6. Isan Diaz, 2B/SS
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/27/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A Carolina Mudcats
2017 Stats: .222/.334/.376, 455 PA, 13 HR, 9 SB, 62/121 BB/K
Info: Born in Puerto Rico, but drafted out of high school in Massachusetts in the 2nd round in 2014, Diaz was a tool shed that has somehow ended up in his third organization now after the Miami Marlins acquired him in the Yelich deal this offseason.
Diaz has seen huge offensive seasons (2015 in the Pioneer League, where he had a 1.076 OPS, 44 XBH, and 12 SB in just 68 games) along with struggles at the plate statistically as well. All along, though, he has shown his balance of power and speed while playing up the middle in the infield.
Well-built with an admirable frame, Diaz does have a load of natural athleticism, but he also struggles with a bit of length to his swing, which is why he’s struck out in roughly 25% of his plate appearances. He’s also got a solid glove up the middle, but his range and inconsistency in his throws from distance make him a better candidate for second base, where he could be an excellent defender.
Diaz did show some tremendous resilience in 2017, reaching July 1st hitting .213/.315/.372, but coming out in the second half and hitting .266/.405/.383 in July before he was injured during August. His struggles could lead to the Miami Marlins opening him in high-A again, but he should be in AA quickly if he isn’t there to begin the season.
5. Brian Anderson, 3B
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 5/19/1993 (24)
2017 teams/levels played for: AA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, AAA New Orleans Baby Cakes, MLB Miami Marlins
2017 Stats: Minors: .275/.261/.492, 498 PA, 22 HR, 1 SB, 48/98 BB/K; Majors: .262/.337/.369, 95 PA, 10/28 BB/K
Info: Originally drafted in the 3rd round out of Arkansas in 2014 by the Miami Marlins and has been defensively used all over the field, but has definitely settled into a spot at third base, likely going to be the starter there in Miami in 2018.
Anderson’s developed his offensive game such that he has shown the ability to hit 20 or more home runs
Anderson has a strong frame, but he has the athleticism to play second base without a negative, and he’s a very instinctual base runner that is excellent at taking the extra base and can flash above-average speed, though it takes him a few steps to get there, so he’ll likely not be a base stealer.
Anderson’s developed his offensive game such that he has shown the ability to hit 20 or more home runs while playing excellent defense at the hot corner with a decent average with a line drive swing that can spray the ball with power around the field.
He’s not likely to be among the league’s best, but Anderson could be the type of player who makes a couple of All-Star games as the best player on a rough Miami Marlins team over the next few seasons.
Next: #3 and #4