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Miami Marlins: Top 10 rookie-eligible prospects for 2018

By Benjamin Chase

MIAMI, FL - JULY 29: Miami Marlins hats and gloves sit on the dugout steps during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on July 29, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JULY 29: Miami Marlins hats and gloves sit on the dugout steps during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on July 29, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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10. Nick Neidert, RHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/20/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Modesto Nuts, AA Arkansas Travelers
2017 Stats: 25 GS, 127 2/3 IP, 3.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 4.2% BB, 23.2% K

Info: The Mariners drafted Neidert out of high school in Georgia in the 2nd round of the 2015 draft. He was noted for his hard fastball in high school, but had some elbow concerns early in his career, and he’s really not seen a lot of growth in velocity in the pitch over his minor leagues.

Neidert doesn’t need the premium velocity to succeed

Neidert doesn’t need the premium velocity to succeed, however. He works well with plus control and tremendous mound presence to get hitters off balance and leave them swinging weakly, and missing plenty for a guy without monster velocity.

Neidert pounds the zone with a fastball that worked 91-93 and can touch 95-96 and looks harder due to his ability to spot the ball well and his extension to the plate. He works with a pair of above-average off speeds in his change and slider and can mix in a curve that’s more of a “show” pitch, but he locates it and keeps batters off (though some scouts believe his curve is truly just him varying the velocity on his slider).

The Marlins will likely put Neidert in AAA, and while he’s not a future ace, he’s the type of smart arm with excellent control that could have a long career as a 3/4 starter in the majors, possibly starting as soon as the second half of 2018.

9. Braxton Garrett, LHP

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/5/1997 (20)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Greensboro Grasshoppers
2017 Stats: 4 GS, 15 1/3 IP, 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 9.2% BB, 24.6% K

Info: The Miami Marlins have simply not had good luck with taking high school pitchers the last few seasons, but they continue to do so with their first pick now the last three years in a row. They selected Garrett with the 7th overall selection in the 2016 draft out of high school in Alabama.

After the Marlins were cautious with Garrett in his draft season, they bumped him all the way up to low-A, where he made just a handful of appearances before his elbow balked and he needed Tommy John surgery, likely sidelining him for all of the 2018 season.

When healthy, Garrett works with a fastball that works in the low-90s, but that he can both control and manipulate. His best pitch is a double-plus curve that has high spin and good depth both, a rare combination. He showed good late movement low in the zone on his change as well, and it could become a third above-average pitch for him.

While he doesn’t rely on his velocity like 2015 top draftee Tyler Kolek, having surgery leave his future in risk, certainly.

Next: #7 and #8

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