Peter Bendix has been very busy in the last few days. Since hauling in several prospects from many organizations during MLB’s Trade Deadline, the Marlins just announced that they’ve claimed former top prospect outfielder Cristian Pache off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Pache, 25, was designated for assignment by the Orioles just two days ago after he was acquired for Austin Hays, who joined the Phillies. Pache went 1-3 in his solo game with the Orioles. Pache is out of minor-league options, so he’ll be placed on Miami’s active roster.
The Atlanta Braves originally signed him in July 2015 out of the Dominican Republic. At the time of his signing, he was the 21st-best international prospect. He would go on to make his MLB Debut in 2020.
Once a former top prospect with the Braves, his bat never came to fruition once he arrived in the MLB. Still an incredible defender with plus speed, he will give the Marlins options to an already very young team. In 119 plate appearances between the Orioles and Phillies, Pache hit .210, with a 36.1% strikeout rate. Since 2020, Pache has a career average of .181 with only six home runs and 42 RBIs.
At season’s end, he will be arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career, meaning it would give him and Miami an additional three years of club control. He might not be the best hitter in the league, but the rebuilding Marlins could consider giving the young Dominican outfielder a chance to play with the defensive wizard he’s become.
This will be Pache’s moment to pounce. With a current outfield of Jesus Sanchez, Kyle Stowers, Nick Gordon, and Forrest Wall, hopefully, he can make strides and find the hitter he once was in the minor leagues.
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Cristian Pache #19 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the dugout prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on May 29, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
