Trevor Rogers: Marlin on the Rise

Trevor Rogers is a 6’6” left handed pitcher from Carlsbad, New Mexico, and the newest first round pick of the Miami Marlins. He was MLB.COM’s 25th rated prospect going into the draft, going one pick after 12th ranked RHP Shane Baz went to the Pirates and one pick before 13th ranked first baseman Nick Pratto went to the Royals.

Rogers signed with the Marlins a week after the draft, at nearly a half million dollars below slot value, for $3.4 million. This was his tweet at the time:

Rogers posted an 11-0 record, a 0.33 ERA, racked up 134 strikeouts versus just 13 walks, and threw three no-hitters in his final season with Carlsbad High. If there are no speed bumps in Rogers’ development, we would be seeing him with the parent club to join the rotation sometime around 2021. He relies on an effortless 93-95 MPH fastball possibly projecting to 98 as he fills out his lithe 185 lb. frame. He also has a hard curve which lacks consistency but should round out in time.

Rogers said that he tries to fashion his game after notable left-hander Randy Johnson, although he admits he’s not quite that tall. I want to remind you all that he may not be done growing yet.

The possibilities are endless with Rogers, who projects as a number-two starter with a few years of seasoning in the Marlins minor league system. As for Rogers himself, he seems to be ready to get back at it:

I’ve been dreaming about it since I was seven-year’s-old. Now here I am, and I couldn’t be more thankful than to be drafted by such a high-class organization, it’s going to be a fun ride. I definitely need to put on a little muscle. - Rogers, in a post-signing interview.

Rogers’ cousin is none other than former Marlin, Cody Ross. Ross slashed .265/.322/.465 with 80 home runs and 297 RBI in five seasons with the Marlins, and last played with the 2015 Oakland Athletics.

Rogers is currently rated as Miami’s number three prospect. The 2017 Prospect Watch MLB.COM page had this to say about him:

Rogers, the cousin of former big leaguer Cody Ross, leapt onto the Draft radar with a strong performance on the summer showcase circuit, particularly the Area Code Games. While he wasn't quite as electric this spring as he was over the summer, his considerable upside, in a left-handed package, prompted the Marlins to draft Rogers with the No. 13 overall pick, marking the second straight year the organization had selected a prep lefty in the first round after taking Braxton Garrett seventh overall in 2016.

Rogers will show plenty of fastball, occasionally touching the mid-90s but more often than not pitching at 89-92 mph. His heater plays up because of his long arms, deception and very good command of the pitch. Rogers' secondary stuff is well behind his fastball, as he'll throw a slider and a curveball that tend to bleed together. Because he has trouble staying on top of his curve, some scouts believe he will likely be better off sticking to the slider at the next level. He also throws a changeup that is getting better and approaching average.

Rogers' velocity comes naturally because he's athletic and because he has a sound and repeatable delivery, and the Marlins feel there's a lot more to unlock from his 6-foot-6 frame. Though he's likely to be brought along slowly to begin his career, Rogers shows the makings of becoming a mid-rotation starter.

Rogers’ projects as a number-two or -three starter in a major league rotation. It’s still a mystery where he will start this campaign, but we should expect him to join Miami sometime in 2021.