Marlins Minor League Report: August 5-11

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

All stats updated entering August 12.

Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes (3-3, 63-54 overall)

As expected, the New Orleans Baby Cakes’ offense took a step backwards from their impressive production last week with average results through their six games. They produced 4.3 runs/game, which is a major decline from their average of 9.5 runs/game from a week ago.

The pitching staff had a very inconsistent performance this past week. Their staff allowed just eight runs through half of their games, but then gave up a combined 28 runs during the other half.

Disappointing Player: Robert Dugger

The No. 24 Marlins prospect per MLB Pipeline, Robert Dugger continues to perform terribly with the Baby Cakes since his midsummer promotion. Dugger went 4 ²⁄₃ innings and surrendered four runs on nine hits in what was his first start since being sent back down from the Marlins. After being shell-shocked during his major league debut, this past week was more of the same.

The former 18th-round draft pick from 2016 now owns a 9.15 ERA and 1.98 WHIP through his eight starts at the Triple-A level.

Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (4-2, 58-60 overall)

After beginning this past week 0-2, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp rebounded by concluding the week on a four-game winning streak. The majority of the credit for this should go towards the pitching staff—the arms gave up an average of just 1.8 runs/game through their final four games of the week.

The Jumbo Shrimp’s offense provided very little support, however. Despite two home runs from Lewin Díaz, their offense produced an average of just three runs/game.

Outstanding Player: Jorge Guzman

For the second consecutive week, the No. 17 prospect from the Marlins recorded a dominating performance. Jorge Guzman was unhittable once again (literally), recording six no-hit innings and striking out an insane 13 batters to set a new career high in that category. If you want to nitpick, Guzman did allow four walks during this game, which raised his pitch count to 99 pitches after those six innings.

Guzman has allowed just one hit and combined for 20 strikeouts over his last 13 innings pitched.

Honorable Mention: Daniel Castano

A thrown-in piece of the Marcell Ozuna trade, Castano beat out Guzman for Southern League Pitcher of the Week thanks to a complete-game effort.

Though lacking the major league upside of many fellow Marlins prospects, the lefty’s consistently has been an extremely pleasant surprise—this was his fifth consecutive quality start.

High-A Jupiter Hammerheads (2-4, 46-68 overall)

The Jupiter Hammerheads were plagued by poor weather conditions and disappointing results this past week. After having their first two games postponed due to rain, the Hammerheads then dropped four of their next six games.

Inconsistency from the offense was the main cause for these poor results this past week. They scored a combined 15 runs through two of their games, only to be held scoreless during two of their other games and produced just three runs in their final two games of the week.

Disappointing Player: Braxton Garrett

The No. 8 prospect from the Marlins certainly had a start to forget this past week. Braxton Garrett was chased after just 4 ¹⁄₃ innings after he gave up five runs on eleven hits. This was easily Garrett’s worst start of the season.

Home runs are emerging as a recurring issue for the 22-year-old. Garrett surrendered a pair of home runs and has now given up four over his last three starts. Keeping balls in the yard becomes even more challenging once he graduates from the notoriously low-scoring Florida State League, so let’s see how he adjusts.

Low-A Clinton LumberKings (3-4, 57-54 overall)

The Clinton LumberKings finally put a stop to their seven-game losing streak, but not before being victimized by more poor pitching performances. The team surrendered an average of 5.9 runs/game through their seven games.

The LumberKings didn’t receive much help from their offense, either. After averaging just 3.6 runs/game through five games, at least they finished strong with a combined 19 runs during their other two games.

Outstanding Player: Peyton Burdick

The third-round draft pick by the Marlins during this year’s draft can’t be stopped. Peyton Burdick went on a tear during all seven games, as he hit 13-for-33 (.394 AVG) along with six doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI to claim Midwest League Player of the Week honors. Maybe he can repeat the feat next week?

Overshadowed perhaps by fellow Marlins draftees JJ Bleday and Kameron Misner, Burdick is exceeding expectations and legitimizing himself as a potential contributor long term.

Short Season A Batavia Muckdogs (4-3, 34-23 overall)

The Batavia Muckdogs actually performed quite well despite their average record this past week. Through six of their seven games, the pitching staff gave up an average of just 2.8 runs/game.

Production at the plate is the larger concern as they were held to three runs or fewer through four of their seven games. Their offense then surged for 17 runs during their other three games.

Outstanding Player: Eli Villalobos

The 14th-round pick back in last year’s draft was exceptional in his start against the State College Spikes. Eli Villalobos pitched five scoreless innings and gave up just three hits and tied his career-high with six strikeouts as well.

This was just Villalobos’ sixth start of the season—he’s been mainly utilized out of the bullpen this season. But he’ll likely receive more opportunities to start in games following this outstanding performance.