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Marlins promote Badenhop from Mudcats

Right-hander will join big club in Washington, may start Friday
April 7, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Burke Badenhop impressed in Spring Training, and he dazzled in his first Double-A start.

Based on his strong showings, the Marlins wasted little time promoting the 25-year-old right-hander to the big leagues.

Badenhop will join the Marlins on Monday in Washington, and he will join the rotation either on Friday or Sunday.

A need for a starter surfaced on Sunday when 22-year-old right-hander Rick VandenHurk was optioned to Double-A.

For Badenhop, this will be his first opportunity at the big league level. A former All-Academic performer at Bowling Green, the Atlanta, Ga., native was a 19th-round draft pick in 2005.

The Marlins acquired Badenhop from the Tigers in December in the deal that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit.

A sinkerball pitcher, Badenhop came to the Marlins with the reputation of being highly competitive on the mound. Most important, he has shown he can throw strikes.

Badenhop was Double-A Carolina's Opening Day starter, and he worked 6 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on six hits. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.

By adding Badenhop, the Marlins now have two of the pitchers obtained in the trade with the Tigers in their rotation. Andrew Miller, a first-round pick in 2006, will make his second start for Florida on Monday against the Nationals.

Badenhop has logged 408 1/3 innings at the Minor League level. He doesn't have much Double-A experience, a total of four starts and 25 innings. But because he is 25 and has shown maturity, the team believes he is ready to break into the big leagues.

Badenhop would be available to start either on Friday or Sunday in Houston. He will get one of those games, while Ricky Nolasco will get the other.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com.