Blue Wahoos Players Shine Way In MLB Spring Breakout Game Win 

The Blue Wahoos had quite a day in shining among the first-ever showcase series of potential major league talent.

Led by a star performance by outfielder Griffin Conine, five position players who were part of the 2023 Blue Wahoos team, helped lead the way for the Miami Marlins team of prospects into a 3-2 win on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals prospects team, as part of inaugural Major League Baseball Spring Breakout exhibition series.

On the mound, former Blue Wahoos reliever Anthony Maldonado got the save and Ike Buxton, who is expected to be part of the Blue Wahoos opening series rotation, was credited for a hold by pitching a scoreless fifth inning. Max Meyer, part of the Blue Wahoos pitching rotation in 2021, worked the second inning.

Adding to the Blue Wahoos connections, the prospects team was managed by the Blue Wahoos’ Kevin Randel. One of the assistant coaches was Danny Black, a popular fan favorite in Pensacola for his participation in ceremonial first pitches and autograph signings.

Conine, who last season became the Blue Wahoos franchise home run leader, hit a fourth-inning homer over the 405-foot mark in centerfield at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, which is the spring training home shared by the Marlins and Cardinals.

He then added an RBI single in the fifth inning off Cards pitcher Tekoah “TK” Roby, who is a Pine Forest High grad that has risen into being ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect. Roby made his MLB spring training debut March 10 against the Marlins when he worked the ninth inning.

Watching not far away was Conine’s father, former Marlins’ great Jeff Conine, nicknamed “Mr. Marlin,” for being part of both of Miami’s World Series championship teams and his legacy with the franchise.

“He made it today?” said Griffin Conine, speaking to Miami media representatives after the game. “I didn’t know if he was going to make it (to game). It’s always fun (having his dad watch him).

“It’s been great getting to see him on the field this spring,” said Griffin, who grew up in the Fort Lauderdale area and was a high school star at the Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale. “We haven’t had a chance to do that yet in pro ball, so it’s been a lot of fun and I love when he’s out there.”

Conine became the Blue Wahoos franchise leader in RBI last season as well, passing Travis “Moose” Mattair, who had 126 RBI in 263 career games for the Blue Wahoos as a Cincinnati Reds prospect in 2013 and 2014.

In Friday’s MLB Spring Breakout game, which was nationally televised on the MLB Network, as well as various live streaming outs, the Marlins team had eight hits in the seven-inning game. Six of those hits were produced by Blue Wahoos players.

Joining Conine in the starting lineup were Jacob Berry at third base, Troy Johnston at first base, catcher Will Banfield and designated hitter Paul McIntosh. Six of the eight hits in the seven-inning game were produced by Blue Wahoos players.

All three of the Marlins runs were driven home by Blue Wahoos players. In addition to Conine’s two RBI, Johnston scored McIntosh with the Marlins first run on his third inning single. McIntosh went 2-for-3, including a double that exited his bat at 106.2 mph as the hardest hit ball in the game.

Jacob Berry also had a hit in the game.

The MLB Spring Breakout continues through Sunday with other teams involved. There are 16 games featuring all 30 of the MLB teams.

“Really exciting to get the chance to highlight our best prospects in the system,” said Marlins director of minor-league operations Hector Crespo, speaking the Miami media before the game.

“It’s a really cool day and I love this experience for the guys and getting to be on a national television network at such a young age.”

The Marlins final spring training game is March 24. The players who will be part of the 2024 Blue Wahoos opening day roster will remain in Jupiter until March 30 before traveling to Pensacola on Easter weekend.

The Blue Wahoos first workout is April 1, followed by the historic two exhibition games on April 2-3 against the Monterey Sultanes, a team in the Mexican Professional Baseball League, at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Those games will be televised back to Mexico.