Anthony Maldonado

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #22 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: An 11th round draft choice out of Bethune-Cookman, Maldonado has established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the Marlins organization. After spending time at both Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville in 2022, Maldonado had an outstanding full season in Triple-A in 2023. He worked to a 1.76 ERA with 71 strikeouts to 21 walks across 46 innings and looked the part of an effective big league reliever.
  
  Scouting Report: Maldonado is high-waisted at 6-foot-4 and features a lethal three-pitch mix that includes a mid-80s cutter, low-80s slider and low-90s two-seam fastball. He throws each offering the same amount, but his cutter-slider combination is especially deadly. Maldonado hides the ball well and attacks from a mid three-quarters slot. He has some arm speed and throws each offering with conviction. His cutter generated an absurd 63% miss rate and held opposing hitters to a minuscule .048 average. Maldonado manipulates its shape well and it consistently flashes late, two-plane break. His slider was just as effective with a 50% miss rate and .102 opponent’s batting average. It takes on a similar look to his cutter, but has a bit more horizontal break. Maldonado’s two-seam fastball isn’t necessarily a bat-misser, but it generates plenty of soft contact with its sinking action.
  
  The Future: Maldonado will have an opportunity to make the big league roster out of camp and could fit in a late-inning role. With two plus pitches, he has the stuff to be an above-average major league reliever.
  
  Scouting Grades Fastball: 45 | Slider: 60 | Cutter: 60 | Control: 55