Marlins Minor League Report: May 6-12

Each week, Fish Stripes will be recapping the past week’s performances throughout the Marlins minor league system. Highlighting the players who either had an outstanding week, or one they would like to put behind them.

All stats updated entering May 13.

Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes (3-4, 19-18 overall)

Despite their losing record this past week, the New Orleans Baby Cakes performed quite well. They were able to get off to such a great start to the week by winning two of their three games, and only allowing three total runs through those games. However, the Baby Cakes then had to rely on their offense during their reaming four games.

After surrendering just three runs in three games to start the week, the New Orleans pitching staff went on to give up a combined 28 runs to end the week. Thankfully, their offense was able to keep them in those games as the Baby Cakes lost by no more than two runs in any of their losses.

Outstanding Player: Austin Dean

Dean was optioned to Triple-A last month solely for defensive issues; he has nothing left to prove with the bat. The 25-year-old homered on three straight nights, posting a jaw-dropping 1.283 OPS while playing all seven scheduled games. Fans are (understandably) frustrated that Dean remains down on the farm while the major league club is in a free fall.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Brigham

A call-up to Miami last September, the 25th-ranked Marlins prospect continues to perform well in a late-inning relief role. Brigham worked 3 ²⁄₃ scoreless frames this past week and hasn’t allowed any hits all month (6.2 IP). Keep in mind, he is already on the Marlins 40-man roster. It wouldn’t be shocking to see him return to The Show in the near future.

Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (3-4, 13-24 overall)

It feels like this has been the same story almost every week so far this season. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp once again got very little production from their offense this past week. The offense was held scoreless in two of their seven games, and combined to average just 2.7 runs/game on the week. The Jumbo Shrimp have been held scoreless in five out of their 12 this month.

While the pitching hasn’t been perfect, they allowed an acceptable average of 3.4 runs/game last week. That would normally give their team a very good chance at winning.

Disappointing Player: John Silviano

The 24-year-old Silviano went 3-for-24 this past week, along with 10 strikeouts and zero free walks to first base. While Silviano did hit a home run, his high amount of strikeouts were a big factor in the Jumbo Shrimp struggling with RISP this past week (10-for-44). Dating back to 2018, Silviano is a .161/.254/.298 hitter with 66 strikeouts in 55 Double-A games. He could be in line for reduced playing time if this continues much longer.

High-A Jupiter Hammerheads (2-4, 11-23 overall)

The Jupiter Hammerheads continued their struggling woes through this past week. With few exceptions, their offense still has yet to emerge so far this season.

Just when you thought this offense couldn’t struggle any more than it did last week, they proved us all wrong with their performance this past week. The Hammerheads offense produce a total of 11 runs over their six games this past week, which averages out to an embarrassing 1.8 runs/game, down from their already-low average of 3.0 runs/game from last week.

Disappointing Player: Isael Soto

Isael Soto is this week’s disappointing player from the Hammerheads. The 22-year-old outfielder hit 2-for-22 with 11 strikeouts and just a single walk. Soto did have a pair of RBI this past week that did add to his team-leading 14 RBI. Much like Jacksonville, Jupiter isn’t executing when they need it most (9-for-50 with RISP).

Low-A Clinton LumberKings (2-4, 17-17 overall)

Unfortunately, the Clinton LumberKings were inconsistent once again this past week. This week it was their offense that was cause for the losing record. The LumberKings’ offense produced 18 runs in their first four games this past week, but they then scored just three runs over their final two games of the week.

The LumberKings pitching staff was significantly more consistent compared from last week. Their staff held the opposing teams to three runs or less in four out of their six games, and they surrendered an average of just 3.5 runs/game as well.

Outstanding Player: Jerar Encarnación

Jerar Encarnación has been the LumberKings best hitter so far this season, and he showed exactly why with his performance this past week. The 21-year-old went 6-for-17 along with a home run, four RBI and a walk over the five games he appeared in. With his performance this past week, Encarnación now leads the Midwest League in RBI, and is tied for second in home runs.

Encarnación has not been placed on the injured list yet, though he did hurt his left foot sliding into home plate on Thursday. The LumberKings will presumably be cautious with him.