Marlins fall/winter update, Nov. 12-18

A regular Monday feature here at Fish Stripes over the next few months, we’ll do a roundup of storylines, stats and highlights from Marlins players who are staying active this offseason. That includes the top prospects showcasing their skills in the Arizona Fall League, but think internationally, too—the organization has several hispanic players getting extra reps in their home countries.

All the weekly updates will be contained in this thread.

Stats updated through Sunday’s games.

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Impressive rookie Brian Anderson was conspicuously absent from the Marlins rebranding campaign, unavailable to model the new uniforms and engage with the community. At least he had a good excuse!

BA married his longtime girlfriend Alex Smith on Saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas near the University of Arkansas campus where they both went to school. Several Marlins teammates were in attendance (Austin Dean’s fiancé Sarah Kirby sent out the above tweet).

On behalf of the entire Fish Stripes community, we wish the Andersons a lifetime of happiness together.

Japan All-Star Tour

Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

J.T. Realmuto tapered off after a crazy-hot start to the overseas competition, failing to reach base over the past week. The MLB All-Stars lost their final three games to Samurai Japan, finishing 1-5 in the series overall. Don Mattingly’s bullpen wilted in the later innings on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

It’s very likely that this was Realmuto’s final action in a Marlins uniform. We can still cherish his highlights, though.

Arizona Fall League

The Marlins were represented in the AFL by seven players, including four who are ranked among the organization’s Top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. They spent more than a month as teammates on the Salt River Rafters (1-3 record last week, 16-14 record overall). Here are their final individual stats:

2B/SS Bryson Brigman: .257/.325/.257 in 18 G

RHP Tommy Eveld: 7.2 IP, 9.39 ERA, 6 K

OF Monte Harrison: .290/.383/.348 in 19 G

RHP Kyle Keller: 11.1 IP, 4.76 ERA, 14 K

OF/DH Brian Miller: .269/.342/.299 in 24 G

RHP Chad Smith: 9.2 IP, 7.45 ERA, 5 K

RHP Jordan Yamamoto: 26.0 IP, 2.08 ERA, 27 K

Salt River Rafters stats via MiLB.com

AFL Championship Game performances from Saturday are not included in those numbers.

Starting in center field, Monte Harrison went 1-for-4 with an RBI single. He also cut off a ball in the left-center gap in the ninth inning, unleashing a strong throw to second base that would’ve earned him an outfield assist if replay review was allowed.

Jordan Yamamoto completed four adventurous innings, pitching around traffic in each of those frames thanks to six strikeouts. The right-hander issued five walks, something he’s never done before in a professional appearance. Even so, it caps of a spectacular year:

Both Harrison and Yamamoto are locks to be added to the Marlins 40-man roster before Tuesday’s deadline, protecting them from the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Michael Picardi has a more detailed AFL recap.

Dominican Winter League

The Marlins still haven’t confirmed the deal, but Gabriel Guerrero—son of Wilton, nephew of Vladimir and cousin of Vlad Jr.—signed with the organization. Toolsy yet undisciplined at the plate entering his age-25 season, Guerrero could crack the Opening Day roster as a placeholder if young outfielders like Víctor Víctor Mesa, Monte Harrison and Magneuris Sierra require more minor league development time.

So that means we’ll keep tabs on his winter league adventures the rest of the way. Through 18 games with Estrella Orientales, Guerrero is slashing .274/.274/.438 with 16 strikeouts and zero(!) walks.

Jarlin García is on the verge of beginning his winter league campaign. Although a longshot for a rotation spot on the 2019 Marlins, García can help his case by succeeding over the next month. He worked exclusively out of the bullpen for the Toros during the past two seasons (12 total appearances).

The team confirmed that he’ll be added to their roster this week.

Venezuelan Winter League

Just one new appearance from right-hander Jorgan Cavanerio for Tiburones de la Guaira (1.0 IP on Nov. 15), but the overall trend is encouraging. He has shut out opponents so far in November over 5 ²⁄₃ innings pitched .

Puerto Rican Winter League

Filling the void left by the end of the AFL season, welcome to the Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico! Their 36-game campaign began on Thursday.

Isan Diaz (Gigantes de Carolina) is being utilized as a starting second baseman and leadoff hitter, slashing .333/.400/.333 through five contests. Like Harrison and Yamamoto, it’s just a matter of hours until the well-regarded prospect is placed on the 40-man.

Yadiel Rivera (Indios de Mayagüez) returns to the island for the seventh straight winter. He now has 128 career games of experience in the league.