The Marlins have continued to focus on building the minor league system and it shows in the rankings below. After making a playoff run last season, it is disappointing to not be trading talent for another run, but the deadline moves they did make should pay dividends going forward for years to come. Trading Adam Duvall for a catcher who was having a career year in the minor leagues, Alex Jackson, is a quality depth move and it opens a spot in the outfield for the younger talent to showcase. Trading John Curtiss to the Brewers for Payton Henry was an under-the-radar type move that continues to build depth in one of the shallowest positions in the organization. Trading Yimi Garcia to the Astros for Austin Pruitt and Bryan De La Cruz provided a little insight that the Marlins feel that the top outfield bats aren’t ready to be called up or they aren’t ready to start the clock.
Looking at the minor league stats for De La Cruz, he is a career .276 hitter with a .346 OBP with a track record of increasing power production year over year. The biggest move of all was the trading of Starling Marte for struggling top pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo. This is the type of gamble that you can afford to take when the minor league system is full of quality prospects. The Marlins fully believe that they can work their magic and help Luzardo regain his former potential, and if that happens, watch out. The Marlins will be adding a lefty to the top of the rotation.
For the purposes of the mid-season update, I have left off any names that have received MLB playing time and project to not be prospect eligible next season. This list includes names such as Jazz Chisholm, Jesus Sanchez, Lewin Diaz, Braxton Garrett, Nick Neidert, Alex Jackson, Monte Harrison, Zach Thompson, Bryan De La Cruz, Jordan Holloway, Zach Pop, Anthony Bender, and Paul Campbell to name a few. If there is anyone you think I missed please reach out on Twitter @stoffer81 or comment below. As always, I look forward to talking Marlins prospects!
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster
Tier 1
1. Max Meyer, RHP (January rank #4)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Jumping up 3 spots was helped by the Sixto injury and the Jazz promotion, but Meyer has so far proven he is a top of the rotation prospect. His slider is pretty good!
Max Meyer just stole this mans soul on a slider pic.twitter.com/YZ1XmmSwkZ
— Trevor Hooth (@HoothTrevor) May 19, 2021
2. Sixto Sanchez, RHP (January rank #1)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Injuries are part of the game and we wish Sanchez a speedy recovery and look forward to him dominating once again but the talent is still very much present.
3. Edward Cabrera, RHP (January rank #5)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Making 4 different stops this season from A, to AA, to AAA, to the majors (just promoted and scheduled to make his MLB debut August 25) and dominating at each level leaves little room to doubt that he has the stuff to be a top of the rotation starter. Check out this tweet where he averaged two strikeouts per inning.
Edward Cabrera matched a season high with 12 K’s and allowed two hits over six innings in a dominant outing for the @JaxShrimp. pic.twitter.com/gebL9KaXrC
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 13, 2021
Tier 2
4. Kahlil Watson, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Our 5th ranked prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft and Miami was able to select him at 16th due to questions surrounding if he will sign or honor his commitment to play college ball.
“In the mix to go Number One Overall” “Steal Of The Draft”
Draft expert, Jim Callis, thoughts on Kahlil Watson. pic.twitter.com/f2BHWKNtCl
— Tyler Wilson (@KingOfBuffalo) July 12, 2021
5. Jake Eder, LHP (January rank #47)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
We can all agree that I had him too low to begin the season but he has done nothing but perform like an ace this season, even garnering a roster spot to the futures game.
3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K
Jake Eder’s ERA is down to *squints* 1.77! pic.twitter.com/8gAwlggF0C
— Pensacola Blue Wahoos (@BlueWahoosBBall) August 14, 2021
6. Eury Perez, RHP (January rank #46)
Age: 18
Current Level: High-A
Stop me if you heard this before, but here’s another Marlins starting pitcher that profiles to be a top-of-the-rotation starter! Check out this awesome recap from fellow Prospects1500 writer Bailey Srebnik.
Congrats to @Eury_Perez9 on his promotion to the @BeloitSnappers! Here is footage from his penultimate @GoHammerheads outing; simply dominant: pic.twitter.com/DbKrv2eSSO
— Bailey Srebnik (@xwOBAiley) August 16, 2021
7. JJ Bleday, OF (January rank #3)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
Legit power and has a knack for making the big hits but fell on the list because of the low batting average/OBP/SLUG and the unreal amount of top pitching prospects Miami possesses.
8. Peyton Burdick, OF (January rank #10)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Nicknamed Baby Trout, Burdick has been living up to his name this season and is an emerging threat for the majors assuming he can lift his average up but the power is legit and the speed plays.
Tier 3
9. Joe Mack, C (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Marlins got another steal in the Draft by selecting the best two-way catcher in the draft at pick number 31.
10. Dax Fulton, LHP (January rank #14)
Age: 19
Current Level: High-A
Have been a few ups and downs this season for Fulton but he is projecting to be another quality pitching prospect for the Marlins.
11. Jose Salas, SS (January rank #22)
Age: 18
Current Level: Low-A
First taste of professional baseball and he is hitting .367 with a .468 OBP!!!
Jose Salas may have the highest upside of any hitter in the Marlins’s system and is becoming one of my favorite prospects. Honestly he may be the second best prospect to come out of that 2019 international class just behind J. Dominguez, and the margin between the two isn’t huge
— Hunt (@HuntTheMinor) August 6, 2021
12. Kameron Misner, OF (January rank #9)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Started the year slowly but has proven that he can steal bases effectively while playing solid CF defense.
13. Zach McCambley, RHP (January rank #25)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Needs to keep the ball in the ballpark but yet another top pitching prospect to add to the list for the Marlins.
14. Griffin Conine, OF (January rank #16)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Mr. Marlin’s son has the boomstick, 34 home runs in 346 at-bats!
The second of three homers in the @BlueWahoosBBall 1st inning belonged to Griffin Conine.@Griffin_Co9 is the first #Marlins minor leaguer to hit 30 homers in a season since Dallas McPherson and Giancarlo Stanton each did so in 2008. pic.twitter.com/lEG7VuRMXK
— Fish On The Farm (@marlinsminors) August 11, 2021
15. Connor Scott, OF (January rank #13)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
Little regression in the rankings as Scott has been consistent to his former years, hoping for more improvement as the season winds down.
16. Jerar Encarnacion, OF (January rank #15)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
Little regression as his batting average has slipped and the power came with it, still has the tools to make me regret the one spot fall.
17. Cody Morissette, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Selection number 59 in the 2021 MLB Draft, and many scouts had him ranked as one of the top college bats and infielders.
18. Victor Mesa Jr., OF (January rank #24)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
Displaying more power than he did in 2019 but sacrificing the average will look for him to make some progress in the last half of the season.
19. Nasim Nunez, SS (January rank #19)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
With 33 steals and .366 OBP in 189 at bats, he is having a career year and looking like he may have the tools to be a leadoff hitter.
20. Kyle Nicolas, RHP (January rank #23)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Yet another top pitching prospect for the Marlins, he has shown glimpses of ace stuff but needs to focus on consistency.
21. Jose Devers, SS (January rank #17)
Age: 21
Current Level: MLB (IL)
Left Devers on my list because he is on the 60-day IL and looks like he will keep his prospect status.
22. Yiddi Cappe, SS (January rank #21)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DSL)
Small sample size in the Dominican Summer League, look for more at-bats next season but the talent is evident.
Tier 4
23. Payton Henry, C (January rank #16 Brewers)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Acquired at the trade deadline, looks to have the tools to be a solid contributor but the power needs to return.
24. Ian Lewis, SS (January rank #49)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Top Bahamian prospect in 2019 has displayed his power and speed and the rest of the game will follow.
25. Jorge Guzman, RHP (January rank #20)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA
Late start to the season but the strikeout ratios are what you like to see.
26. Luis Palacios, LHP (January rank #45)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
4 minor league seasons and his career WHIP is lower than 1.00. This season he is at 1.14 in 37 innings and has the makings of a potential front-line starter.
27. George Soriano, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
This season he has taken the next step to be considered a top pitching prospect for the Marlins.
28. Tanner Allen, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A
With the 118th overall selection, the Marlins selected toolsy OF Allen and time will tell if they got a steal but banking on his quick and compact left-handed stroke more than his resume.
Tanner Allen’s first professional hit — a triple! @GoHammerheads #Marlins
— David Marino (@ElectricEwe) August 10, 2021
29. Thomas Jones, OF (January rank #38)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Another year of improvement for Jones in OBP, while keeping those important steals.
30. Bryson Brigman, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
Doesn’t run as much as he did in the early stages of his career but he has been able to get on base and increase his SLG.
31. Jordan McCants, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Marlins 3rd round selection lacks the power profile but more than makes up for it with his speed and contact ability.
32. Brian Miller, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA
His MLB batting average is .333 granted that was in only 3 AB’s, he may contribute as the season goes on but speed is his best asset.
Tier 5
33. Evan Fitterer, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Looks to have the makings of a back of the rotation starter but that projection could change quickly if he can limit the walks and hits.
34. Luis Vizcaino, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Something special is brewing with Vizcaino, solid ERA, WHIP, and K/9 numbers.
35. Troy Johnston, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A
2021 has been good for Johnston, hitting .293 with a .393 OBP while displaying good power (SLG .470). If he closes out the year strong, he will be moving up the list.
Troy Johnston (@2297Troy) with his 63rd RBI of the season. Put the @BeloitSnappers up early. This hit also brought his August batting average up to .367.
Johnston is second to only Griffin Conine (76) in RBIs within the #Marlins minor league ranks this year. pic.twitter.com/n5UaAYURZV
— Fish On The Farm (@marlinsminors) August 15, 2021
36. Victor Victor Mesa, OF (January rank #29)
Age: 25
Current Level: High-A
Started the year in AA but was demoted to but after the demotion, he may have found his power stroke smacking 3 homers in 99 at-bats.
37. J.D. Orr, OF (January rank #39)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Orr is not a power hitter, but he gets on base at a great clip and swipes bases, although he could be more efficient in that department.
38. Will Stewart, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Durable lefty back of the rotation arm who has increased his K/9 from the last minor league season.
39. Nick Fortes, C (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Not a big power bat but solid OBP for a catcher and with the lack of catching depth could find himself garnering playing time in the future.
40. Bubba Hollins, 3B (January – unranked)
Age: 25
Current Level: High-A
Moving around between AA and High-A this year Hollins has done a great job of getting on base and hitting with power, he is a bit old for the competition.
41. Yeremin Lara, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A
Doesn’t have the prototypical size but that doesn’t seem to matter to the stat lines as he is productive as a Starter and a reliever.
42. M.D. Johnson, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A
Johnson has been a reliable starting option this year, even improving his counting stats with a promotion to High-A.
43. Diowill Burgos, OF (January rank #41)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Began the season in Low-A, Burgos has the physical tools to be a special player but has not put it together this season so far.
44. Breidy Encarnacion, RHP (January rank #42)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Has the size scouts look for but has struggled with walks this season inflating his WHIP, but it is a small sample size (14.1 IP)
45. Osiris Johnson, SS (January rank #44)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
He has the power stroke down, but he needs to find more ways to get on base.
Osiris Johnson unlocking the clutch gene once again. 2-RBI 1B in the bottom of the 9th to tie it 3-3. #Marlins pic.twitter.com/uxgTP8ffU4
— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) June 9, 2021
46. Dalvy Rosario, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Still looking for him to increase that OBP to maximize his base stealing efficiency but the talent is there but he needs to put it all together.
47. Yelinson Pena, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 20
Current Level: Rookie (FCL)
Has proven in parts of 3 minor league seasons he can get on base but he may be developing into a complete player. Keep your eye on him.
48. Antonio Velez, LHP (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Tossing 77 innings and producing a sub-1.00 WHIP is great for anyone let alone a lefty in getting his first taste of pro ball, curious to see how he finishes the year.
49. Matt Givin, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: Low-A
Worth noting his WHIP has increased each minor league season but so has his K/9.
50. Will Banfield, C (January rank #34)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A
His prospect stock keeps falling, even in a system that lacks catching depth but that tends to happen when you hit .180 in 266 at-bats.
Stoffer is an avid baseball fan who grew up in the heart of Braves country, but felt he never really fit in until the Marlins came along and then it was game over. He has been playing in deep dynasty keeper leagues for 20+ years and only plays in leagues where there is a prospect component. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida, which is the perfect place for him because it's home to the Jumbo Shrimp, the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate.
Where would Bryan De La Cruz, Monte Harrison and the others be if you ranked them based on their current status (as still being prospects)?
Why is Harrison no longer on prospect lists? He’s still prospect eligible and had a good season last year. Why would we go from
being a top 150 overall prospect to a guy who can’t make the Marlins top 50?
Apologies Jarrett, missed your earlier comment. BDLC would have slotting in the mid to high teens. As far as Monte Harrison, he would have ranged in the Tier 4 section. Harrison is still prospect eligible but I was attempting to leave off anyone who had MLB experience from the rankings to help fantasy owners dig deeper. At 26 years old his time is fading to get a regular MLB shot and while he has the talent to be a 5-tool contributor he really needs help with his hit tool to capitalize.