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Miami Marlins 2021 Position Preview: Middle Infield Mash-Up

By Sean Millerick

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jazz Chisholm #70 of the Miami Marlins and Miguel Rojas #19 celebrate defeating the Atlanta Braves 8-0 at Truist Park on September 8, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jazz Chisholm #70 of the Miami Marlins and Miguel Rojas #19 celebrate defeating the Atlanta Braves 8-0 at Truist Park on September 8, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Jazz Chisholm, Miami Marlins  Pos: SS/2B  2020 Stats:  .161, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 SB

Projected Starter: ¯_(ツ)_/¯    Fantasy Value: Dynasty Only       Chance To Make Team: 25%.  

Let me tell you the story of a highly regarded, MLB Top 100, Miami Marlins prospect at shortstop.

This prospect had all manner of rave reviews from scouts. An impressive minor league stat line heading into their MLB debut season. Only to put up a putrid performance at the plate, batting below the Mendoza line, with an .OBP below .250 to boot.

That Miami Marlins prospect’s name? Alex Gonzalez.

Yep, the stat lines are almost identical, in an almost equal sample size (25 games for Gonzo, 21 for Jazz) for the two Marlins shortstops in their debut seasons. On the upside, Chisholm was actually marginally better- an extra ten points of average, along with one extra dinger and those two steals. On the downside, Gonzalez was never what you would call a force at the plate, retiring as .245 hitter with only one above .270 season to his credit.

Of course, the Marlins would probably have to be thrilled if Chisholm developed into that kind of reliable defender at the keystone position. However, Chisholm is a 5-tool, offensive leaning prospect. Miami will settle for Chisholm becoming Gold Glove caliber, but they traded Zac Gallen for him in the belief his career will be Hanley Ramirez light, not Alex Gonzalez plus.

The Marlins would be far better served keeping Chisholm in the minors for a full season, with that 2020 call-up being more about desperation than anything else. Last season proved both his potential, and a need for as many at bats as possible. That doesn’t mean he can’t win the job in camp, but he’s going to need to win it by a mile. Miami won’t burn service time on him to be a bench piece, at least not before June.

For those of you that are Chisholm truthers, Gonzalez’s best season was his second.  For the rest of you, be prepared to see him this summer.

Chisholm Best Case:  .270, flirts with a 20/20 season as a starter….somewhere on diamond

Chisholm Worst Case: Doesn’t get a call-up, and regresses at AAA. Hitting below .270 with minimal pop would have to raise flags for Miami going forward in the rebuild.

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