Miami Marlins top ten prospects for 2020

The Miami Marlins have done a tremendous job rebuilding their farm system. They just need to stay patient.

Just last year, the Miami Marlins farm system was in shambles. Considering the team was decidedly in the basement of the National League East, and not likely to move from that spot for years to come, the future in Miami looked bleak. The return for their All Star outfield, Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich, was disappointing at best.

What a difference a year makes. With a completely revamped front office and a new analytics department, the Marlins have changed the perception of their minor leagues. The talent has improved dramatically, and while they may not have a top farm system just yet, one could argue for their inclusion in the top half of the league.

Over the past 12 months, the Marlins have made a number of shrewd trades and draft picks, restocking their minor leagues. Although some of their previously top ranked prospects have matriculated to the majors, the current grouping may well prove to make more of an impact on the Marlins’ future successes.

Let us take a look at the Miami Marlins top ten prospects for 2020, beginning with a player who headed many of these lists last year.

10. Victor Victor Mesa

Minors (A+, AA): 503 plate appearances, .235/.274/.263, seven doubles, 18 steals, 22 walks, 64 strikeouts

When the Miami Marlins signed top international prospect Victor Victor Mesa to a $5.25 million signing bonus, the hope was that he could become the future face of the franchise, a player that the community could embrace with his Cuban heritage and exciting skills.

Instead, Mesa’s first season stateside was a disappointment. He displayed virtually zero power and a minimal ability to get on base. While Mesa did make consistent contact, he did not drive the ball whatsoever, making him no threat at the plate and rendering his excellent speed useless.

The 2019 campaign was, essentially, the worst case scenario as it came to Mesa. His flat swing, while geared towards making contact, is not designed to drive the ball. Likewise, his excellent ability to put the bat on the ball did not lead to many walks, although he did nothing with the contact he made.

Defensively, Mesa is major league ready right now. He has displayed excellent range and an ability to read the ball off the bat well, with his speed translating to the outfield. Mesa’s best tool currently may be his arm, which is one of the best amongst center fielders in the game. But as great as his defense is, Mesa will need to hit in order to reach the majors.

Victor Victor Mesa has a great deal of potential. But in order for him to become the impact player that the Miami Marlins are hoping for, some adjustments may be in order.

8. Edward Cabrera

Minors (A+, AA): 96.1 innings, 9-4 record, 2.23 ERA, 0.993 WHiP, 31 walks, 116 strikeouts

The Miami Marlins have been cautious with Edward Cabrera, and for good reason.

It is possible that Cabrera has the most upside of any pitcher in the Marlins system. He has an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and can touch 100 MPH. His slider can be an effective strikeout pitch, but it can occasionally become more of a curve depending on how he throws it, but the pitch can also be very inconsistent at times. Cabrera is also developing a change that shows the potential to be at least an average offering, with the possibility of more as he continues to refine the pitch.

Given his pure stuff, the Marlins have been careful since he signed as an international free agent in 2015. Cabrera has slowly climbed the ladder, with Miami being careful not to overtax his arm. His 100.1 innings in 2018 mark the most he has thrown as a professional, as he has yet to be truly unleashed.

In a way, that cautious approach may be hindering Cabrera. His secondary pitches need to be refined, as does the command of his arsenal. If he can be more consistent with his secondary pitches, Cabrera could become a solid second starter. Otherwise, he could slot in as a late inning reliever, a future closer or eighth inning arm.

Edward Cabrera may have the most potential of any of the Miami Marlins minor league pitchers. But he still has a lot of work to reach that ceiling.

7. Trevor Rogers

Minors (A+, AA): 136.1 innings, 6-10 record, 2.90 ERA, 1.137 WHiP, 33 walks, 150 strikeouts

Even with a solid showing in the minors last season, Trevor Rogers is a long term project for the Miami Marlins.

Drafted with the 13th overall pick out of high school in 2017, Rogers was already 20 years old when he began his professional career the following season. Given his overall lack of experience, and late start in the Marlins system, he is somewhat behind where other pitchers his age would be in their development.

Yet, it is easy to see why the Marlins spent such a high draft pick on Rogers. The huge lefty has an excellent fastball that sits in the mid 90s, and has been clocked at 96 MPH. His secondary pitches need a lot of work, however, as his curve and slider tend to blend together given a lack of consistency throwing those offerings. Rogers also has a rather inconsistent changeup that could end up being the best of his secondary pitches.

That consistency is the biggest issue with Rogers. He needs time to develop, to get a better feel for his breaking and offspeed pitches in order to tap into his potential. At this point, he is a strike thrower with one pitch – a solid fastball – that he can rely upon. As he continues to progress into the upper minors, that is not going to be enough.

Trevor Rogers can be a future piece of the Miami Marlins rotation. However, he still has a lot of work to do before he can be considered a viable major league caliber pitcher.

6. Braxton Garrett

Minors (A+, AA): 106.2 innings, 6-7 record, 3.54 ERA, 1.275 WHiP, 40 walks, 119 strikeouts

If Braxton Garrett can remain healthy, the Miami Marlins have a potential top of the rotation starter. However, that is a major if.

Considered a consensus top 100 prospect prior to the 2017 campaign, Garrett essentially lost two years worth of development due to Tommy John surgery after making just four professional appearances. Prior to the procedure, he had been considered the top high school arm in the 2016 draft class, a pitcher that could move through the system quickly.

Surprisingly for a young pitcher, Garrett’s best pitch is his excellent upper 70s curve, which he can throw for strikes at any time, or use to get the opposition to chase. His fastball is notable in its own right, a lower 90s offering that could see an uptick in velocity as Garrett matures physically. He also a changeup that could become an above average pitch, giving him three solid offerings as he progresses through the Marlins system.

But it all comes back to health. Miami was reasonably cautious with Garrett last season, as he barely topped 100 innings. This coming year should be when they get to see what they truly have, as he will likely be unleashed without any possible limitations.

As long as everything goes according to plan, Braxton Garrett could be the Miami Marlins top pitching prospect by this time next year. And, it is possible that he will have made his major league debut as well.

5. Monte Harrison

Minors (A+, AAA): 251 plate appearances, .270/.351/.441, seven doubles, nine homers, 23 steals, 25 walks, 74 strikeouts

In terms of pure athleticism, Monte Harrison is an elite talent for the Miami Marlins. He just needs that to translate to the diamond.

There is no question about most of his raw tools. Harrison has tremendous power potential, making loud contact when he puts the bat on the ball. With his excellent speed, it is easy to envision a future where he is a 30-30 player, a terror at the batter’s box and on the basepaths. He has an incredible arm and excellent range in the outfield, capable of playing all three positions with aplomb.

The problem is getting Harrison to make contact consistently. He struck out in 29.5% of his at bats last season, which was actually a 12.1% improvement over 2018. Harrison has continued to tinker with his swing, and began to see those results in AAA, despite missing a large chunk of the year due to a fractured wrist and subsequent surgery.

If Monte Harrison can continue to make strides and improve his ability to make contact, he could be a future star. Otherwise, he would be yet another disappointment for the Miami Marlins.

4. Jesus Sanchez

Minors (AA, AAA): 465 plate appearances, .260/.325/.398, 14 doubles, 13 homers, five steals, 39 walks, 100 strikeouts

In one of the more interesting trades made at the deadline, the Miami Marlins landed consensus top 100 prospect Jesus Sanchez and Ryne Stanek for Trevor Richards and Nick Anderson. This could prove to be a steal for Miami.

It may not be long until he gets the chance to make an impact in Miami. He has been a consistent hitter since signing with the Rays as an international free agent, rapidly climbing the prospect ranks and flying through the minor league system.

Sanchez has a stellar swing from the left side, making consistent hard contact and showing the potential to hit for power. His approach does need some refinement as he can be too aggressive, but that has not hurt him in the upper minors as of yet. His athleticism leads to a strong showing on the basepaths, and his strong arm makes him a natural for right moving forward.

The Miami Marlins may have quite a steal with Jesus Sanchez. He may well prove to be a middle of the order bat as soon as 2020.

3. JJ Bleday

Minors (A+): 151 plate appearances, .257/.311/.379, eight doubles, three homers, 11 walks, 29 strikeouts

JJ Bleday was considered one of the best pure hitters in the collegiate ranks heading into the 2019 campaign, but was not much of a power hitter. He shattered that perception as he led NCAA Division One with 26 homers last year.

That power surge pushed Bleday up the draft board, leading to his selection by the Miami Marlins with the fourth overall pick. The Marlins were aggressive with him once he signed, sending him to the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads. However, Bleday held his own, leading to the hope that he could rocket through the system and be in Miami in short order.

Bleday has a very smooth swing and a willingness to use the entire field, hitting the ball where it’s pitched. An adjustment in his approach before Vanderbilt’s 2019 campaign led to his attacking the zone and looking to lift the ball more, which led Bleday to tap into his power. Another athletic outfielder for the Marlins, he possesses an excellent arm and solid range despite mediocre speed, profiling perfectly as a slugging right fielder.

JJ Bleday figures to be a fixture on the top 100 prospect lists heading into the coming year. If he can produce in 2020, he may not retain his prospect status for long, given the openings that the Miami Marlins have in the outfield.

2. Jazz Chisholm

Minors (AA): 458 plate appearances, .220/.321/.441, ten doubles, 21 homers, 16 steals, 52 walks, 147 strikeouts

Ignore the statistics from last year – Jazz Chisholm still has the potential to be a star at the major league level.

Chisholm was acquired in sort of an odd deal, as he was acquired in exchange for young starter Zac Gallen. Considering the Miami Marlins needs in the rotation, and that Gallen had exploded as a prospect in his own right last year, it seemed to be a strange trade.

It is easy to see why Marlins CEO Derek Jeter would be enamored with the young shortstop. His aggressive approach enhances his solid pop, although he does need to cut down on his tendency to swing and miss. When Chisholm does make contact, it is loud, as he has a knack for squaring up the ball. Defensively, he is a natural shortstop with a strong arm and excellent instincts on the diamond.

However, patience is going to need to be exercised with Chisholm. He struggled mightily in his first taste of action in AA before his trade to Miami, where his offensive game came together. It would not be a surprise to see Chisholm repeat AA, at least at the beginning of the season, to show that the strides he made over the last month or so were legitimate.

Jazz Chisholm could be the shortstop of the future for the Miami Marlins. However, despite his impressive tools, they need to exercise patience.

1. Sixto Sanchez

Minors (A+, AA): 114 innings, 8-6 record, 2.76 ERA, 1.070 WHiP, 21 walks, 103 strikeouts

Acquired as part of the package that sent J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies, Sixto Sanchez could be the ace that the Miami Marlins have been looking for since the untimely passing of Jose Fernandez.

A consensus top 30 prospect prior to the 2019 campaign, Sanchez has seemingly been on the prospect radar forever. He exploded on the scene in 2016 when he won the Gulf Coast League ERA title, and has continued to impress as he has continued to rise through the minors.

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Not only does Sanchez have top of the rotation stuff, but he has complete command of his arsenal. He has an impressive fastball that can reach triple digits, and is thrown as either a two seam or four seam offering. Both pitches have plenty of sink, as opponents typically hit the pitch into the ground if they do manage to make contact. Sanchez has displayed an ability to add or subtract velocity from his curve, and has a great feel for his changeup. All three, or four, pitches have the potential to be plus offerings at minimum, with the fastball a truly special pitch.

At this point, the biggest obstacle facing Sanchez is his health. He was shut down for a portion of 2018 with elbow inflammation, and his detractors are quick to point to his smaller frame as a potential issue. However, he has a great deal of strength, allowing him to maintain his velocity late into games and will help him remain in the rotation for years to come.

Sixto Sanchez has the potential to be the next great top of the rotation starter for the Miami Marlins. If they are going to rebuild their way back into contention, he will need to live up to that potential.