The Miami Marlins have officially released first baseman Matt Mervis and catcher Rob Brantly, according to the transaction records on MiLB.com. Both players spent part of the 2024 season in the major leagues but were reassigned to the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville after clearing waivers and being taken off the 40-man roster.

Matt Mervis’ Early Promise Fizzles Amid Striking Challenges

Matt Mervis, 27, created some early buzz for Marlins fans during the season’s start with a burst of home runs, hitting six in his first 13 games while batting .275/.333/.725. Despite this promising start, his power display was accompanied by a troubling strikeout pattern, fanning 18 times in just 45 plate appearances—a strikeout rate of 40%. Mervis’s long-standing issues with strikeouts continued as his performance slumped sharply, hitting only .125/.213/.213 with a 37% strikeout rate over the next 89 plate appearances before being designated for assignment.

Since moving down to Triple-A Jacksonville, Mervis has shown some resurgence, slashing .250/.310/.614 with 13 home runs in 145 plate appearances. Yet, much of that production has been influenced by a recent hot streak, and he still struck out in 27% of those appearances. This marks his fourth season spending significant time at the Triple-A level, where his strikeout rates have consistently been above average, including a 30% strikeout rate during 350 plate appearances with the Cubs‘ Triple-A team last season.

Rob Brantly’s Season Cut Short by Injury After Major League Promotion

Rob Brantly, a 36-year-old catcher, was called up to the majors with Miami to provide depth but was quickly sidelined by a lat strain sustained during that period. What was initially intended as a short-term major league stay expanded into several months on the 60-day injured list, during which Brantly accumulated over two months of major league service time.

Brantly has experienced a lengthy professional baseball journey, appearing in parts of 10 MLB seasons. However, his limited big league plate appearances have capped out at 36 in a single season since 2013. Across 472 major league plate appearances, he holds a .226/.286/.323 batting line. He has also spent significant time in Triple-A, playing parts of 13 seasons and compiling more than 2,700 plate appearances.

Implications of the Releases for the Marlins’ Roster Moving Forward

The decision to release Matt Mervis and Rob Brantly reflects ongoing roster adjustments as the Marlins strive to improve their depth and performance amid the challenges faced by both players this season. Mervis’s power potential remains apparent but is overshadowed by persistent strikeout issues, while Brantly’s injury curtailed any chance of contributing meaningfully this year. The releases open opportunities for other players within the organization to step up and secure roles at the major league level as the season progresses.