Matt Eddy of Baseball America draws our attention to the dismissal of seven players from the Marlins farm system (subscription required). The following prospects were released last week:
- LHP Karl Craigie
- RHP Max Duval
- RHP Evan Estes
- RHP Javier García
- RHP Chevis Hoover
- RHP Ryan McKay
- OF John Norwood
All seven had been acquired under previous Marlins ownership.
The 26-year-old Norwood certainly stick outs from this group. Earlier in his career, the Vanderbilt University alum was regarded as a Top 30 prospect in the organization by both BA and MLB Pipeline. He enjoyed a career year in 2017 with the Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, slashing .285/.367/.459 (141 wRC+) as their everyday right fielder.
But Norwood failed to impress at the plate when repeating Double-A (.242/.313/.351, 91 wRC+). It doesn’t help that the Marlins buried him on the depth chart behind fellow outfielders Lewis Brinson, Víctor Víctor Mesa, Monte Harrison, Harold Ramírez and Gabriel Guerrero, just to name a few.
At least his strong throwing arm should help him land another opportunity soon.
John Norwood did WHAT❓ pic.twitter.com/2SiGX9nqgC
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) May 21, 2018
Jacksonville teammate Max Duval did not build a strong case to stick around, either. The converted position player logged 88 innings at a 7.16 ERA and 6.33 FIP this past season.
On the other hand, he was revered in that clubhouse and refreshingly honest in telling Fish Stripes about his unorthodox journey.
Please join us in wishing all these guys the best of luck in continuing their baseball careers.