Robert Dugger

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #28 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Dugger went undrafted out of high school, then pitched two seasons at Cisco (Texas) JC. Dugger then moved to Texas Tech's bullpen for his draft year. The Mariners drafted Dugger with their 18th-round pick in 2016, then traded him to the Marlins as part of the Dee Gordon deal.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Dugger makes the most of his average mix by throwing strikes, changing speeds and pitching to contact. He throws four- and two-seam fastballs, with his two-seamer acting more like an 88-92 mph sinker and his four-seamer coming in straighter at 90-93 mph. Dugger also throws a trio of average offspeed pitches, headlined by a low-80s slider that works as his go-to pitch against righthanders. Dugger uses his low-70s curveball effectively against lefthanders, and his changeup is used just enough to keep hitters off-balance.
  
  THE FUTURE: Dugger was roughed up in his first taste of the majors in 2019, displaying the slim margin for error his stuff allows. He will likely continue to get chances in the Marlins' starting rotation in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #22 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A reliever during his collegiate days, Dugger was the Mariners' 18th-round pick in 2016. Midway through 2017, Dugger moved to the starting rotation and his prospect status spiked, leading the Marlins to ask for the 6-foot-2 righthander in the trade that sent Dee Gordon to Seattle.
  
  Scouting Report: Dugger attacks hitters with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball, with the two-seamer usually sitting 92-93 mph with sink while his four-seamer is straighter but comes across in the mid-90s. Dugger also has a trio of offspeed pitches, including a low- to mid-80s slider that has become his main out-pitch against righthanders. Dugger's changeup and upper-70s curveball keep hitters off-balance and gives him five average-or-better pitches. Dugger's has at least average control of his entire arsenal.
  
  The Future: Dugger has been a consistent performer since transitioning to the starting rotation, and he should get his first taste of Triple-A New Orleans in 2019. Dugger is one of several Marlins righthanded pitching prospects with a chance to become a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter in the big leagues soon.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #23 prospect in 2018
  Dugger relieved at both Cisco (Texas) JC and Texas Tech before the Mariners drafted him in the 18th round in 2016 and signed him for $70,000. He was largely just another nondescript minor league reliever until the Mariners shifted him to the rotation midway through 2017. The Marlins acquired him with Nick Neidert and Chris Torres in the trade of Dee Gordon after the 2017 season. Dugger thrived in a starting role at low Class A Clinton, posting a 1.18 ERA as a starter compared to 3.42 out of the bullpen, and that continued with nine more starts at high Class A Modesto. Dugger comes at hitters with both a four-seam and two-seam fastball. His two-seamer sits 92-93 mph and touches 95 with sink, though he has started relying more on his slightly harder four-seamer. His best secondary is a 76-79 mph curveball that misses bats, and he also mixes in a low- to mid-80s slider and changeup. Dugger is athletic and works quickly, pounding the strike zone using a repeatable three-quarters delivery and a firm, but somewhat violent, cross-body finish. Dugger's rapid ascent after moving to the rotation makes him an intriguing arm to watch in 2018 when he takes the next step to Double-A Jacksonville.

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Dugger went undrafted out of high school, then pitched two seasons at Cisco (Texas) JC. Dugger then moved to Texas Tech's bullpen for his draft year. The Mariners drafted Dugger with their 18th-round pick in 2016, then traded him to the Marlins as part of the Dee Gordon deal.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Dugger makes the most of his average mix by throwing strikes, changing speeds and pitching to contact. He throws four- and two-seam fastballs, with his two-seamer acting more like an 88-92 mph sinker and his four-seamer coming in straighter at 90-93 mph. Dugger also throws a trio of average offspeed pitches, headlined by a low-80s slider that works as his go-to pitch against righthanders. Dugger uses his low-70s curveball effectively against lefthanders, and his changeup is used just enough to keep hitters off-balance.
  
  THE FUTURE: Dugger was roughed up in his first taste of the majors in 2019, displaying the slim margin for error his stuff allows. He will likely continue to get chances in the Marlins' starting rotation in 2020.