RICHMOND, Va. – VCU baseball alum Connor Gillispie, who made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 has been named to the Miami Marlins 26-man MLB Opening Day Roster as a starting pitcher.
 
Gillispie had a strong Spring Training, appearing in six games and starting three with a 3.86 ERA and an impressive 0.92 WHIP. He fanned nine over 16.1 innings of work over his first outings with the club, who signed him in January 2025.
 
Over his first three appearances in the majors last season, Gillispie posted a 2.25 ERA and struck out eight in eight innings. He also tossed five innings and earned the win in the Triple-A Columbus Clippers' combined no-hitter in September.
 
Joining Gillispie in the pros, Vimael Machín was assigned to the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides and Sam Ryan, 2019 MLB Draft selection, will appear with the High-A Tri-City Dust Devils after inking a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
 
Brandon Eike, who was a Cal League Champion with the Mariners' Modesto Nuts in following the 2024 MLB Draft, and Chicago Cubs draft pick Christian Gordon, who was assigned to the ACL Cubs mark the two newest members of the ProRams club.
 
In total, eight Rams are playing professional baseball with Major League clubs or their minor league affiliates.