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For the 2016-17 offseason, we counted down the Top 100 all-time Marlins. This offseason, we will instead cast our eyes ahead. I’ll be outlining the Top 100 Marlins prospects, as chosen by you on the ranker.com listing.
Our number 90 prospect, David Vidal, has since the time of the Minor League poll been released. He’s a 5’11”, 185 lb. right-handed infielder from San Juan Puerto Rico. Born on October 23rd, 1989, he was initially selected in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft by the Cincinnati Reds with the 247th overall choice.
Vidal knocked around the Reds organization for a few seasons as a third baseman, and actually hit 20 homers with 85 RBI in 127 games for the Dayton Dragons in 2011. For his troubles, Cincinnati at that time ranked him as their 26th best prospect. The Reds, however, released him in August of 2014.
Vidal spent most of the following two seasons out of affiliated ball, playing in 209 contests for the Somerset Patriots in the Independent Atlantic League. He was especially impressive for Somerset in 2016, when he slashed .320/.413/.633 with 26 homers, 62 RBI, and 66 runs scored in 85 contests. After the 2016 season, the Marlins signed him to a minor league deal.
Vidal joined the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp for the start of the 2017 campaign, and appeared in 107 contests for the double-A outfit. He slashed .285/.365/.439 with 10 homers and 41 RBI. He also spent a month up with the New Orleans Baby Cakes, and was considerably less impressive with a .200/.261/.282 slash line in 24 games.
On May 12th, batting second for the Jumbo Shrimp, Vidal went four-for-four with a double and two runs scored in a 4-3 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers. On June 11th, batting sixth for the Baby Cakes, Vidal collected two singles and a homer to total five RBI as New Orleans lost by a 15-11 final count to the Omaha Storm Chasers.
During his time with the Jumbo Shrimp, Vidal was twice named the Southern League player of the week, for his efforts of the weeks ending April 23rd and July 30th. At the age of 28, it’s unlikely that Vidal will find many takers.