The Marlins' system is in a much better spot than it was a year ago, and that's in large part due to pitching success at High A Jupiter, where Braxton Garrett, Edward Cabrera, and Trevor Rogers all took big steps forward. The acquisitions of Sixto Sanchez, Lewin Diaz, Jesus Sanchez, and Jazz Chisholm, plus the drafting of JJ Bleday, have been huge as well, and Sixto in particular leads the system as a potential true ace. Meanwhile, the position player group has been a really interesting one. Just since the end of the 2018 season, they have spent over $19 million to reel in five amateur hitters: Bleday ($6.67M), Victor Victor Mesa ($5.25M), Jose Salas ($2.8M), Nasim Nunez ($2.2M), and Kameron Misner ($2.12M). They'll really be leaning on those players to carry the system from a hitting perspective, because their aggressive approach of pushing young, raw hitters through the minors has likely hurt the development of highly regarded amateurs like Connor Scott and Will Banfield, the two of whom they spent nearly $6 million on in the 2018 draft.
Affiliates: AAA New Orleans Baby Cakes*, AA Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, High A Jupiter Hammerheads, Class A Clinton LumberKings, short season Batavia Muckdogs, complex level GCL and DSL Marlins
*AAA affiliate will move from New Orleans, LA to Wichita, KS in 2020
Catcher
- Will Banfield (2020 Age: 20): High school catchers are the riskiest demographic to draft from, but the Marlins had success in the past with J.T. Realmuto so they grabbed Atlanta-area high schooler Will Banfield in the competitive balance round in 2018 and pushed him aggressively to Class A in his pro debut. Personally, I don't think that was the best decision, and in 2019 he slashed just .199/.252/.310 with nine home runs and a 121/25 strikeout to walk ratio over 101 games at Class A Clinton. Banfield has good power in his right handed swing, but he struggled with swing and miss even in high school and his bat flat out wasn't ready for South Atlantic League pitching in his age-19 season. His glove, on the flip side, was, and his cannon arm means he should be an above average defensive catcher at the major league level. The bat will take patience, though, as he learns to find the strike zone and tap that power consistently, and that will probably take more time than the Marlins had hoped. He'll be just 20 for all of 2020, so if I were them, I'd have Banfield repeat Class A.
- Keep an eye on: Nick Fortes, Arquimedes Cumana
Corner Infield
- Lewin Diaz (2020 Age: 23): It's been a long time coming for Diaz, who signed with the Twins for $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2013, but 2019 was finally the breakout year everyone was waiting for. Despite being shipped to the Marlins midway through the season for Sergio Romo, he slashed .270/.321/.530 with 27 home runs and a 91/33 strikeout to walk ratio over 121 games between High A and AA. Diaz's power is very, very real, as he uses his 6'4" frame and explosive left handed swing to drive the ball to all fields. He's an aggressive hitter who usually does not get deep enough into the count to draw walks, but he also has very good feel for the barrel that helps him keep his strikeout rates very low for a power hitter. That gives him a very favorable outlook at the next level if he can get over that last hump, and he could hit 30+ home runs annually. Defensively, he's limited to first base, but the bat should profile there.
- Evan Edwards (2020 Age: 22-23): The Marlins took Edwards as an under slot senior sign in the fourth round out of NC State in 2019, but a successful pro debut means he might be more than just a money saver. In extensive action, he hit .281/.357/.442 with nine home runs and an 83/30 strikeout to walk ratio over 73 games, mostly at Class A Clinton, showing that the big raw power he had in college will play up in pro ball. He struck out in 25.7% of his plate appearances up at Clinton, which is a bit high, but I'd actually take that if I'm the Marlins. He has a long swing and there were questions as to how that would be exploited in pro ball, so high strikeout rates were already expected, and Class A is a fairly aggressive assignment for a player in his pro debut. The pressure will be on Edwards' bat to continue to produce, as he's a first baseman only, but I'm interested to see how he fares in a full season in 2020.
- Nic Ready (2020 Age: 23): You could say it's been a good year for Nic Ready. He put up a big senior year for the Air Force Academy in the spring, graduated and was personally congratulated by President Trump in May, then got drafted by the Marlins in the 23rd round in June. It didn't stop there, though, as he went on to slash .263/.311/.508 with ten home runs and an 82/20 strikeout to walk ratio over 67 games at short season Batavia, also smacking 30 doubles and a pair of triples. He has a long swing that led to an elevated strikeout rate in pro ball, but he is also adept at finding the barrel and can spray deep line drives all over the park with ease. He'll have to shorten up his swing to keep from being exploited by higher level pitching, but it's as good of a start as you can have and with his natural Air Force work ethic, he's a good bet to outplay his draft position.
- Keep an eye on: Joe Dunand, Lazaro Alonso
Middle Infield
- Jazz Chisholm (2020 Age: 22): Chisholm is part of the new wave of Bahamian talent hitting pro ball, and so far, he might already be the best player from the islands since Andre Rodgers of the 1960's Giants, Cubs, and Pirates. Originally a Diamondbacks prospect, he was shipped to Miami in 2019 for Zac Gallen during a season in which he slashed .220/.321/.441 with 21 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a 147/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 112 games between the two AA affiliates. Despite standing just 5'11", he's an extra base machine with his explosive swing, which produces lots of hard contact to all fields. The end result is a lot of home run power and balls in the gaps, which he can leg out with his above average speed. The one thing holding Chisholm back offensively is his tendency to swing and miss, which is a product of his big swing. He does have the strike zone judgement to draw his share of walks, so he really needs to just focus on finding the barrel more and may need to tone down his big uppercut. He's also a good defensive shortstop, so he has the potential to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Whether he can make enough contact is really the only thing between him and a ceiling of 20-25 home runs with good on-base percentages.
- Jose Devers (2020 Age: 20): We might have all made up our minds about the Giancarlo Stanton trade, but Jose Devers, who had just turned 18 when he was shipped from New York to Miami as part of the return, means we'll have to wait a little longer. In 2019, he slashed .322/.391/.390 with eight stolen bases and a 26/14 strikeout to walk ratio over 47 games between Class A Clinton, High A Jupiter, and complex level rehab work despite missing time with groin and forearm issues. Devers is extremely advanced for his age, showing exceptional contact ability even against pitchers much older than himself, and it's a pretty safe bet that he'll be able to hit his way up to the majors. His swing is very contact-oriented and at a listed 155 pounds, he doesn't hit for a ton of impact, so the Marlins will want Devers to continue to add weight and grow into his 6' frame so he can eventually be a threat for lots of doubles and triples with his speed. He's a very good defender at shortstop and could be a Gold Glover if he's forced over to second base, taking pressure off his bat, and he'll play all of 2020 at just 20 years old.
- Nasim Nunez (2020 Age: 19): The Marlins drafted Nunez out of an Atlanta-area high school in the second round in 2019, then signed him to an over slot deal for $2.2 million. Personally, I think that's a lot to spend on a high schooler whose bat is almost completely unproven, but the Marlins will hope he takes a similar path to Jose Devers. In his pro debut, Nunez slashed .200/.327/.238 with 28 stolen bases and a 48/35 strikeout to walk ratio over 51 games in the complex level Gulf Coast League and at short season Batavia, showing no power whatsoever but also better plate discipline than expected. Nunez was drafted for his glove, and he might be the best defensive shortstop in the system, so there is very little pressure on the bat for the 5'9" switch hitter. That said, he still needs to hit a little, and while the high walk rate is a nice start, he's going to have to learn to drive the ball more and start to hit for some real impact, even if it's just doubles and triples power. He's a great runner who stole 28 bases in 30 tries in complex ball, so getting on base will be key if he wants to maximize his value.
- Jose Salas (2020 Age: 17): It will probably be a few years before we even know what kind of prospect Salas is, but the Marlins liked his upside enough that they signed him out of Venezuela for $2.8 million in 2019. Born in 2003, he won't even turn 17 until April, and it's the athleticism that the Marlins are buying more than anything else. He's fast, produces some good power from both sides of the plate, has a good approach, and is athletic if somewhat raw at shortstop. There's a lot to teach, but since they got him this young, the Marlins also hope there's a lot of room to grow.
- Keep an eye on: Gosuke Katoh, Bryson Brigman, Riley Mahan, Osiris Johnson
Outfield
- Jesus Sanchez (2020 Age: 22): Lewis Brinson is looking like a bust now 200+ games into his big league career, but fortunately, the Marlins do have a nice crop of young outfielders coming up the pipeline behind him. Jesus Sanchez, acquired from the Rays in the Nick Anderson trade at the 2019 deadline, might be the next to break into the majors after slashing .260/.325/.398 with 13 home runs and a 100/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 113 games between AA and AAA this year. Big and strong at 6'3", he's more concerned with just spraying line drives around and making consistent hard contact, but it might do him good to start lifting the ball just a little bit more to tap his above average raw power. He's a very competent hitter that has no problem finding the barrel, even against advanced pitching, and if he tries to tap that power a little more, he could hit 15-20 or more home runs annually with good on-base percentages. He also profiles well in right field with sound defense and a good arm.
- Monte Harrison (2020 Age: 24-25): I see a lot of shades of Lewis Brinson here. Harrison, who is just over a year younger, is also a 6'3" right handed hitter with tools all over the place who hasn't quite put it together yet. Drafted in the second round out of a Kansas City-area high school way back in 2014, Harrison hit .270/.351/.441 with nine home runs, 23 stolen bases, and a 74/25 strikeout to walk ratio over 58 games in 2019, mostly at AAA New Orleans with a brief rehab stint at High A Jupiter. He generates a lot of power from an explosive right handed swing, though with that power comes a lot of swing and miss, and in fact, his 215 strikeouts in 2018 led the minor leagues that year. He's managed to cut his strikeout rate just a bit in 2019, but in order to get over the hump in the majors, there will be more work to do. Fortunately, Harrison has a lot of other traits to like, including his plus speed and exceptional arm strength from the outfield. He's very close to major league ready, and despite turning 25 next season, he maintains a high ceiling if he can figure out how to put the last few pieces together.
- JJ Bleday (2020 Age: 22): Bleday had a huge breakout junior season at Vanderbilt, where he led Division I baseball with 27 home runs despite facing the gauntlet of SEC pitching, and he rode that to being drafted fourth overall by the Marlins in 2019. Aggressively pushed to High A Jupiter to start his career, he started slow but heated up as he got his footing, finishing with a .257/.311/.379 slash line, three home runs, and a 29/11 strikeout to walk ratio over 38 games. Bleday is pretty much as close as you'll find to a complete hitter straight out of college, as he combines tremendous feel for the barrel with great raw power to hit lots and lots of home runs against advanced pitching. Defensively, he's more or less average in right field, but his strong arm helps him provide at least some value out there. He should move quickly and, with a little luck, he could be in the big leagues at some point in 2020. His ceiling is 35-40 home runs annually with good on-base percentages – i.e., a true middle of the order hitter.
- Victor Victor Mesa (2020 Age: 23-24): Mesa was one of the most hyped international prospects this year after defecting from Cuba, and he and his younger brother Victor signed with the Marlins shortly thereafter, the elder brother getting a whopping $5.25 million. Unfortunately, his pro career hasn't gone as planned so far, as he hit just .235/.274/.263 with 18 stolen bases and a 64/22 strikeout to walk ratio over 116 games at High A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville. He didn't have much of a problem making contact against quality pitching, but the problem was that he rarely found the barrel and was more likely to roll over a ground ball or pop up than he was to really drive one. He'll need to take a step back and really work on his pitch recognition and hand eye coordination, because even though he put up slap hitter numbers, he doesn't have a slap hitter swing. At this point, he probably looks like more of a fourth outfielder, but he's also just 116 games into his pro career and he has a chance to show that 2019 was just growing pains, not his true talent level. He is exceptional in the outfield with speed, instincts, and a great arm, and that (plus the signing bonus) buys the bat a lot of time.
- Kameron Misner (2020 Age: 22): Misner had an enigmatic career at Missouri, hitting really, really well most of the time until slumping hard in SEC play in his junior year. He had previously positioned himself to potentially go somewhere in the top half of the first round, but the SEC skid dropped him to the competitive balance round, where the Marlins picked him up with the 35th pick in 2019. In his pro debut, he hit .270/.388/.362 with a pair of home runs, eleven stolen bases, and a 42/30 strikeout to walk ratio over 42 games between the complex level Gulf Coast League and Class A Clinton, which was at least a nice sign in a small sample even if he didn't hit for much power. Misner is a tooled up prospect who really looks like a ballplayer at 6'4" with good power, speed, and defense. He was able to get to that power consistently against weaker non-conference opponents in both 2018 and 2019, but a broken foot kept him out of SEC play in 2018 and he had that slump in 2019, so he came into the draft completely unproven against higher level pitching. He did a good job of keeping that strike zone at least reasonably down in pro ball and he drew a lot of walks, and if he can pull it together by finding his power stroke in 2020, this could look like a steal for Miami with Misner's upside of 25-30 home runs annually with plenty of stolen bases and good defense.
- Connor Scott (2020 Age: 20): Miami drafted Scott in the middle of the first round out of a Tampa high school in 2018, though he hasn't quite figured it out in pro ball as the Marlins have pushed him aggressively. In 2019, he slashed .248/.310/.359 with five home runs, 23 stolen bases, and a 117/42 strikeout to walk ratio over 122 games at Class A Clinton and High A Jupiter as his baseball skills haven't quite caught up to his physical tools. Long and lanky at 6'4", he's more of a line drive hitter that relies on his good feel for the barrel to hit for impact at the plate, at least for now. There may be some power to tap into as he adds strength and leverage in his swing, but it hasn't shown up yet and I don't think the Marlins aggressively pushing him to High A as a teenager is going to help. Meanwhile, he's a great athlete with a ton of speed and a strong arm that could make him a plus defensive center fielder in time, and it's already helping him steal bases. The glove and high draft position will by the bat time, and he remains a breakout candidate even after the so-so 2019.
- Peyton Burdick (2020 Age: 23): Burdick absolutely mashed as a Wright State redshirt junior in 2019, slashing an unbelievable .407/.538/.729 against the Raiders' relatively weak Horizon League schedule, and the Marlins picked him up in the third round with hopes that he could make the leap up to pro ball and continue hitting for impact. As it turns out, he could, and his exceptional pro debut saw him slash .308/.407/.542 with eleven home runs and a 72/34 strikeout to walk ratio over 69 games, mostly at Class A Clinton. Burdick turns 23 right at the start of spring training, so he's not exactly the youngest prospect around, but he's extremely well everywhere he's gone and it wouldn't be smart to bet against his bat. He generates above average raw power with great feel for the barrel from the right side, and while he'll probably have a good amount of swing and miss at first while he transitions up from Horizon League pitching, he should cut it down reasonably going forward. To me, he looks like a 20-25 homer bat with decent on-base percentages, which would be enough to start in left field if he can get there.
- Victor Mesa Jr. (2020 Age: 18): Victor Mesa Jr. joined his older brother Victor Victor Mesa in defecting from Cuba last year, and while Victor Victor got $5.25 million, the younger Victor Jr. landed a nice $1 million bonus from the same Marlins. And while Victor Victor disappointed in his pro debut, Victor Jr. actually exceeded expectations, slashing .284/.366/.398 with a home run, seven stolen bases, and a 29/24 strikeout to walk ratio over 47 games in the complex level Gulf Coast League. He's not too dissimilar of a hitter from Jose Devers in that he has great feel for the barrel and the strike zone at a very young age, and while he doesn't hit for much power at present, he has enough athleticism and strength to eventually hit for average power despite standing just 5'11". He will play all of 2020 at just 18 years old, and with the way the Marlins like to push their young prospects, he could be in the majors at a very young age if he keeps hitting the way he's hitting and adds some power. However, unlike his brother, his defense plays closer to average, so his bat will have to carry him up.
- Keep an eye on: Brian Miller, Stone Garrett, Tristan Pompey, Jerar Encarnacion, J.D. Orr
Starting Pitching
- Sixto Sanchez (2020 Age: 21-22): Sixto was part of the return for J.T. Realmuto last offseason, and few minor league pitchers have a higher ceiling than he does. In his first season in the Marlins system, he posted a 2.76 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and a 103/21 strikeout to walk ratio over 114 innings at High A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville, starting a bit slow but finishing strong with a 0.90 ERA and a 35/6 strikeout to walk ratio in 40.1 innings over his final seven starts. Sixto is truly an elite talent, combining plus stuff with plus command in a way that very few other pitchers can. His fastball sits in the mid to upper 90's, touching 100, and he can put some sink on it when he wants to to get lots of ground ball outs. His curve is a hammer and his changeup misses bats as well, and since he can put them where he wants them, they all play up. Unfortunately, the one downside in Sanchez's profile is health – at six feet tall, he's a bit undersized, and he missed time with elbow problems in 2018. He set a career high with 114 innings in 2019, which is both good news and bad news in that he proved he was healthy after those elbow problems but also bad news in that he'd never even topped 95 innings before. If Sixto can get past those durability concerns, he has true ace potential, and I think he'll post great numbers no matter what, just perhaps in smaller samples if he ends up breaking down.
- Sterling Sharp (2020 Age: 24-25): The Nationals kind of surprisingly left Sharp unprotected for the Rule 5 Draft, and the Marlins scooped him up with the third pick a few weeks ago. That means after posting a 3.53 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, and a 52/15 strikeout to walk ratio over 58.2 innings between AA and some lower level rehab work, Sharp will have to spend the entire season on the Marlins' active major league roster or else they'll have to send him back. Sharp should have very little trouble sticking in the majors, as he's a very advanced arm who stands out for his athleticism, control, and ability to sink his low 90's fastball for consistent ground ball outs. He also adds a decent slider and a good changeup, an overall average arsenal that the Marlins will hope plays up due to his feel for pitching. Overall, it's a #4 starter projection, though he'll likely pitch in the bullpen in 2020.
- Nick Neidert (2020 Age: 23): Neidert, a Mariners second rounder out of an Atlanta-area high school in 2015, has worked his way up slowly but with good numbers along the way, though a knee injury slowed him down in 2019. Overall, he had a 4.67 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, and a 46/27 strikeout to walk ratio over 54 innings between High A Jupiter, AAA New Orleans, and complex level rehab work, the first time he'd ever had an ERA above 3.45 or a WHIP above 1.17. Acquired from Seattle as part of the return for Dee Gordon in 2017, Neidert is perhaps the most advanced pitcher in the system after from Sixto Sanchez, as he makes solid stuff play up great command and overall feel for mixing his pitches. He throws a lot to mid 90's fastball, adds a decent curve that stands out more for his ability to locate it than its actual movement, and gets most of his outs with a great changeup. His command wasn't quite as sharp in 2019 after the knee injury, and that exposed his overall arsenal a bit, so getting back to that plus command will help him become a #4 or #5 starter in the very near future.
- Braxton Garrett (2020 Age: 22-23): The Marlins picked up Garrett with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft out of a Northern Alabama high school, but he went down with Tommy John surgery just four starts into his pro career and missed most of 2017 and all of 2018. Returning in 2019, almost three years after he was drafted, he didn't miss a beat and posted a 3.54 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, and a 119/40 strikeout to walk ratio over 106.2 innings, mostly at High A Jupiter with one rough start at AA Jacksonville. Garrett is a very balanced pitcher with good stuff and good command, though aside from a great curveball that functions as his out pitch, nothing stands out as plus. He sits in the low 90's and adds an advanced changeup, and while his command was a bit spotty in 2019, he had a very good feel for the strike zone in high school and he should regain that feel as he gets farther away from all that time off. Garrett has the ceiling of a #2 or a #3 starter, though that is contingent of him getting back to hitting his spots and filling up the strike zone, and a very good chance of becoming at least a #4.
- Edward Cabrera (2020 Age: 22): Perhaps the biggest breakout star in the system, Cabrera was a little known prospect until a solid 2018 at Class A (4.22 ERA, 93/42 K/BB) at least put him on the map. Then in 2019, the Dominican prospect posted a 2.23 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and a 116/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 96.2 innings at High A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville. He sits in the mid 90's with his running fastball, which is his best pitch, and he took a step forward in 2019 because he got more consistent with his command of the pitch. His slider is coming along as he continues to refine the pitch, and his changeup has come along as well. The next steps will be to just continue to refine and refine, and he'll need to prove his durability as well with a career high of just 100.1 innings in 2018. Still, with a little more refinement, his fastball should be enough to lead the way for a career as a #3 or #4 starter.
- Trevor Rogers (2020 Age: 22): It took Rogers a bit to find his footing in pro ball, as he didn't pitch in 2017 after being drafted in the middle of the first round out of a New Mexico high school, then struggled to a 5.82 ERA and an 85/27 strikeout to walk ratio in Class A in 2018. However, he figured it out in 2019, posting a 2.90 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and a 150/33 strikeout to walk ratio over 136.1 innings at High A Jupiter and AA Jacksonville, the biggest difference, like Cabrera, being taking a big step forward with his command. He's a 6'6" lefty that sits in the low to mid 90's with his fastball, and that velocity comes pretty easily as he doesn't throw with much effort. The rest of his arsenal is beginning to take shape with a curveball, a slider/cutter, and a changeup, which are all better than when he was drafted but which still need more refinement. With his command now safely above average, the Marlins can have him focus on those secondary pitches and hopefully reach his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter.
- Humberto Mejia (2020 Age: 23): Mejia was never a top prospect, and that's why he's moved very slowly through the system since signing for $50,000 out of Panama in 2013, but he's also performed very well at every stop and has yet to really be challenged. In 2019, he finally reached full season ball and posted a 2.09 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and an 89/24 strikeout to walk ratio over 90.1 innings at Class A Clinton and High A Jupiter. He sits in the low 90's with his fastball from a projectable 6'3" frame, and he can get outs with his curve and his changeup because he commands them well. The overall package is pretty average, but he's passed every test the Marlins have given him, so it will be interesting to see how he potentially handles the upper minors in 2020, which will be his age-23 season. If it clicks, he could be a #4 starter.
- Evan Fitterer (2020 Age: 19-20): Despite turning 19 shortly after the 2019 draft, the Marlins took Fitterer in the fifth round out of his Southern California high school then signed him to an over slot $1.5 million deal. Fitterer then posted a 2.38 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and a 19/12 strikeout to walk ratio over 22.2 innings in the complex level Gulf Coast League, nothing that really changes his outlook. He's a balanced pitcher for his age, one who sits in the low 90's with his fastball, adds a pair of breaking balls that both look good at times, and a changeup that's pretty advanced for a high school pitcher. He usually commands all four pitches pretty well, and with a projectable 6'3" frame, he has all the building blocks in place for the Marlins to work with. Going forward, he'll just need to get more consistent with everything and continue to learn himself as a pitcher. High ceiling, low floor, and a lot of time to figure it out.
- Keep an eye on: Robert Dugger, Cody Poteet, Daniel Castano, Will Stewart, Delvis Alegre
Relief Pitching
- Jorge Guzman (2020 Age: 24): The Dominican flamethrower has already been traded twice, once from Houston to New York in the Brian McCann deal of 2016 and then, more notably, as the prospect with the highest upside in the Giancarlo Stanton trade a year later. In 2019, Guzman posted a 3.50 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 127/71 strikeout to walk ratio over 138.2 innings at AA Jacksonville, which was just enough to remain in the rotation for now but not enough to add any more confidence that he won't eventually end up in the bullpen. With multiple starting pitching prospects taking a big step forward at High A in 2019 and the acquisition of Sterling Sharp, Guzman will probably end up the odd man out when looking for a rotation spot, but he could be a real force in the bullpen. He sits consistently in the mid to upper 90's with his fastball, and his short arm action makes it really difficult to pick the ball up out of his hand. His slider stands out more for its mid to upper 80's velocity than for its movement, and his changeup has some nice fade, but his inability to throw strikes has kept him from putting it all together as a starter. Set to play in his age-24 season, the command probably won't ever get close to average, so at this point he's probably best off running his fastball up to 100 in the bullpen while missing bats with that hard slider. He could be up in 2020 if the Marlins go that route.
- Jordan Holloway (2020 Age: 23-24): A 20th round draft pick out of a Denver-area high school in 2014, Holloway probably finds himself in about the same spot as Guzman after posting a 4.45 ERA, a 1.51 WHIP, and a 93/66 strikeout to walk ratio over 95 innings at High A Jupiter. While he's still a starter, many of his teammates took steps forward that he couldn't match, and his two plus pitches likely fit better in a relief role at this point. Like Guzman, he sits in the mid to upper 90's with his fastball, though his breaking ball of choice is a curveball with really nice two-plane movement. Though he has a relatively easy delivery with a quick arm like Guzman's, he also struggles to throw strikes, and that has made his stuff play down. As a fastball/curveball reliever, he could work his way up and become a 7th or 8th inning guy.
- Sean Guenther (2020 Age: 24): The Marlins picked up Guenther as a strike throwing seventh rounder out of Notre Dame in 2017, but his average stuff wasn't quite enough to cut it as a starter in pro ball, so the organization bumped him to the bullpen in 2019 and the early returns are great. Often used for multiple innings at a time, the 5'11" lefty posted a 2.02 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and a 72/16 strikeout to walk ratio over 71.1 innings at Class A Clinton and High A Jupiter, using a high overhand delivery to get some added deception on his pitches. His fastball has bumped up into the low 90's, and while he used two breaking balls as a starter, I was unable to find if he's focused on one as a reliever but I'd have to guess he has. His plus command makes everything play up, and he could work his way up as a middle reliever.
- Keep an eye on: Tommy Eveld, Colton Hock, Jeff Lindgren
Showing posts with label Jazz Chisholm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jazz Chisholm. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Monday, November 26, 2018
Reviewing the Arizona Diamondbacks Farm System
The Diamondbacks' farm system is vastly improved from where it was a few years ago, but it's still not deep. Headlined by the live armed Jon Duplantier, this system is built around a strong group of hitters that played at High A Visalia in 2018, though after a solid top ten or so the system drops off and is mostly comprised of fringe talent. They have placed an emphasis on bats in the draft recently, and that has replenished the lower end of the system. In terms of pitching, most of the talent is closer to the major leagues and aside from Jon Duplantier, there are no true high-ceiling pitching prospects.
Affiliates: AAA Reno Aces, AA Jackson Generals, High A Visalia Rawhide, Class A Kane County Cougars, Short Season Hillsboro Hops, Rookie level Missoula Osprey, complex level AZL and DSL Diamondbacks
The Headliner: RHP Jon Duplantier
24 year old Jon Duplantier was a third round pick (89th overall) out of Rice in 2016, and though he had shoulder concerns in college, he has been mostly healthy in the minors. The result so far is a 17-4 record, a 1.79 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and a 245/74 strikeout to walk ratio over 211 innings since he was drafted, and in 2018 he was 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and a 77/30 strikeout to walk ratio over 74 innings, mostly at AA Jackson. He has shown the ability to shut down AA hitting with great stuff and good enough command to make it all work, and really his only question is health. Though he managed 136 innings in 2017, he missed some more time in 2018 and was shut down after 74 innings and he might end up as a right handed James Paxton type who struggles to stay on the mound. When healthy though, he looks like a future #2 starter who could be up in the majors by late 2019.
Visalia Bats: 2B Jazz Chisholm, 1B Pavin Smith, C Daulton Varsho, 3B Drew Ellis, and OF Marcus Wilson
It just so happened to work out that most of the top impact bats in the Arizona system all spent the bulk of their 2018 season at High A Visalia, which must have made for a fun lineup to watch out in California. Keep in mind that Visalia is a hitter-friendly venue when reading statistics in this section. 20 year old Jazz Chisholm, a Bahamas native, has the highest ceiling in this group. Chisholm spent 76 games down at Class A Kane County before being called up to Visalia for 36 games, combining for 25 home runs, a .272/.329/.513 slash line, 17 stolen bases, and a 149/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 112 games. He's an explosive player with speed and power from a 5'11" frame, but he has to improve his plate discipline. That isn't a huge issue due to his age, so if he can shore up that strike zone a little bit, he could be a Rougned Odor-type second baseman in the majors. 22 year old Pavin Smith was probably the most notable hitter to appear for the Rawhide, though his season was somewhat disappointing as he finished with eleven home runs, a .255/.343/.392 line, and a 65/57 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games, all at Visalia. The seventh overall pick out of the University of Virginia in 2017, Smith showed the excellent plate discipline he was known for in college, but the power he was projected to have has not yet materialized. At 6'2" with long arms, evaluators still think there is power to tap into, but he risks becoming just a bench bat if he doesn't get to it, even with his excellent plate discipline. He looked like he could be a Joey Votto out of college, but now it looks more like Jake Bauers. 22 year old Daulton Varsho was drafted 61 picks after Smith, 68th overall, in 2017 out of college in Wisconsin. Over 83 games between Visalia and some rehab work in complex ball, Varsho slashed .294/.367/.475 with 12 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and a 72/30 strikeout to walk ratio. He has power and speed, and with the ability to catch, he might be the most interesting prospect in the system. Catching isn't a given for Varsho, as his arm is mediocre, but if he can stick behind the plate he could be a J.T. Realmuto-type catcher with all around abilities as a hitter. Keep an eye on him. 22 year old Drew Ellis, yet another 2017 draft pick out of college, was a second rounder (44th overall) out of Louisville who has been more of a Smith-like disappointment than a Varsho-like surprise. This year, Ellis slashed .246/.331/.429 with 15 home runs and a 98/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games at Visalia, putting up some solid numbers on the surface that look a little less impressive considering the hitter-friendly context of the California League. I liked Ellis on draft day (as I did with Varsho) because of his high-torque swing where he keeps his hands close to his body, kind of like Mike Trout, but he just didn't drive the ball enough in 2018 to set himself apart. I still like him and he could be a strong third baseman with power and on-base ability, but like Smith, he has to start hitting with more authority. Yet another 22 year old, outfielder Marcus Wilson, spent the year at Visalia and slashed .235/.309/.369 with ten home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a 141/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 111 games. He was much better at Class A Kane County in 2017 (.295/.383/.446, 9 HR, 15 SB), so his lack of offensive sock this year was a disappointment. His best tool is his speed, but with an average bat, he probably ends up a fourth outfielder at the major league level.
Other Bats: 2B Domingo Leyba, 1B Kevin Cron, OF Jake McCarthy, OF Alek Thomas, OF Kristian Robinson, C Andy Yerzy, SS Blaze Alexander, and SS Geraldo Perdomo
While the bulk of Arizona's relevant bats were down at High A, they had quite a few that were a little farther back and two that were just ahead. 23 year old Domingo Leyba and 25 year old Kevin Cron are the two most advanced bats in the Diamondbacks' system, though they're two very different prospects. Leyba played 2018 at AA Jacksonville and slashed .269/.344/.381 with five home runs and a 46/35 strikeout to walk ratio over 83 games, showing good plate discipline and bat to ball skills but not showing much power. With some respectable defense, he looks like he could be a serviceable utility man who can get on base at a reasonable rate. Cron, meanwhile, is a big power hitter out of TCU who slashed .309/.368/.554 with 22 home runs and a 100/36 strikeout to walk ratio over 104 games at AAA Reno, though it's important to keep in mind that Reno is a hitter-friendly environment. The 6'5", 245 pound first baseman is blocked by Paul Goldschmidt in Arizona, but with 112 home runs over five minor league seasons, he could be a valuable pinch-hitter in the near term. However, in order for him to start in the majors, he'll need to walk more so that he is not just a one-dimensional player. 21 year old Jake McCarthy, the D-Backs' competitive balance pick (39th overall) out of the University of Virginia in 2018, was a nice get and I think he could out-play his draft position. McCarthy slashed .288/.375/.443 with three home runs, 21 stolen bases, and a 41/23 strikeout to walk ratio over 58 games, mostly with Short Season Hillsboro, after signing. He's really a complete player with speed, defense, on-base ability, and some power, and I think he'll develop more power in the minors. He hasn't yet played in full season ball, but he could move quickly through the minors and while he looks more like a good fourth outfielder at this point, I think he has a good shot to be a starting center fielder and valuable leadoff man. Meanwhile, 18 year old Alek Thomas was taken 24 picks later at 63rd overall out of high school in Chicago, and he adjusted quickly to pro ball by slashing .333/.395/.463 with two home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 37/24 strikeout to walk ratio over 56 games evenly split between complex ball and rookie level Missoula. He was known pre-draft as an advanced hitter for his age and it certainly showed, though I question his ceiling and see him more as a fourth outfielder than as a starter. He has great plate discipline, speed, and defense, but he doesn't hit for much power and his value will be tied to his on-base percentage if he can't add more. If he can maintain those high on-base percentages, though, he could be a leadoff hitter down the road. His teammate for much of the season, 17 year old Kristian Robinson, is another Bahamian who got off to a hot start for his pro career by slashing .279/.363/.428 with seven home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 67/27 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball and Missoula. He's extremely young, turning 18 in December, and while he's a long, long way off, he could end up with a similar offensive toolset to Jazz Chisholm. Players like Robinson flame out all the time, but they're also the type that can yield tons of value down the road if they don't flame out. 20 year old catcher Andy Yerzy has been brought along slowly, hitting well along the way and slashing .297/.382/.452 with eight home runs and a 67/28 strikeout to walk ratio over 63 games at Hillsboro. The bat is potent, especially for a catcher, but he has to continue to work on his defense if he wants to stay behind the plate. He's a good enough hitter that he could still be valuable as a first baseman or an outfielder, but he could be a starting catcher if he can improve his defense. Obviously, we'll still need to see the bat at higher levels before considering him a true impact prospect. 19 year olds Blaze Alexander and Geraldo Perdomo are a couple of young shortstop prospects who will be competing as they move up through the minors. Alexander got off to a hot start to his pro career in 2018, slashing .329/.417/.538 with five home runs, ten stolen bases, and a 52/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 55 games between complex ball and Missoula, while Perdomo hit .322/.438/.460 with four home runs, 24 stolen bases, an a 44/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball, Missoula, and Hillsboro. Both are good defenders, with Perdomo more likely to stick at short and Alexander more likely to move to third base, and while Perdomo also appears to have a little more sock in his bat, they're about even offensively and the transition to full season ball will be telling.
The Pitchers: Taylor Widener, Taylor Clarke, Emilio Vargas, Matt Tabor, Matt Mercer, Yoan Lopez, and Alex Young
The Diamondbacks aren't very deep with pitching after Jon Duplantier, so I decided to lump the rest of the pitchers into one section. Of the rest, 24 year old Taylor Widener is clearly the best, showing pretty decent command of mid-rotation stuff and using it to hold down minor league hitters very effectively to this point. In 2018, the 6' righty put up a 2.75 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 176/43 strikeout to walk ratio over 137.1 innings at AA Jackson, missing bats with his mid-90's heater and his sharp slider. Right now, he looks good enough to at least cut it as a back-end starter with the upside of a mid-rotation starter, and how effectively he can deploy his decent changeup will be an important factor in his ultimate performance. There's a good chance he makes it to the majors in 2019. His main competition among prospects, aside from Duplantier, will be another Taylor, 25 year old Taylor Clarke. Clarke is a veteran of the upper minors who posted a 4.03 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 125/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 152 innings at AAA Reno in 2018, a hitter-friendly context. While his stuff is generally average, Clarke commands his pitches well and can get outs by hitting his spots consistently. He will be tested in the majors, but he could be a #4 or #5 starter in 2019. 22 year old Emilio Vargas is slightly behind the two of them, but the 6'3" righty should not be overlooked. Over 26 games (25 starts) at High A Visalia and Jackson in 2018, Vargas posted a 2.88 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 170/49 strikeout to walk ratio over 143.2 innings. His stuff ticked up this year and he started missing more bats while throwing more strikes, and the result was a dominant run through the hitter-friendly California League followed by a successful AA debut. He still looks like a back-end starter, but 2018 gives hope that he could be more. Farther down on the farm, a couple of Matts have some high upside. 20 year old Matt Tabor posted a 3.26 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 46/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 60.2 innings at Short season Hillsboro, mainly living off his mid 90's fastball and good control, but he's young enough to continue developing those offspeed pitches and could look like Taylor Widener in a couple of years. 22 year old Matt Mercer, meanwhile, was just drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of Oregon and posted a 3.10 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 38/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 29 innings, mostly as Tabor's teammate at Hillsboro. It's a small sample size, but Mercer's low walk rate was a very welcome site after be battled command troubles in college, but he'll still need to refine his secondary pitches if he doesn't want to end up in the bullpen. I get a good feeling that pro coaching could make him a useable back-end starter, but the bullpen is a real possibility and he could be very good back there. Lastly, the Diamondbacks have a pair of notable relief-only prospects in 25 year olds Yoan Lopez and Alex Young. Lopez has had a very roundabout career, originally signing for a huge $8 million bonus in 2015 but struggling as a starter and briefly stepping away from the game in late 2016. He returned as a reliever in 2017 and has been lights out ever since, posting a 2.92 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and an 87/26 strikeout to walk ratio over 61.2 innings with Jackson in 2018 before reaching the majors with success in a small sample size (3.00 ERA, 11/1 K/BB in 9 IP). He throws an MLB-ready fastball/slider combination, and while his control keeps him from being a closer, he could be a valuable reliever starting this season. Young has also spent his minor league career as a starter and there is still some chance he starts in the majors, but I see him more as a relief prospect after a mediocre 2018 (5.17 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109/39 K/BB in 130.2 IP at Jackson and Reno). His stuff is fringy and could play up in the bullpen, and as a lefty he could be deployed strategically. Look for him as a potential long reliever.
Affiliates: AAA Reno Aces, AA Jackson Generals, High A Visalia Rawhide, Class A Kane County Cougars, Short Season Hillsboro Hops, Rookie level Missoula Osprey, complex level AZL and DSL Diamondbacks
The Headliner: RHP Jon Duplantier
24 year old Jon Duplantier was a third round pick (89th overall) out of Rice in 2016, and though he had shoulder concerns in college, he has been mostly healthy in the minors. The result so far is a 17-4 record, a 1.79 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and a 245/74 strikeout to walk ratio over 211 innings since he was drafted, and in 2018 he was 5-1 with a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and a 77/30 strikeout to walk ratio over 74 innings, mostly at AA Jackson. He has shown the ability to shut down AA hitting with great stuff and good enough command to make it all work, and really his only question is health. Though he managed 136 innings in 2017, he missed some more time in 2018 and was shut down after 74 innings and he might end up as a right handed James Paxton type who struggles to stay on the mound. When healthy though, he looks like a future #2 starter who could be up in the majors by late 2019.
Visalia Bats: 2B Jazz Chisholm, 1B Pavin Smith, C Daulton Varsho, 3B Drew Ellis, and OF Marcus Wilson
It just so happened to work out that most of the top impact bats in the Arizona system all spent the bulk of their 2018 season at High A Visalia, which must have made for a fun lineup to watch out in California. Keep in mind that Visalia is a hitter-friendly venue when reading statistics in this section. 20 year old Jazz Chisholm, a Bahamas native, has the highest ceiling in this group. Chisholm spent 76 games down at Class A Kane County before being called up to Visalia for 36 games, combining for 25 home runs, a .272/.329/.513 slash line, 17 stolen bases, and a 149/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 112 games. He's an explosive player with speed and power from a 5'11" frame, but he has to improve his plate discipline. That isn't a huge issue due to his age, so if he can shore up that strike zone a little bit, he could be a Rougned Odor-type second baseman in the majors. 22 year old Pavin Smith was probably the most notable hitter to appear for the Rawhide, though his season was somewhat disappointing as he finished with eleven home runs, a .255/.343/.392 line, and a 65/57 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games, all at Visalia. The seventh overall pick out of the University of Virginia in 2017, Smith showed the excellent plate discipline he was known for in college, but the power he was projected to have has not yet materialized. At 6'2" with long arms, evaluators still think there is power to tap into, but he risks becoming just a bench bat if he doesn't get to it, even with his excellent plate discipline. He looked like he could be a Joey Votto out of college, but now it looks more like Jake Bauers. 22 year old Daulton Varsho was drafted 61 picks after Smith, 68th overall, in 2017 out of college in Wisconsin. Over 83 games between Visalia and some rehab work in complex ball, Varsho slashed .294/.367/.475 with 12 home runs, 19 stolen bases, and a 72/30 strikeout to walk ratio. He has power and speed, and with the ability to catch, he might be the most interesting prospect in the system. Catching isn't a given for Varsho, as his arm is mediocre, but if he can stick behind the plate he could be a J.T. Realmuto-type catcher with all around abilities as a hitter. Keep an eye on him. 22 year old Drew Ellis, yet another 2017 draft pick out of college, was a second rounder (44th overall) out of Louisville who has been more of a Smith-like disappointment than a Varsho-like surprise. This year, Ellis slashed .246/.331/.429 with 15 home runs and a 98/52 strikeout to walk ratio over 120 games at Visalia, putting up some solid numbers on the surface that look a little less impressive considering the hitter-friendly context of the California League. I liked Ellis on draft day (as I did with Varsho) because of his high-torque swing where he keeps his hands close to his body, kind of like Mike Trout, but he just didn't drive the ball enough in 2018 to set himself apart. I still like him and he could be a strong third baseman with power and on-base ability, but like Smith, he has to start hitting with more authority. Yet another 22 year old, outfielder Marcus Wilson, spent the year at Visalia and slashed .235/.309/.369 with ten home runs, 16 stolen bases, and a 141/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 111 games. He was much better at Class A Kane County in 2017 (.295/.383/.446, 9 HR, 15 SB), so his lack of offensive sock this year was a disappointment. His best tool is his speed, but with an average bat, he probably ends up a fourth outfielder at the major league level.
Other Bats: 2B Domingo Leyba, 1B Kevin Cron, OF Jake McCarthy, OF Alek Thomas, OF Kristian Robinson, C Andy Yerzy, SS Blaze Alexander, and SS Geraldo Perdomo
While the bulk of Arizona's relevant bats were down at High A, they had quite a few that were a little farther back and two that were just ahead. 23 year old Domingo Leyba and 25 year old Kevin Cron are the two most advanced bats in the Diamondbacks' system, though they're two very different prospects. Leyba played 2018 at AA Jacksonville and slashed .269/.344/.381 with five home runs and a 46/35 strikeout to walk ratio over 83 games, showing good plate discipline and bat to ball skills but not showing much power. With some respectable defense, he looks like he could be a serviceable utility man who can get on base at a reasonable rate. Cron, meanwhile, is a big power hitter out of TCU who slashed .309/.368/.554 with 22 home runs and a 100/36 strikeout to walk ratio over 104 games at AAA Reno, though it's important to keep in mind that Reno is a hitter-friendly environment. The 6'5", 245 pound first baseman is blocked by Paul Goldschmidt in Arizona, but with 112 home runs over five minor league seasons, he could be a valuable pinch-hitter in the near term. However, in order for him to start in the majors, he'll need to walk more so that he is not just a one-dimensional player. 21 year old Jake McCarthy, the D-Backs' competitive balance pick (39th overall) out of the University of Virginia in 2018, was a nice get and I think he could out-play his draft position. McCarthy slashed .288/.375/.443 with three home runs, 21 stolen bases, and a 41/23 strikeout to walk ratio over 58 games, mostly with Short Season Hillsboro, after signing. He's really a complete player with speed, defense, on-base ability, and some power, and I think he'll develop more power in the minors. He hasn't yet played in full season ball, but he could move quickly through the minors and while he looks more like a good fourth outfielder at this point, I think he has a good shot to be a starting center fielder and valuable leadoff man. Meanwhile, 18 year old Alek Thomas was taken 24 picks later at 63rd overall out of high school in Chicago, and he adjusted quickly to pro ball by slashing .333/.395/.463 with two home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 37/24 strikeout to walk ratio over 56 games evenly split between complex ball and rookie level Missoula. He was known pre-draft as an advanced hitter for his age and it certainly showed, though I question his ceiling and see him more as a fourth outfielder than as a starter. He has great plate discipline, speed, and defense, but he doesn't hit for much power and his value will be tied to his on-base percentage if he can't add more. If he can maintain those high on-base percentages, though, he could be a leadoff hitter down the road. His teammate for much of the season, 17 year old Kristian Robinson, is another Bahamian who got off to a hot start for his pro career by slashing .279/.363/.428 with seven home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 67/27 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball and Missoula. He's extremely young, turning 18 in December, and while he's a long, long way off, he could end up with a similar offensive toolset to Jazz Chisholm. Players like Robinson flame out all the time, but they're also the type that can yield tons of value down the road if they don't flame out. 20 year old catcher Andy Yerzy has been brought along slowly, hitting well along the way and slashing .297/.382/.452 with eight home runs and a 67/28 strikeout to walk ratio over 63 games at Hillsboro. The bat is potent, especially for a catcher, but he has to continue to work on his defense if he wants to stay behind the plate. He's a good enough hitter that he could still be valuable as a first baseman or an outfielder, but he could be a starting catcher if he can improve his defense. Obviously, we'll still need to see the bat at higher levels before considering him a true impact prospect. 19 year olds Blaze Alexander and Geraldo Perdomo are a couple of young shortstop prospects who will be competing as they move up through the minors. Alexander got off to a hot start to his pro career in 2018, slashing .329/.417/.538 with five home runs, ten stolen bases, and a 52/31 strikeout to walk ratio over 55 games between complex ball and Missoula, while Perdomo hit .322/.438/.460 with four home runs, 24 stolen bases, an a 44/39 strikeout to walk ratio over 57 games between complex ball, Missoula, and Hillsboro. Both are good defenders, with Perdomo more likely to stick at short and Alexander more likely to move to third base, and while Perdomo also appears to have a little more sock in his bat, they're about even offensively and the transition to full season ball will be telling.
The Pitchers: Taylor Widener, Taylor Clarke, Emilio Vargas, Matt Tabor, Matt Mercer, Yoan Lopez, and Alex Young
The Diamondbacks aren't very deep with pitching after Jon Duplantier, so I decided to lump the rest of the pitchers into one section. Of the rest, 24 year old Taylor Widener is clearly the best, showing pretty decent command of mid-rotation stuff and using it to hold down minor league hitters very effectively to this point. In 2018, the 6' righty put up a 2.75 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 176/43 strikeout to walk ratio over 137.1 innings at AA Jackson, missing bats with his mid-90's heater and his sharp slider. Right now, he looks good enough to at least cut it as a back-end starter with the upside of a mid-rotation starter, and how effectively he can deploy his decent changeup will be an important factor in his ultimate performance. There's a good chance he makes it to the majors in 2019. His main competition among prospects, aside from Duplantier, will be another Taylor, 25 year old Taylor Clarke. Clarke is a veteran of the upper minors who posted a 4.03 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 125/44 strikeout to walk ratio over 152 innings at AAA Reno in 2018, a hitter-friendly context. While his stuff is generally average, Clarke commands his pitches well and can get outs by hitting his spots consistently. He will be tested in the majors, but he could be a #4 or #5 starter in 2019. 22 year old Emilio Vargas is slightly behind the two of them, but the 6'3" righty should not be overlooked. Over 26 games (25 starts) at High A Visalia and Jackson in 2018, Vargas posted a 2.88 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and a 170/49 strikeout to walk ratio over 143.2 innings. His stuff ticked up this year and he started missing more bats while throwing more strikes, and the result was a dominant run through the hitter-friendly California League followed by a successful AA debut. He still looks like a back-end starter, but 2018 gives hope that he could be more. Farther down on the farm, a couple of Matts have some high upside. 20 year old Matt Tabor posted a 3.26 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, and a 46/13 strikeout to walk ratio over 60.2 innings at Short season Hillsboro, mainly living off his mid 90's fastball and good control, but he's young enough to continue developing those offspeed pitches and could look like Taylor Widener in a couple of years. 22 year old Matt Mercer, meanwhile, was just drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 draft out of Oregon and posted a 3.10 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 38/7 strikeout to walk ratio over 29 innings, mostly as Tabor's teammate at Hillsboro. It's a small sample size, but Mercer's low walk rate was a very welcome site after be battled command troubles in college, but he'll still need to refine his secondary pitches if he doesn't want to end up in the bullpen. I get a good feeling that pro coaching could make him a useable back-end starter, but the bullpen is a real possibility and he could be very good back there. Lastly, the Diamondbacks have a pair of notable relief-only prospects in 25 year olds Yoan Lopez and Alex Young. Lopez has had a very roundabout career, originally signing for a huge $8 million bonus in 2015 but struggling as a starter and briefly stepping away from the game in late 2016. He returned as a reliever in 2017 and has been lights out ever since, posting a 2.92 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and an 87/26 strikeout to walk ratio over 61.2 innings with Jackson in 2018 before reaching the majors with success in a small sample size (3.00 ERA, 11/1 K/BB in 9 IP). He throws an MLB-ready fastball/slider combination, and while his control keeps him from being a closer, he could be a valuable reliever starting this season. Young has also spent his minor league career as a starter and there is still some chance he starts in the majors, but I see him more as a relief prospect after a mediocre 2018 (5.17 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109/39 K/BB in 130.2 IP at Jackson and Reno). His stuff is fringy and could play up in the bullpen, and as a lefty he could be deployed strategically. Look for him as a potential long reliever.
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