Karson Milbrandt Impresses Marlins With Stuff, Athleticism
Marlins fans are sure to take notice of what Glen Dishman has to say about 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander Karson Milbrandt.
The Low-A Jupiter pitching coach heaps praise on Milbrandt’s makeup. According to Dishman, the 19-year-old is “goofy” and “fun” in the dugout and a great teammate.
But “it’s time to work” when Milbrandt gets on the mound.
“Karson has a calmness,” Dishman said. “It’s his ability to absorb information and implement it in games.”
Milbrandt is a Kansas City native whose father Chad was briefly a walk-on wide receiver for Northern Iowa. He is an impressive athlete who at one point thought his game would be basketball after making all-district at Liberty (Mo.) High.
In football, he played wide receiver, like his father, as well as safety and kicker. His range on field goals was 40 yards.
Milbrandt was a quick learner who didn’t start pitching until his freshman year of high school. He committed to Vanderbilt, but the Marlins drafted him in the third round in 2022 and signed him to an over-slot $1.5 million bonus.
“As a kid, you’d have to drag him off the field because he never wanted to stop practicing until whatever he was working on was perfect,” Chad Milbrandt said. “That stubbornness was often difficult to deal with as parents, but it has helped him become successful in baseball.”
Milbrandt is one of the organization’s fastest rising prospects. In 12 starts for Jupiter, he recorded a 5.33 ERA with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 52.1 innings. The Marlins promoted him to High-A Beloit in early July.
“Karson continues to show he may be a big-time prospect,” said Marlins scouting director DJ Svihlik, who compares Milbrandt with former Marlins prospect Chris Paddack. “While Karson’s command appears shaky on paper, he’s learning to harness his new stuff.
“His fastball has exploded, and he’s comfortably pitching at 95-98 (mph) with ride. His new spike-curve is developing well, and he has great temperament.”
Dishman said Milbrandt throwing his hard curve with downward action “will be key to putting away hitters.”
High-A Beloit pitching coach Jason Erickson saw Milbrandt in spring training and liked his fastball velocity and movement.
“He also has good hand speed on his changeup,” Erickson said, “and he has the makings of a plus curve.”
