JUPITER, Fla. -- The Miami Marlins garnered headlines with multiple blockbuster moves this offseason.
A minor acquisition, snatching left-hander Andrew McKirahan in the Rule 5 Draft from the Chicago Cubs, flew under the radar but could also pay dividends.
The 25-year-old southpaw is in the mix for a relief role. Heading into spring training, Mike Dunn was the only lefty in the Marlins bullpen.
McKirahan has yet to reach the majors and hasn't thrown past the Double-A level, in part because of Tommy John surgery in 2012. After being taken in the 21st round of the 2011 draft, he has gone 5-6 with a 2.16 ERA in 89 outings over four minor-league seasons.
Manager Mike Redmond likes his arm and arsenal, particularly his "great fastball" and "good command." McKirahan throws both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a slider and a changeup.
Redmond said the organization must decide whether it believes McKirahan can help the club in 2015. The Marlins must feel comfortable enough to place McKirahan on the Opening Day roster in order to keep him, per Rule 5 rules.
In five spring outings, McKirahan has given up two runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts over five innings for an 0-1 record and 3.60 ERA.
FOX Sports Florida spoke to McKirahan, whom you can follow on Twitter @a_mckirahanjr, about being a Longhorn, rehabbing from Tommy John and sporting impressive locks ...
FOX SPORTS FLORIDA: You went to the University of Texas at Austin. You grew up near it. Was it your dream school growing up?
ANDREW McKIRAHAN: It was. My mom actually went there. My high school was 30 minutes north. I was born in Austin, so I've always been a huge Longhorn fan. That was a no doubter.
FSF: I've been to Austin and the slogan is 'Keep Austin Weird.' What was the weirdest thing that you saw?
McKIRAHAN: We had this guy, his name was Leslie, and he was a cross dresser. He passed away a few years ago, which was sad. He did a lot of good things for the homeless people there and you would always see him riding around with the weirdest outfits on his bike. Austin's a very unique city. Everybody loves it. I've never met anybody who's been that hasn't liked it.
FSF: You got drafted in a lower round. When something like that happens, does it motivate you more? Or was it expected?
McKIRAHAN: You never know with the draft. I've never really been the best. I've always had to work a little harder. Obviously I've God-given talents, but I've always had to put a little extra work to compete with other guys or even be a little bit better. I feel like I've gotten better every year I've played. Even when I had Tommy John surgery in 2012. That set me back a year playing wise, but I feel like I grew so much more as a person physically and mentally.
FSF: What was the biggest thing you learned from that process? Patience?
McKIRAHAN: Patience was definitely something I had to work on. Tommy John will definitely teach you the virtue of patience. Just being more in tune with my body as far as nutrition, training smarter. Heavier or working harder. For baseball and pitching it's all about training smart.
FSF: Being in a Rule 5 situation, does that mean balancing the fine line of trying to do too much and just pitch normally?
McKIRAHAN: My goal every day is to keep it simple and to keep a positive attitude and work as hard as I have on my way here coming up. I try to take it one day at a time, keep it simple and obviously I have the big leagues in the back of my mind all the time, but it's not something I have added pressure or I've added on myself to that situation.
FSF: How would you describe your pitching style?
McKIRAHAN: That's a tough question. I just try to throw strikes. Throw strikes, keep it simple and pound the zone. That's the biggest thing. I wouldn't say I'm a finesse guy or specialist, but I feel like I can get lefties and righties out the same. Some guys want a lefty specialist, but I feel like I can do whatever they want me to do.
FSF: I overheard you talking about your flow. What side of the family does it come from?
McKIRAHAN: God, I don't know. My dad hasn't started going bald yet and he's 53. My mom has pretty good hair, too. In college we had to have really short hair, no facial hair. That's not me. Ever since then I let it go a little bit.
FSF: I also noticed you were trying to do an Instagram for a couple of days. Did that last at all?
McKIRAHAN: I still have it. (laughs) I think I posted one picture of my dog, but that's it.
FSF: Last thing, you're a lefty but you bat righty. How did that come about?
McKIRAHAN: I blame that on my dad. I don't know how that happened to be honest. Rickey Henderson was one of the best to throw left and hit right. I don't know. I don't know how it happened, but I do everything else left-handed. Write. I actually play tennis right-handed, too. I guess I'm just a unique guy.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
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