Marlins deal Fortes to Rays for Double-A outfielder Etzel

ST. LOUIS -- The Marlins on Tuesday dealt catcher Nick Fortes to the Rays in exchange for Double-A outfielder Matthew Etzel.

This marks the 13th MLB deal between the instate rivals, and the fourth since Peter Bendix left the Rays to become the Marlins’ president of baseball operations in November 2023.

TRADE DETAILS
Rays get: C Nick Fortes
Marlins get: Minor League OF Matthew Etzel (the Rays’ No. 28 prospect)

“Opportunity for us to add a quality, talented outfield prospect in the upper levels,” manager Clayton McCullough said. “Some speed, stolen some bases in the Minor Leagues, good zone discipline, bat-to-ball skills. And we feel like it's an opportunity for Nick to go to Tampa and be provided a slightly different opportunity than he had here. Some of these trades, you look at a win for both sides. We get infused with some athleticism, some talent at our upper levels of the Minor Leagues, and Nick gets a shot in Tampa.”

Etzel, who ranked as the Rays' No. 28 prospect per MLB Pipeline, enters the Marlins’ system at No. 30. He was originally selected by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 2023 Draft before being part of the three-prospect package for Zach Eflin last July.

After enjoying success at the plate in Baltimore’s system, Etzel’s OPS dipped nearly 40 points (.692 from .730) and his strikeout rate rocketed to 35% at Tampa Bay’s Double-A affiliate during his first full professional season in 2024.

Though Etzel’s average this season (.230) is lower than previous years, he boasts a .360 on-base percentage in 56 games in 2025. His performance against the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate in Pensacola over the past two seasons likely made him a target. From 2024-25, he went 26-for-83 (.313) with three doubles, six homers and 24 RBIs against the Blue Wahoos.

According to MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, Etzel has a 65-grade run tool, as evidenced by the 45 bases he stole over 119 games in 2024. He projects as a corner outfielder, and has predominantly appeared in left in ‘25. While Etzel is currently on the injured list, he is expected back soon.

The 23-year-old Etzel joins the following top prospect outfielders in Miami’s system: Dillon Head (No. 7, Single-A), Kemp Alderman (No. 8, Double-A), Jakob Marsee (No. 10, Triple-A), PJ Morlando (No. 11, Single-A), Andres Valor (No. 18, Single-A), Victor Mesa Jr. (No. 25, Triple-A) and Andrew Pintar (No. 28, Triple-A).

Fortes, meanwhile, was one of Miami’s longest-tenured position players and the club’s Opening Day starting catcher each of the past two seasons. When Fortes landed on the IL with a left oblique strain in mid-April, the emergence of rookie backstops Agustín Ramírez and Liam Hicks decreased his playing time upon his return.

The Marlins also have Joe Mack (MLB Pipeline's No. 83 overall prospect, Marlins No. 3 prospect) in the pipeline. The Minor Leagues' reigning Gold Glove winner at catcher entered Tuesday with a .712 OPS at Triple-A Jacksonville this season.

The 28-year-old Fortes hit .225/.277/.344 with 38 doubles, two triples, 25 homers and 96 RBIs in 363 games from 2021-25 with Miami, the organization that drafted him in the fourth round in 2018. Behind the dish, he developed into one of the best in blocks above average over the past two seasons.

“It would be tough to find a more relentless workhorse behind the plate,” catching coach Joe Singley wrote to MLB.com. “His discipline and dedication to working every single day made working with him an absolute pleasure. His numbers reflected that work. He improved in every defensive metric (caught stealing percentage exception). Pop time, receiving and blocking. I’m very proud of him and the work he’s done, incredible human. Showed up everyday since January and gave us his ‘Game 7’ intent and effort no matter the circumstance or situation. He took pride in being consistent, disciplined and prepared.”

With Fortes’ departure, Ramírez will continue to be Miami’s primary backstop and Hicks will return to his role as the backup while also splitting time at first base and designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup.

In the Marlins’ 7-1 loss to the Cardinals on Monday night at Busch Stadium, Ramírez and Hicks started at catcher and designated hitter, respectively. On Tuesday, it was flipped.

“We believe in Gus as a catcher, committed to that, continuing to grow and improve,” McCullough said. “We see Gus as someone that's going to be a big part in that position there for us, and so between him and Liam, whether that's four and three, whether that's five and two, sometimes three and four, I think some of it will just be opposing pitcher, maybe the best constructed lineup. Those guys will take down the catching duties, with Gus getting the majority most of the time.”