Former Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right-handed pitcher Jack Ralston made his major league debut Sunday for the Miami Marlins in a 6-2 win over the Washington Nationals at loanDepot park.
Ralston pitched two scoreless relief innings and recorded two strikeouts. He registered his first career strikeout against Nasim Nunez in the top of the seventh inning, becoming the 12th Jacksonville alumnus to debut in the major leagues during the 2026 season.
Ralston’s 2026 season with Jacksonville
Ralston appeared in 39 games for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp during the 2026 season. He posted a 1.66 ERA and a .157 batting average against in 59.2 innings, while recording 75 strikeouts and a 31.1 percent strikeout rate.
His 75 strikeouts ranked second among International League relievers. Ralston signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins following the 2025 season after splitting that year between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis.
He recorded a 3.61 ERA, a 28 percent strikeout rate and a .248 batting average against in 57.1 innings during the 2025 season. Ralston was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of UCLA and spent the first six years of his professional career in the Cardinals system.
Jacksonville’s 2026 major league debuts
Ralston followed Deyvison De Los Santos, who debuted with the Miami Marlins on March 29, and Matt Pushard, who debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals on March 29. Josh Ekness debuted with the Miami Marlins on May 3, followed by Joe Mack on May 4, William Kempner on May 5, Dax Fulton on May 6 and Robby Snelling on May 8.
Josh White debuted with the Miami Marlins on May 31, Zach McCambley debuted with the Cincinnati Reds on June 3, Woo-Suk Go debuted with the Minnesota Twins on July 9 and Jefry Yan debuted with the New York Mets on Aug. 5.
A total of 1,068 players have played for Jacksonville and in the major leagues. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins and compete in the International League, with home games at VyStar Ballpark.
Source: Original report