clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Miami Marlins Farm Report: Kyle Jensen Torches the Arizona Fall League

Kyle Jensen has been the hottest hitter in the Marlins system, putting up excellent numbers during the past two months.

A 2010 Arizona Fall League game. This is the most relevant photo I could find.
A 2010 Arizona Fall League game. This is the most relevant photo I could find.
Christian Petersen

The Arizona Fall League concluded two weeks ago. Here is how the eight Miami Marlins prospects performed.

Kyle Jensen, OF
.330/.390/.593 (30-for-91), 15 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 6 BB, 23 SO, 1-for-1 SB

After hitting 24 home runs during the regular season, Jensen continued to display tremendous power in the AFL. He ultimately led the league in home runs and earned a berth to the AFL Top Prospects Team. He also improved on his 31 percent strikeout rate from Double-A, striking out in 24 percent of plate appearances.

Christian Yelich, OF
.301/.343/.387 (28-for-93), 13 R, 6 2B, 1 3B, 5 BB, 17 SO, 3-for-4 SB

Despite his substandard performance, Yelich was also named to the AFL Top Prospects Team.

Grant Dayton, LHP
10 G, 12.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 7 BB, 18 SO

Dayton struck out an incredible eighteen batters in twelve innings pitched, or 35 percent of batters faced. That figure aligns closely with his numbers in Double-A Jacksonville this past year. He projects as a solid relief pitcher, with the upside of a setup man.

Jacob Realmuto, C
.221/.349/.369 (5-for-20), 1 R, 1 2B, 4 BB, 8 SO, 1-for-1 SB

Much to my dismay, Realmuto's regular season frustrations continued in the Arizona Fall League. The 21-year-old catcher walked in an impressive 16 percent of plate appearances, but struggled to make consistent contact.

Jake Marisnick, OF
.314/.380/.457 (22-for-70), 9 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 3 BB, 20 SO, 5-for-7 SB

While Marisnick's triple slash line looks respectable, it hides a statistically wonky performance. The newly acquired outfield prospect struck out an uncharacteristically high 25 percent of the time, while benefiting from a .420 batting average on balls in play. Additionally, he was hit by the pitcher five times in just nineteen games.

Michael Brady, RHP
9 G, 12.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 9 SO

Brady has never had much trouble putting up excellent numbers during his professional career, so it's no surprise he continued to do so in the AFL. The Marlins have shown a strong reluctance to promote the 25-year-old right-hander, despite his rock solid statistics and advanced age. He will likely start next year in Double-A or Triple-A.

Scott McGough, RHP
2 GS, 9 G, 16.0 IP, 2 ER, 12 H, 6 BB, 8 SO

Acquired in the Hanley Ramirez trade, Scott McGough is an interesting relief prospect. While only striking out eight batters in sixteen innings pitched, he finished with the second best earned-run average of any pitcher in the AFL. His mid-90s fastball and reliable slider should translate well to the upper minors next year.

Yordy Cabrera, SS
.286/.308/.349 (18-for-63), 8 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 BB, 15 SO

Cabrera failed to display and indication of improvement during his stint in the AFL. He walked twice in sixty-five plate appearances and showed almost no power. I don't have much faith in his bat at this stage. The only factor keeping Cabrera relevant today is his second-round pedigree.