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Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send 30 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Marlins fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.
The good news is the Marlins have won nine of their past 13 games; it’s arguably the best two-week stretch of performance for the major league club under new ownership. The bad news is they’ve been the worst team in the National League overall this season with zero viable All-Star candidates outside of Caleb Smith. The ultimate goal of World Series contention still seems lightyears away.
Well, next week is a critical step for the Fish to close the gap between themselves and their competition. Derek Jeter and his front office have traversed the United States to identify their preferred 2019 MLB Draft prospects, with a special emphasis on the No. 4 overall pick.
The latest feedback from our FanPulse respondents shows more than two-thirds of you (68%) putting your trust in the Marlins’ top decision-makers:
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If you haven’t already formed an opinion on who should be selected with this highly anticipated first-rounder, our own Hector Rodriguez put in the legwork. Scouting reports and highlights included for eight top talents.
In addressing the media at Marlins Park on Wednesday, Jeter and vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo hinted at the obvious: they are leaning toward position players.
Further down the road, the 2019-20 international amateur signing period opens on July 2. That process is similarly important though entirely disconnected from the draft...for now.
In the best interest of protecting the Latin American players from shady/dangerous conditions, 74% of fans surveyed nationally would prefer making them draft eligible alongside domestic prospects:
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Lastly, Don Mattingly received 51% approval from Marlins fans this week, down from 58% the previous week. On Thursday, Mattingly endured his 300th loss with the Fish—he’s the first manager in franchise history to reach that “milestone.”
More polling and illustrations next week! Sign up here to give us a balanced representation of the Marlins fanbase.