Rob Brantly Signs Minor League Deal with Marlins

2024 Durham Bulls catcher Rob Brantly has signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins, which includes an invite to the club's Major League Spring Training camp.

#Marlins have reached an agreement with catcher Rob Brantly on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Brantly was a Marlin from 2012-13.

— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) February 5, 2025

Brantly spent the majority of the 2024 campaign with the Bulls, batting .250 (40-160) with 21 runs, six doubles, one triple, five homers and 19 RBI in 52 contests. He also made three appearances as a pitcher, including one memorable outing on July 3 at Norfolk in which he notched the save in a 3-2 11-inning victory, needing only to throw three pitches.

Bulls backup catcher Rob Brantly needed just 3 pitches to record 3 outs in the 11th inning to earn his 1st career save in tonight's win.

Yes, you read that right.

Here's the final out. pic.twitter.com/okPzEsRjAZ

— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 4, 2024

The 35-year-old's contract was selected by Tampa Bay on August 19 and appeared in three contests with the Rays, collecting one hit in nine at-bats. He was designated for assignment on August 24 and outrighted to Durham on August 26, remaining with the Bulls for the rest of the year before electing free agency on October 4. In addition to his on-field play, he was a fan favorite in the Bull City, constantly interacting with fans and was known to volunteer to catch ceremonial pitches when available.

Across nine Major League seasons, Brantly has accumulated a .222 average (94-423), adding 32 runs, 21 doubles, seven homers and 37 RBI for the Rays (2024), Yankees (2021-22), Giants (2020), Phillies (2019), White Sox (2015, 17) and Marlins (2012-13). He was originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in the third round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of UC Riverside.

The Bulls organization wishes to send their best to Rob Brantly, and thank him for his memorable time in the Bull City!