‘20 and a sore back in ‘21. According to MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, he projected as a power-over-hit guy coming out of the Draft but hit just eight homers in 595 plate appearances from ‘21-22 in the Blue Jays system.

But Groshans made a concerted effort to reverse that, focusing on his timing and approach at the plate. Following the trade, he slashed .301/.399/.416 with seven doubles, two homers and as many walks (19) as strikeouts (19) in 31 games for the Jumbo Shrimp. He called his plate discipline the biggest strength in his game.

“I think it was more self-evaluation,” Groshans said. “I think I've focused for a long time on being a good hitter, and that's what's really important to me. Now getting up here, it's time to start getting into the ball and producing some damage.”

With 21 games remaining, Groshans believes he can show the organization a lot by season’s end. He is focused on winning and being the best player and teammate he can be.

Earlier in the day, Mattingly spoke with Triple-A Jacksonville manager Daren Brown, who put a Michael Young comparison on Groshans.

“Pretty, pretty high praise,” Mattingly said. “I'd say the organization would take Michael Young right now if that's the comp.”