The Marlins Acquired Some Elite Talent from Detroit

The Marlins recently acquired three talented players, and a draft pick from Detroit for Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante, and a draft pick. None of these prospects are too far from the majors, and they all have some believable upside. Here's a look at the players the Marlins acquired, and when you can expect to see them in Miami.

Jacob Turner, RHP: Jacob Turner is a 6'5'' 220 lb. right-handed pitcher that the Tigers drafted in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2009 MLB Amateur draft. Turner is only twenty-one years old, and he still has a long ways to go to reach his potential. In the last couple years since being drafted, Turner has put on a lot of weight, and as a result, has started to look like he can handle two hundred innings per season. When he was drafted he weighed less than 160 pounds, and was only about 6'2''. In 2010, his first season in the minors, Turner reached High-A, which was unexpected for such a young pitcher. However, Turner has always had impressive control, and he used that to dominate both A ball and High-A. In 2011, the Tigers aggressively promoted Turner to Double-A for the start of the season, where he again posted impressive results. Also in that same season, Turner saw time in Triple-A and the majors. He dominated Triple-A, but struggled in the majors posting a 6.03 FIP in three starts.

This year, Turner was expected to earn a spot in the Tigers rotation out of Spring Training. However, shoulder tendonitis prevented him from making the Detroit rotation. In ten Triple-A starts this year, Turner has a 3.16 ERA and a 40/24 K/BB. Turner only has three starts in the majors, his last of which was Sunday against the White Sox, where he gave up three runs in five innings.

Turner was recorded throwing his fastball up to 98 MPH in high school. Now, he consistently is at 92-93 MPH. The shoulder issues and lack of velocity is slightly concerning, but Turner's scouting reports have barely changed over the last few years. Most talent evaluators still see Jacob Turner as a future #2 or #3 starter. That's a pretty nice pitcher to have in your rotation.

Brian Flynn, LHP: The other pitcher the Marlins acquired is far less polished, but still could be a high-leverage reliever. Similar to Marlins' prospect Charlie Lowell, Flynn attended Wichita State University, and was drafted in 2011. Flynn throws his fastball 93-966 MPH, and has a decent slider. Minor League Ball author John Sickels wrote more about Flynn, and you can find that here. Flynn will report to Double-A, where the Tigers most recently had him.

Rob Brantly, C: Brantly, a left-handed hitting catcher in Triple-A, has burst onto the prospect scene this year, earning a spot as a catcher in the Futures Game. In forty-six games at Double-A this year, Brantly hit .311 with very low strikeout and walk rates. After being promoted to Triple-A, Brantly hit .253 with a .295 OBP. Brantly is never going to hit for much power, but his defense and ability to hit for average could make him a solid starting catcher down the road.

Brantly had no future with Detroit so it really was only a matter of time before they traded him.

On Wednesday, after these players have gotten settled in with their new teams, I will have a new article on what they have looked like, and what more people thought about the trade. The Marlins are really excited about these prospects, and you should be also.