After pitching out of the bullpen as a freshman, Marriott joined Baylor’s rotation for two years beginning in 2023 but didn’t find consistent success in that role and finished his junior season with a 5.94 ERA, 65 strikeouts and 37 walks in 69 2/3 innings. The D-backs still found some intriguing traits and selected him in the sixth round in 2024 before signing him for below slot at $241,000. Marriott was playing a different tune in his initial taste of pro ball with a 2.29 ERA, 25 K’s and eight walks in his first four starts with High-A Hillsboro to open his first full season, but he needed Tommy John surgery after that.
Before undergoing the elbow procedure, Marriott could run his fastball up to the mid 90s, often sitting a touch below that for basically average fastball velo. His high release point helped him command the ball better to the upper part of the zone, where he could get some swing-and-miss. His best pitch was a low-80s, high-spin curveball, and its tight break was toughest on lefties who struck out 15 times in 41 plate appearances against him in the small sample. His feel for spin should help him find at least an average slider, and he’s flashed a changeup that could give him something arm side.
Marriott showed much better control in pro ball, having tamed some of the rushing he did late in his delivery in college. He is expected back in the middle of the 2026 season, and the D-backs believe he should continue his upward trajectory toward the back end of an MLB rotation once he’s returned to full starting status.
