What to expect from Miami Marlins rookie Kyle Barraclough

The Miami Marlins promoted right-hander Kyle Barraclough from the minors on Sunday. He's already appeared in two games for the Marlins, throwing scoreless relief innings against the Braves and Nationals, giving up a pair each of hits and walks but fanning four.

He is a bit under the radar as bullpen prospects go. Let's take a look.

Basic info from 2016 Baseball Prospect Book:

Kyle Barraclough, RHP, Miami Marlins
Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-3 WT: 225 DOB: May 23, 1990

Barraclough was drafted in the seventh round in 2012 by the Cardinals from St. Mary’s College in California. He was traded to the Marlins last summer for Steve Cishek and performed well enough in a big league trial to earn more chances. Barraclough can hit 98 MPH, works at 93-95, and has a good slider. His biggest problem is spotty command and he’ll absolutely have to lower his walk rate to maintain the sub-3.00 ERA over a full season in the majors. One notable fact: he’s given up just two homers in his four-year minor league career, which certainly helps the ERA even when his walk rate is too high. Grade C.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY:

Barraclough pitched 24 innings for the Marlins last year but retains rookie eligibility for 2016. In the majors thus far he has a 2.39 ERA with a 34/20 K/BB and just 14 hits allowed.

There's no issue with his stuff: he throws hard and I'd rate that slider as particularly nasty when he's on. It all boils down to command: when he has it, he is a quality high-leverage short reliever and set-up man who could even close games eventually. If his command remains spotty, middle man and mop-up work will be his destiny.

The safe guess is to project him as somewhere in between, but I must say that I find his sparse home run rates to be an intriguing marker. He is a depth play for fantasy but could be worth stashing if that's appropriate for your league rules. In real life he could help several clubs, including the Marlins.