Saturday, October 24

For an organization that has featured four pitchers on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list (Thomas White, Robby Snelling, Karson Milbrandt and Kevin Defrank) this year, a lesser-known arm received the Marlins’ inaugural Pitcher of the Month honor as part of their Next Wave Awards. 

Left-hander Nate Payne recorded a 16 K/9 rate, a 2.50 ERA and a 1.167 WHIP in four games (three starts) for Single-A Jupiter in April. His performance also warranted an early-season promotion to High-A Beloit. 

“I was just filling up the zone, and that leads to me getting ahead in the count, into two-strike counts, which then leads to strikeouts and limiting walks, and striking out a lot of guys leads to great success,” Payne told MLB.com last month. 

This is exactly what Payne, who ranks as the Marlins’ No. 20 prospect, envisioned when he went against the grain two years ago. 

Selected in the 18th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, Penn., Payne elected to begin his professional career rather than go to George Mason University and boost his stock to become a higher pick next time.  

“It was always a dream just to play pro ball, and I figured skipping out on college would get me one step closer to the ultimate dream of playing in the big leagues, and I figured possibly I could get up there quicker,” Payne said.

Payne pitched for both the Florida Complex League Marlins and Single-A Jupiter in 2025 as a 19-year-old, combining for a 3.20 ERA and an 11.7 K/9 rate across 56 1/3 innings and 17 starts. Payne, now 20, opened his 2026 campaign with the Hammerheads and carried that over.  

According to MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder can spin two breaking balls (curveball, 60 grade on 20-80 scale; slider, 60 grade) to rack up whiffs and chases from his three-quarters delivery. His changeup (45 grade) is a work in progress and needs to be thrown more for strikes. While his fastball velocity (low 90s) won’t light up the radar gun like others, it has improved each year and has another metric that stands out.  

“My fastball is pretty high vert, averaging probably around 18-19 vert, so that helps get some swings under it,” Payne said. “Trying to throw it harder this year than last year. Last year, wasn't throwing it as hard as I am now, and so that's helping again create more whiff.”

Like nearly all prospects, Payne experienced growing pains at a new level. Though he has a 4.44 ERA and a 1.224 WHIP in nine starts, he is trending up at High-A Beloit. Payne has completed six innings in each of his last three starts, allowing just four runs for a 2.00 ERA. He has struck out 23 batters and walked only five in that span.

After seeing how White flew through three levels in 2025, Payne wants to model himself after the Marlins’ top prospect (No. 22 overall) -- just with a different arsenal. 

“The beginning of the season, the ultimate goal is always to put myself in a good spot to then eventually make it to the big leagues,” Payne said. “My goal at the beginning of the season was to end this year in Double-A at least, and that's still the goal. I've gotten one step closer to it being in Beloit, and I just want to continue to do good here and dominate here and get one step closer and get to Double-A by the end of the year, so then next year I'm knocking on the door.” 

Not too bad for a guy who should be balancing college courses and baseball. 

“I play on Xbox with my friends, and we have group chats and stuff like that, so they're always talking about doing class work and doing homework,” Payne said. “I'm always saying I can't relate, and I'm glad I can't relate, because I don't want to do schoolwork.”

Earlier this week, the Marlins announced a relief effort to support communities impacted by the earthquakes in Venezuela, including a $100,000 donation to Global Empowerment Mission to aid emergency response and recovery efforts. 

The initiative, which will involve participation from the organization, corporate sponsors and fans, will provide financial assistance and critically needed supplies. 

Fans attending the July 7-9 series against the Mariners at loanDepot park will get their chance to take part in the relief effort as well: 

• Donate requested relief items at collection boxes located at the Home Plate Entrance (adjacent to the intersection of NW 6 St. and NW 16 Ave.) 

• Purchase a specially priced $5 ticket through the designated offer at Marlins.com/WeLoveVenezuela available to fans who bring a requested donation item to the game. For every qualifying ticket purchased, the Marlins will make a $5 donation to the We Love Venezuela Foundation. 

• Participate in the Marlins 50/50 Raffle, with all three games benefitting the We Love Venezuela Foundation. 

The Marlins invited representatives from the team's sponsors to last weekend’s series victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium for the team's annual partner trip.  

Highlights included a private breakfast at the team hotel with Marlins players, coaches and broadcasters, ending with a special toast to Sandy Alcantara and gifting him the lineup card from his record-breaking game when he became the franchise's all-time strikeout leader.  

Later that day, a group dinner at Ballpark Village near the stadium offered the partners a look at one of the concepts that has inspired the vision for Miami Live!, the future development by The Cordish Company being constructed on the West Plaza of loanDepot park.

• The Marlins finished June with a 20-6 record, setting various records in the process. More >>

• Alcantara became just the third pitcher in franchise history to go 6-0 in a calendar month. More >>  

• Liam Hicks (lower back strain) returned from the injured list, while Anthony Bender (right shin stress reaction) landed on the IL. 

• Janson Junk will make his next scheduled rehab start after taking a comebacker off the left wrist. More >> 

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