Despite Draft Selection, Tristan Dietrich’s Sight’s Are Set On FIU

MIAMI, FL – In the 18th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins selected pitcher Tristan Dietrich. A 6’4″ left-handed pitcher out of Owen J. Roberts is enrolled at FIU and is expected to honor his commitment.

On Thursday, I broke the news that Dietrich chose not to sign with the Marlins despite there being rumors of the team offering him over one million dollars. “I really appreciate the opportunity that the Marlins gave me but I am going to continue my baseball and my educational career at FIU this year,” said Dietrich on Thursday when we spoke.

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Dietrich went through the draft combine but really had no expectations entering the draft as his sights were always set on FIU. “Talking to a lot of people that have gone through the process, they told me over and over again, never get too high and never too low,” said Dietrich.

It makes a lot of sense as to why the Marlins would draft someone like Dietrich. A 6’4″ lefty that has a mid 90’s fastball along with a changeup which the Marlins can turn into a power pitch along with a sweeping slider as a bonus makes a lot of sense.

The recruiting process for Dietrich was quiet when it came as to why he ended up going to FIU. “The recruiting process was very quiet for the most part,” said Dietrich. “I got the offer through the old coaching staff and took around 1 week to say yes to the offer. I believed that it was a place that I could develop as a player and a person.”

Dietrich brings a fastball which is around 90-91 MPH which touched 94 MPH at the draft combine. He also possesses a changeup around 80-84 MPH, a sweeping slider around 78-79 MPH and a curveball around 74-75 MPH. Although Dietrich didn’t throw the curveball much in the past, it is a pitch that he has been working on this summer and is getting to the point that it can be added to his arsenal full-time.

When speaking to FIU coach Rich Witten, he was very high on Dietrich. “He projects as someone who can be a starting pitcher,” said Witten. “Very effortless delivery, fastball really jumps out of the hand. He can hold velocity and can show you three above-average pitches.”

Dietrich is currently taking summer classes at FIU and has adapted well to the new environment. “Being down in Miami for the summer has been awesome,” said Dietrich. “I’ve been able to spark up friendships with all the people in the recruiting class and met a lot of the returning players when they would pop their heads in. Great group of guys.”

Although it is unlikely that we see Dietrich in the starting rotation this upcoming season, it wouldn’t be a shocker if by his sophomore season, he is starting conference games for this team with the high ceiling that he has.

“I do not have any expectations for myself,” said Dietrich. “I just go out to practice, games, class and workouts and just give my 100% effort at all times. I owe it to myself and my teammates and coaches. I take every day, day by day and can’t wait to see everybody on this team’s hard work pay off this spring.”