Jake Esch. The Miami Marlins are opening up 2016 with a pitcher that most baseball fans and even most Marlins fans have never heard of. Esch will turn 26 in a few weeks and is currently listed as the Marlins’ number nine overall prospect. That says more about the Marlins’ system than about Esch, unfortunately.

Esch spent 2015 between Double-A and Triple-A. He pitched 85.1 innings for the Double-A Jupiter Suns, going 6-5 over 15 starts with a 3.48 ERA and 7.17 K/9. He then advanced to Triple-A New Orleans where he didn’t fare quite as well, starting 6 games and going 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA and only 6.00 K/9. He doesn’t project as much more than a fringe fifth starter or perhaps a long reliever in the bullpen. He’ll get the start against the University of Miami on Tuesday, but isn’t being given a legitimate look for a major league roster spot. He’ll almost certainly start the year at Triple-A but may get a call if the Marlins pitching depth is challenged by injuries again in 2016.

Following Esch in the exhibition game will be Kendry Flores, Tim Berry, Brian Ellington, Scott McGough, Austin Brice, Nick Wittgren, and Cody Ege. Flores, Ellington, and McGough, all have major league experience with the Marlins, with Ellington the most likely to contribute early in 2016. All except Flores are likely bullpen arms, with Ellington and Wittgren looking like late-inning relievers in the future.

It’s not much to look at and not much to talk about, but it’s exciting to finally have baseball players in Marlins caps playing baseball games where someone is keeping score. The Fish officially start Grapefruit League play against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday. That day’s pitching rotation will likely bring a lot more intrigue than this exhibition game’s will.