“Paging Dr. Marlowe.”
Growing up, that’s how Las Vegas Aviators outfielder Cade Marlowe imagined he’d be called into action on the job. If he didn’t get drafted out of Division II’s University of West Georgia, Marlowe planned to take the MCAT exam and prepare for a career as a doctor.
But after hitting .308 for the Savannah Bananas in 2018, then a college summer league team starting to experiment with on-field shenanigans, a Seattle Mariners scout took notice. The Mariners took Marlowe in the 20th round of the 2019 draft, and he chose big league dreams and a $5,000 signing bonus over medical school.
Years later, the Aviators (14-11) are happy he did.
“Now batting, Cade Marlowe,” has a better ring to it, anyway.
Marlowe — who played 42 games with the Mariners in 2023 and 2024 — signed a minor league deal with the Athletics in December. Since joining Las Vegas, he’s done nothing but hit as he tries to work his way back onto a major league roster. Marlowe leads the Aviators in batting average (.347) and slugging percentage (.583).
“I feel good at the plate,” Marlowe said. “I’m just focusing on my rhythm and timing, keeping it as simple as I can. Just see the ball, hit the ball.”
He’s also shown off his speed, as his five steals are second on the team to fellow outfielder Henry Bolte.
Marlowe’s full range of talent was on display in the Aviators’ 10-5 win over the Reno Aces on April 16. He filled the box score, going 2-for-5 with a triple, three RBIs and a stolen base. In Las Vegas’ 19-9 victory over the Salt Lake Bees Friday night, Marlowe went 3-for-5 and scored twice.
“His professionalism, his athleticism and then what he’s doing with the bat — he’s been really, really impressive,” Aviators manager Fran Riordan said. “The things he’s able to do, both offensively and defensively, make us a much better baseball team.”
Riordan marveled at Marlowe’s drive to persevere, which carried him from tiny Tiftarea Academy in Georgia (his graduating class: 55 students) to the big leagues. Now he’s motivated to show he can return, this time for the Athletics.
Battling tough odds has never stopped Marlowe.
He had just one Division I offer, from William & Mary, before he committed to West Georgia, which hadn’t sent a player to MLB since 1986. In 2018, he joined the Bananas, taking part in wacky stunts like playing in a kilt (“Not fun to slide in,” Marlowe joked) while leading Savannah in home runs and steals.
Medical school was still a serious possibility then. Marlowe graduated magna cum laude with a degree in pre-med biology. His parents encouraged him to go into medicine, and it meshed with his passions for math and science.
But when he got the chance to play baseball professionally, the decision was a no-brainer.
“I took the opportunity, and I’m glad I did,” Marlowe said.
Barnett honored, Nett debuts
Mason Barnett, whom MLB Pipeline ranks as the A’s No. 17 prospect, was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Barnett stymied Salt Lake in the Aviators’ 4-0 win on Saturday, pitching five shutout innings, striking out seven and giving up just one hit in a no-decision.
This season, Barnett is 2-0 with a 2.29 ERA for Las Vegas, and didn’t give up a run in two relief innings for the Athletics during a brief call-up earlier this month.
A’s No. 6 prospect Braden Nett fired 3⅔ scoreless innings relieving Barnett on Saturday after being activated from the injured list earlier that day. The righty earned the win in his Triple-A debut, striking out five Bees and reaching 98.8 mph.
Las Vegas got on the board that night in the seventh inning when catcher Bryan Lavastida stole home — the turning point in the Aviators win.
“I was timing (the catcher) up before, seeing him the whole game,” Lavastida said after his first-ever steal of home. “I just thought to myself, if I get a good opportunity … I’ll take my chances.”
Las Vegas split the series with Salt Lake, which included a 19-9 slugfest win Friday. The 19 runs were the most the Aviators have scored since Aug. 4, 2024, when they beat Albuquerque 21-5.
Bolte heating up
The speedy Bolte (A’s No. 5 prospect) has been on a tear for the Aviators lately.
He’s batting .300 in his last 12 games, and hit three of his team-leading seven homers in last week’s series against the Bees. Riordan said Bolte has taken a more relaxed approach in his at-bats recently, trusting in his talent.
Bolte is also second in the PCL with 11 steals, and has yet to be thrown out.
“One of my favorite things when I’m managing games is watching him run the bases,” Riordan said. “The way he digs up earth, and the way he moves — it’s a lot of fun to watch.”
