MLB.COM has released their list of Top 20 Marlins prospects, I feel it's the best list so far

 

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/3/7/5480228/miami-marlins-top-20-prospects-for-2014?utm_source=minorleagueball&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom

 

 

1) Andrew Heaney, LHP, Grade A-: Borderline B+. Is it just me, or does this guy not get enough attention? He’s one of the top pitching prospects in baseball with three quality pitches and a great performance record. He’s not going to be a superstar but I would be surprised if he doesn’t have a long and successful career.

 

2) Colin Moran, 3B, Grade B+: Good things: disciplined approach, track record in college at North Carolina, baseball bloodlines as B.J. Surhoff’s nephew and Brian Moran’s brother, should hit for average with sound OBP. Questions: how much home run power? And will his glovework be more than average? The arm is sound but his range is just average, which will be fine if he hits enough.

 

3) Justin Nicolino, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. His component ratios slipped last year with a reduced strikeout rate in Low-A and Double-A, and his projection is as more of mid-rotation guy than an ace. His stock is down a little although I think that the bigger problem is that I overrated him as a B+ last year when he should have been a straight B. I still like him more than I perhaps should; we’ll see how he adapts this year.

4) Brian Flynn, LHP, Grade B-. Huge 6-8 lefty led Pacific Coast League in ERA due to improved slider and changeup to go with 88-95 MPH fastball. He got hit hard in 18 big league innings due to command troubles which hadn’t bothered him during the minor league season, but he will get more chances.Relief work is fallback option but he could become a solid fourth starter.

5) Adam Conley, LHP, Grade B-: Successful season in Double-A (3.25, 129/37 K/BB in 139 innings) on strength of low-90s fastball, strong change, improving slider, and deceptive delivery. Some scouts still see him as a reliever down the line but he’s done enough to merit consideration as a fourth starter.

 

6) Anthony DeSclafani, RHP, Grade B-: Control-oriented inning-eater type, posted 115/33 K/BB in 129 innings between High-A and Double-A, using 90-95 MPH fastball, good slider and occasional curves and changeups. Like Flynn, Conley, and Nicolino, he projects as a competent starting pitcher.

 

7) Jake Marisnick, OF, Grade B-: Borderline C+. I respect Marisnick’s tools and he’s developed into a valuable defensive outfielder, but his over-aggressive offensive approach cuts into his production. Jeff Francoeur with less power but better defense and speed? That’s the outcome if he doesn’t get a better grasp of the strike zone.

8) Avery Romero, 2B, Grade C+: Borderline B-.Hit .297/.357/.411 in the New York-Penn League, which was quite good for the context, with improving defense at second base. More power may come in the future. Turns 21 in May, so he’s older than a typical 2012 high school draftee (third round, St. Augustine, FL). Could get into the B-range once we see him in full-season ball.

 

9) Jose Urena, RHP, Grade C+: Borderline B-. Another potential mid-rotation starter, posted 3.73 ERA with 107/29 K/BB in 150 innings in High-A. Good control of fastball/changeup combo, breaking stuff still under development.

10) Nick Wittgren, RHP, Grade C+: Exceptional performance record for this relief prospect, 0.77 ERA with 63/10 K/BB in 58 innings, just 42 hits, 26 saves between High-A and Double-A. Punctuated this with 0.66 ERA and 19/2 K/BB in 14 innings in Arizona Fall League. Throws reasonably hard and very deceptive. Ninth-round pick out of Purdue in 2012 continues to exceed expectations. I think he could close eventually.

 

11) Arquimedes Caminero, RHP, Grade C+: Gets an 80 for his name alone, but he’s got plenty of stuff and was successful in minors and big league trial (3.48 , 69/21 K/BB in 54 innings in Double-A/Triple-A, 2.77 ERA with 12/3 K/BB in 13 innings for Marlins.) Already 26 and ready to help in bullpen now.

 

12) J.T. Realmuto, C, Grade C+: Sound defender should have long career based on his glove, but will be relegated to reserve role unless he shows more with the bat. Hit just .239/.310/.353 in Double-A and hasn’t hit well since leaving Greensboro bandbox in ’11.

 

13) Austin Barnes, C-2B, Grade C+: With the giant pitching staffs and tiny benches of modern rosters, someone like Barnes looks valuable: he’s competent as both an infielder and a catcher and he’s got some contact hitting skills as well as good plate discipline. Lacks power but makes contact and will takea walk.

 

14) Jesus Solorzano, OF, Grade C+: Could rank as high as ninth due to broad tool base, hit .285/.325/.450 with 15 homers and 33 steals in Low-A. However, his plate discipline is substandard (24 walks, 111 strikeouts) and it remains to be seen if he can handle advanced pitching. Already 23 so the clock is ticking.

 

15) Sam Dyson, RHP, Grade C+: Power sinker stands out with this one. Posted 2.67 ERA with 62/36 K/BB in 111 innings between three levels, with 2.26 GO/AO and one homer allowed, but was hit hard in 11 big league innings. Could be inning-eating starter or a useful relief arm if the command is ther.

 

16) Colby Suggs, RHP, Grade C+: University of Arkansas product provides another power relief arm, posted 3.29 ERA with 38/18 K/BB in 27 innings in pro debut at three levels. Main issue here will be control but fastball/curve combination can be overpowering.

 

17) Jarlin Garcia, LHP, Grade C+: Multiple sources praising this guy as breakthrough candidate, posted 3.10 ERA with 74/18 K/BB in 70 innings in New York-Penn League. Smooth delivery, low-90s fastball and a good curve, just turned 21. Mid-rotation potential if it comes together in full-season ball.

 

18) Grant Dayton, LHP, Grade C+: Borderline C. This guy always gets people out and did it again in Double-A, 2.37 ERA with 56/12 K/BB in 38 innings. Low-90s fastball with a breaking ball and changeup, always posts excellent strikeout rates but seldom mentioned as a prospect despite success record and workable stuff.

19) Trevor Williams, RHP, Grade C: Arizona State product is another groundballer, posted 2.38 ERA with 24/8 K/BB in 34 innings in pro debut with 2.24 GO/AO. Strikeout rates were low in college but will grounders compensate?

 

20) Ryan Newell, RHP, Grade C: Sleeper prospect dominated New York-Penn League, 2.09 ERA with 75/21 K/BB, 2.40 GO/AO in 82 innings just 60 hits allowed, fastball clocked as high as 95. Seventh round pick in 2012 from Shorter University in Georgia. We need to see him at higher levels but he made progress last year

 

OTHERS: Michael Brady, RHP; Austin Brice, RHP; Austin Dean, OF; Domingo German, RHP; Tyler Higgins, RHP; Mason Hope, RHP; Kyle Jensen, OF; Brent Keys, OF; Javier Lopez, SS; Edgar Olmos, LHP; J.T. Riddle, INF; Angel Sanchez, RHP; Sean Townsley, LHP

I think #7 is way low for Marisnick and it's way too soon to sour on him. The Jeff Francoeur comparison is totally cruel.

 

Other than that it's a decent list for sure. A lot of new blood.

I would put Conley over Flynn. Hoping Barnes can help out by 2015. Any offense from a catcher is nice.

 

No Mark Canha?

I think #7 is way low for Marisnick and it's way too soon to sour on him. The Jeff Francoeur comparison is totally cruel.

 

Other than that it's a decent list for sure. A lot of new blood.

 

I would put him over Desclafani and probably Flynn, but no higher than five. Got a bad feeling about him.

I would put him over Desclafani and probably Flynn, but no higher than five. Got a bad feeling about him.

He's arguably just as risky a prospect as Moran, except he has a much higher ceiling IMO. Colin is limited to being a bat-only guy, who even has power questions, compared to Jake's 5-tool potential.

He's arguably just as risky a prospect as Moran, except he has a much higher ceiling IMO. Colin is limited to being a bat-only guy, who even has power questions, compared to Jake's 5-tool potential.

 

Really? Moran is considered safe, not risky. Polished bat with no less power than Jake. Jake profiles as a good defender but Moran's bat has more value.

 

I'd count on Moran to hit 20 homers and play decent defense before Jake being a plus hitter.

Really? Moran is considered safe, not risky. Polished bat with no less power than Jake. Jake profiles as a good defender but Moran's bat has more value.

 

I'd count on Moran to hit 20 homers and play decent defense before Jake being a plus hitter.

Moran's power is not equal to Marisnick's. Moran is expected to be a high floor, low ceiling guy because as you said, he's a polished advanced bat, but with limited power, average D, and no speed. His potential is very limited.

 

Marisnick could bomb, but he also has the tools to be a star if he can make consistent contact and improve his approach. I'll take Marisnick all day.

Moran's power is not equal to Marisnick's. Moran is expected to be a high floor, low ceiling guy because as you said, he's a polished advanced bat, but with limited power, average D, and no speed. His potential is very limited.

 

Marisnick could bomb, but he also has the tools to be a star if he can make consistent contact and improve his approach. I'll take Marisnick all day.

 

I don't know that he has no potential. He could add some weight to his frame and he's 21.

 

I hope you're right and Marisnick turns out to be good.

I don't know that he has no potential. He could add some weight to his frame and he's 21.

 

I hope you're right and Marisnick turns out to be good.

 

You're Absolutely right, Moran could surprise everyone and become a 20-30 HR hitter one day. But based on his past, his swing, etc it's just not likely.

You're Absolutely right, Moran could surprise everyone and become a 20-30 HR hitter one day. But based on his past, his swing, etc it's just not likely.

 

I think 17-23 is reasonable at some point if he progresses some. I'd never project 25 or more.

I think 17-23 is reasonable at some point if he progresses some. I'd never project 25 or more.

 

I think that's a fair projection in his prime.

I think people overlook Marisnick's power potential. It's well-documented. The issue is making contact.

No Mark Canha?

I asked Sickels about that too, but granted he's older now and for a corner IF he hasn't shown plus power since Greensboro. Doesn't mean he might not be useful, but *top prospect* probably not. I still like his chances to contribute somewhere down the line.

 

Our bullpen seems like it's set for years. Even if they lose Cishek & Dunn, they have so many arms in waiting.

I asked Sickels about that oo, but granted he's older now and for a corner IF he hasn't shown plus power since Greensboro. Doesn't mean he might not be useful but *top prospect* probably not. I still like him to contribute somewhere down the line.

 

Im thinking he could still crack the top 20. Only first baseman in the system who can hit.