RADIO
The Miami Marlins will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for sources of cheap production. It might also take older players longer to rebound from a long layoff meaning we could see more injuries and more roster moves. We will also see expanded rosters, at least in the early going.
One important question to ask is: How will a long layoff affect prospects? One has to assume the more advanced prospects prior to the work stoppage will be at an advantage, while the more “toolsy but raw” type could be hurt with the lack of repetition and in-game action; throwing or hitting in simulated environments just doesn’t match up to the real thing. Many prospects will have to work jobs during the pandemic just to make ends meet, while players who signed for large bonuses will have an advantage. Other prospects that lack strong discipline and commitment to their craft could struggle to stay in shape.
We won’t really know what the layoff impact will have on baseball in general until things start ramping up. But we do know that a strong prospect pool will continue to be an important element for a successful baseball franchise. We're looking at the Top 10 (or more) dynasty prospects in each organization with an eye to discovering which organizations are best positioned to succeed with their player development when games resume. Make sure to check out all of our prospect content, including Top 50 for 2020 and Top 250 for Dynasty Leagues.
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Quick Synopsis
The Marlins system has some very intriguing prospects but it also has one of the largest collections of boom-or-bust prospects around — with both the pitchers and the hitters.
1. Sixto Sanchez, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 24
2020 Prospect Rank: 31
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
Sanchez shows three above-average offerings, including a heater that can tickle triple digits. He’s also shown above-average control and the ability to induce a high number of ground ball outs. The downside to Sanchez is that he’s a short right-handed pitcher who has surpassed 100 innings just once in his career and has a history of elbow issues. The durability concerns are real and I’m not sure Sanchez will consistently throw enough innings to be a true top-shelf starter but the skill is there.
2. J.J. Bleday, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 32
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Bleday was a very good hitting college outfielder whose power exploded in his final season and led to an almost $7 million dollar payday as the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft. The young hitter has sacrificed some of his contact skill to produce the extra power and has some increased swing-and-miss to his game. It will be interesting to see if the Marlins, a modest development system, can help Bleday balance the two abilities and find a little more of his hitting ability while maintaining the 20-30 home run power potential.
3. Jazz Chisholm, SS
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 70
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2021
The Marlins made a curious decision in sending promising young MLB pitcher Zac Gallen (with six years of control) to Arizona for the toolsy Chisholm. This young shortstop has power to spare and could one day hit 30 home runs in the Majors but he also has significant swing-and-miss to his game and a high bust rate. If the Marlins can convince Chisholm to stop swinging from his heels and employ a more patient approach, they could have a 20-20 (HR-SB) or better player with strong defensive skills at shortstop.
4. Edward Cabrera, RHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 85
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
A big, strong pitcher, Cabrera has the makings of three average-or-better offerings including a fastball that can hit triple digits. He’s also shown the ability to induce a healthy number of ground balls which helps him keep the ball in the park. Cabrera’s control is currently ahead of his command but there is no reason why it can’t develop into an average or better skill. Although he has a big, strong frame, he has only thrown 100 innings once so he has yet to prove his durability.
5. Braxton Garrett, LHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 95
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
The seventh-overall selection in the 2016 draft, Garrett had thrown just 15.1 pro innings prior to 2019 thanks to Tommy John surgery. Back on the fast track, the 22-year-old hurler flashes three above-average offerings and the ability to induce a high number of ground-ball outs. Garrett’s command and control were understandably inconsistent in his return so that’s something to watch. It’s also curious that the Marlins let Garrett throw more than 100 innings after the long layoff.
6. Trevor Rogers, LHP
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 108
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
Rogers had a promising 2019 season that saw the young hurler reach Double-A at the age of 21. He has a solid fastball-changeup combo and his recently-added cutter shows potential as a third offering. Rogers is big and strong but his fastball works more in the 93-94 mph range so he’s not a fireballer. He shows above-average control for his age. Rogers looks like a reliable No. 4 starter who can chew up innings.
7. Jesus Sanchez, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 118
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
The Marlins bought low on Sanchez during a 2019 trade with the Rays. The 22-year-old outfielder spent most of 2019 in Double-A but reached Triple-A towards the end of the year. He’s a natural hitter with the ability to barrel the ball with ease and has hit more than .300 on multiple occasions but he’s also too aggressive at times. He hits too many balls on the ground and needs to make tweaks to his swing to induce more fly balls as he has just average speed but lots of raw power looking to be unlocked.
8. Monte Harrison, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 164
2020 LEVEL: AAA
MLB ETA: 2020
As we’ve seen with Jazz Chisholm above, the Marlins love their toolsy offensive prospects. Harrison is another player with 20-20 (HR-SB) potential but he’s also shown a rudimentary approach at the plate which leads to massive swing-and-miss numbers. Harrison was less aggressive in 2019 and showed some improvements as a hitter but then he got hurt. If those changes are here to stay then Harrison may have a future as a big-league regular.
9. Lewin Diaz, 1B
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 183
2020 LEVEL: AA
MLB ETA: 2021
A top international target from back in 2013, Diaz struggled to get on track as a professional until 2019. Last year, he was in the midst of a breakout season when the Marlins acquired him for Sergio Romo. The Marlins are clearly buying high on Diaz and believe in the breakout — and the Twins will no doubt hope they don’t have another David Ortiz situation on their hands. Diaz slugged 27 home runs in 2019 over three levels and two organizations, and the power is legit. He’s struggled with his focus in the past and gets too aggressive. If he has truly mastered those issues, he has everyday potential as a slugging first baseman.
10. Kameron Misner, OF
Dynasty Prospect Rank: 205
2020 LEVEL: A+
MLB ETA: 2022
Misner is another boom-or-bust player in the Marlins system that’s loaded with tools. But he just hasn’t been able to consistently tap into his potential — in college or during his brief pro career. He has some of the best raw power in the system but it has yet to show consistently in games. He’s also struck out quite a bit in his junior year of college although it was a respectable 22% in A-ball. He also has surprising speed for his size and could steal 15+ bases before slowing down.
