Marlins Minor League Report: May 20-26

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 27.

Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes (5-2, 28-23 overall)

The New Orleans Baby Cakes were finally able to see their dominance translate into a successful week. Their offense continued to perform as one of the best throughout the entire PCL, even without the services of Austin Dean and Harold Ramírez (both promoted to Miami). They were held to fewer than five runs just once this week, and they were also able to produce nine runs or more in three of their games.

Similar to last week, the Baby Cakes’ pitching staff continued to shut down opposing lineups. Their pitching staff held the opposition to three runs or fewer in four of their five victories.

Outstanding Players: Isan Díaz & Elieser Hernandez

The No. 6 Marlins prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Isan Díaz made history this past week for the Baby Cakes: he is the first player in franchise history to hit a home run in five-straight games. Díaz was mashing baseballs this past week, as he hit 11-for-25 and drove in 10 runs along with his five home runs.

Following his offensive outburst, Díaz now leads the Baby Cakes in both home runs and RBI. (Also, happy birthday to Díaz, who turned 23 on Monday.)

The 24-year-old Hernandez was virtually unhittable once again in his start against the OKC Dodgers. He pitched six innings and surrendered just a single hit and three walks, along with piling up 12 strikeouts.

Hernandez is now pitching with a 1.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 61 strikeouts through his 42 innings pitched. On Monday, the Marlins rewarded his production with a call-up.

Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (4-2, 19-31 overall)

Finally, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp’s offense was able to take advantage of its outstanding starting pitching. Although, their offense was held scoreless twice this past week, they were able to produce a combined 22 runs through their four wins.

The Jumbo Shrimp’s pitching staff didn’t match the previous week’s standards, as they gave up seven runs on two occasions. But, they were still able to provide their team with a chance to win in four of their six games.

Outstanding Player: Jordan Yamamoto

The No. 17 Marlins prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Jordan Yamamoto was outstanding in his first-start this past week. The 23-year-old went seven hitless-innings, and surrendered just a single walk along with setting down four batters on strikes.

He flirted with danger in his next outing on Sunday, but six strikeouts limited the damage. Yamamoto gave up eight hits in four and ²⁄₃ innings, but got out of danger multiple times due to those six strikeouts.

High-A Jupiter Hammerheads (0-7, 13-34 overall)

Well, it’s safe to say this past week couldn’t have gone any worse for the Jupiter Hammerheads. They have now lost nine games in a row, and find themselves with the worst record in the FSL (and all of Minor League Baseball). Once again, the Hammerheads’ offense is solely at fault—they were held to two runs or fewer in six of their seven games this past week, and have now been held to one run or less in 12 of their 23 games played this month.

Disappointing Player: Isael Soto

The 22-year-old outfielder let his team down the most this past week, which has earned him this title of being the most-disappointing player from the Hammerheads. Soto hit just 3-for-24 along with 10 strikeouts and just a pair of walks. He leads the Hammerheads in strikeouts this season, and his expected rise through their minor league system has stalled.

Low-A Clinton LumberKings (6-2, 26-23 overall)

The Clinton LumberKings had arguably their best week of the season yet. They were able to record five or more runs in four of their eight games.

While the offense was impressive, the LumberKings owe this successful week to the pitching staff. Their pitchers were able to hold their opponents to two runs or less in six of their eight games, along with surrendering an average of just 1.3 runs/game in their six victories.

Outstanding Player: Chris Vallimont

A 5th-round draft selection from last year’s draft, Chris Vallimont has been one of the best pitchers in the Midwest League this season. In his two starts this past week, Vallimont pitched a combined 13 innings and only surrendered a hit and a trio of walks. He also recorded a mind-blowing 18 strikeouts.

Vallimont now leads the Midwest league in strikeouts with 70, and seems to be primed for a promotion to the Hammerheads very shortly.