Adriano Marrero 4/25/26

Yesterday Dodgers RHP Adriano Marrero threw at Papago Sports Complex (SFG facility) in an extended spring training game. He k'd 5 in 2 IP and flashed impressive stuff. Marrero, an 18-year-old Cuban, was originally signed by the Miami Marlins as a 2025 IFA for $350k. Last December he was acquired by the Dodgers in the Estuery Ruiz trade.

Hitters were overmatched by Marrero’s breaking stuff. The slider featured sharp/slicing two-plane break and the low-cresting curve moved 11 – 5 with more depth. Marrero has advanced feel for spin and can land breakers in zone to get ahead in the count. SL has a good chance to be elite and CB also plus. The CHG is more of a work in progress. This is an advanced arsenal for a pitcher who is the age of a HS senior.

I didn’t get velos, but the fastball LOOKED in line with what was previously reported. Marrero has a good frame, listed at 6’3” 184, appears closer to 195 now. not hard to see him adding weight and strength with age. Well-proportioned athlete - the right mix of coordinated and strong.

Thick thighs/well-built lower half should take burden off of his arm. Easy mover on with loose arm and clean arm action. Low-effort delivery w/easy deceleration/finish. Good balance and well-coordinated. Back hip opens early and front foot also lands slightly open which lead to “yanks”, non-competitive misses, and east/west control problems.

He still threw a good amount of strikes in spite of these flaws. I believe command and velo could both take a step forward with delayed hip/trunk rotation and a better landing.

Makeup cookie crumbles – Marrero struggled early, hitting a batter and mis-timing his release point but quickly regained composure and to k the next 5 hitters. He also flashed a wry smile after the ump missed a strike call and looked unperturbed by it.

It was a brief look, but I see a lot of SP ingredients here, and I like Marrero’s odds of sticking in the rotation. Upside something like a #2 SP, but he is far away so it is high risk, and he has a lot to prove.

Factors that will determine whether he can reach his ceiling: - Can he log SP type innings? - Weather he can clean up mechanics issues and become more fine in zone - How velocity develops It would not surprise me to see Marrero in the CAL League sooner than later b/c he might not be challenged much on the complex. The breaking stuff is too dominant.