Our Noticias, 6/17/20: Black Lives Matter; MLB broadcast survey; Miami Marlins Foundation raffle

Fighting for equality

I encourage any white Marlins fans reading this to watch these interviews with president of baseball operations Michael Hill on WPLG Local 10 and right-hander Sterling Sharp on the MLB YouTube channel. Both do well to articulate the systemic discrimination that black men face in America and they’re determined to harness the nation’s outrage into meaningful change.

Undrafted updates

Infielder Brett Norwood from Virginia Commonwealth University became the Marlins’ second undrafted free agent pick-up (and eighth amateur addition overall). Florida State left-hander Antonio Velez was their first UDFA on Sunday.

Mason McRae of Prospects 365 broke the Norwood news and passes along this scouting report:

Talented & athletic third baseman, possibly plus defender with easy feel for the position though he played shortstop in his senior season because of VCU’s 2019 shortstop (Zac Ching) getting drafted. Norwood is a below average hitter, though he’s a threat on the basepaths and usually a tough out thanks to plate. Has gap power and a contact-first approach, dealt with injuries in his senior season while also shifting to a new (and more difficult) position—and struggled in response. Possible move back to third base or a move back to second base could help him get back on his feet though the bat lags behind as well.

Fish Stripes original GIF

Keep our tracker open in one of your browser tab and refresh it a few times daily as the Marlins continue to add to their organizational depth.

Growing pains for Sev and Holly

The Athletic

Corey Brock unveils the detailed findings of The Athletic’s 2020 MLB broadcast survey (subscription required). The FOX Sports Florida crew’s 3.37 overall rating—on a scale of 1-5—was third-worst in the majors, only ahead of the Rockies and Tigers. Field reporting by Jessica Blaylock and Kelly Saco was ranked as the broadcast’s best component, according to fan voters.

As Brock accurately notes in the article, “it sure seems like a lot of Marlins fans still miss the duo of Tommy Hutton and Rich Waltz, who could make up for a poor on-field product with lively broadcasts.” Earlier this year, both Hutton and Waltz were elected in our inaugural Fish Stripes Marlins Hall of Fame class.

Paul Severino and Todd Hollandsworth are heading into their third season together.

Walk-off links

• The Miami Marlins Foundation 50/50 raffle is back. The lucky winner takes home half of the net proceeds while the rest of us help with the South Florida community’s COVID-19 response. Enter by 9 a.m. ET on June 23.
• Numerous active Marlins, including Miguel Rojas, Sandy Alcantara, Caleb Smith, Isan Díaz and Jon Berti, have used social media to amplify the players’ union rallying cry that they’re ready to begin the season when and where the league asks them to.
• Marlins Park has been opened for individual player workouts. Smith, Jordan Yamamoto and Lewis Brinson all took the field on Tuesday.
• Fun stories and some extraordinary memorabilia on display during Monday’s episode of Intentional Talk with Kevin Millar and guest Mike Lowell (former Marlins teammates).

• Keith Law of The Athletic believes that Max Meyer is already the best pitching prospect in the Marlins organization (I personally have Meyer behind both Sixto Sánchez and Edward Cabrera).
• Marlins fifth-rounder Kyle Hurt was “starting to figure some things out” prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to USC coach Jason Gill. Watch Hurt’s reaction to being drafted (h/t Adam Jackman, Annenberg Media).