Marlins Minor League Report: May 27-June 2

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 June 3.

Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes (4-3, 32-26 overall)

After beginning the week 0-2, the Baby Cakes then went on to win four of their next five games to conclude the week. Unfortunately, their offense went through a little drought, as they were held to just four runs through their first three games of the week. Thankfully, the Cakes’ offense was then able to produce a combined 20 runs through their final four games to end the week.

For the third week in a row, the New Orleans pitching staff continued to pitch lights out. Their staff held the opposition to three runs or fewer in five of their seven games. The Baby Cakes currently own the 2nd-best team ERA throughout the PCL.

Outstanding Player: Zac Gallen

The No. 18 Marlins prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Zac Gallen was dominant once again in his start against the Iowa Cubs. The 23-year-old went 6 ²⁄₃ innings, and struck out eight batters, while allowing just a single run via the long ball. The former third-round MLB Draft selection from 2016 is continuing to justify the Marlins’ decision to trade Marcell Ozuna to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gallen owns the best WHIP and highest strikeout total in the PCL. When it comes to ERA, he only trails teammate Elieser Hernandez.

Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (4-2, 23-33 overall)

Similar to the Baby Cakes, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp also began this past week with dropping their first pair of games. However, the Jumbo Shrimp were able to finish on a four-game winning streak. That’s in large part due to their offense waking up, recording an average of seven runs/game during those wins.

Consistency was an issue for the Jumbo Shrimp’s pitching staff once again. Just like last week, the arms put this team in a position to win in four of their six games. However, their staff was then tagged for six runs in back-to-back games to conclude the week.

Outstanding Player: Brian Miller

The No. 14 Marlins prospect Brian Miller continues to be an RBI machine for the Jumbo Shrimp this season. The 36th pick from 2017 draft added five more RBI this past week to add to his team-leading total of 23 for the season. He went 10-for-25 (.400 BA).

With Magneuris Sierra now up in New Orleans, Miller currently leads the team in AVG, OBP, SLG and OPS. He is also coming into this week on a 14-game hitting streak, which is the longest throughout Double-A.

High-A Jupiter Hammerheads (4-2, 17-36 overall)

The Jupiter Hammerheads have given us something positive to talk about. There should probably be a parade thrown—the Hammerheads weren’t held scoreless in any of their games this past week! Along with the pitching staff holding their opponents to three runs or fewer in four of their six games, this offense finally displayed some life. As they were able to record more than three runs for the first time since May 17.

Outstanding Player: Demetrius Sims

The 23-year-old infielder has quickly risen through the Marlins minor league system. Demetrius Sims showed everyone why he deserved to be promoted to High-A Jupiter during his four games with the Hammerheads. Sims hit 7-for-11 along with a triple, two home runs and seven RBI through his four games.

At this rate, it’s not out of the question that we could see Sims up with the Jumbo Shrimp before the end of the 2019 season.

Low-A Clinton LumberKings (2-4, 28-27 overall)

Unfortunately, the Clinton LumberKings weren’t able to build off of their impressive performance last week. While their offense wasn’t the problem this past week, as they averaged 4.5 runs/game.

The pitching staff was uncharacteristically poor this past week for the LumberKings. Their staff gave up a mind-blowing 38 runs through their six games this past week. They also surrendered an average of 8.5 runs/game in the four games that they lost.

Disappointing Player: Chris Vallimont

It’s crazy with how things change so rapidly within the game of baseball. Just a week ago, we were debating if Chris Vallimont should be promoted up to the Hammerheads. But now, we may have to wait a little longer for that based off of the fifth-round pick’s latest start.

Vallimont surrendered five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks through just 1 ²⁄₃ innings.

Last week on the Fish Stripes podcast, Clinton pitching coach Mark DiFelice offered more specifics about the 22-year-old’s pitch mix and maturation.