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Prospects within the same tier are largely interchangeable—considering their ceiling, floor, injury risk, position, room for development, ability to adjust and intangibles, I expect them to have similar career value.
The notes below were last updated on July 12, 2022.
13) 1B Lewin Díaz
There is so much to like about what Lewin Díaz does at the plate and with his glove, but the Marlins haven’t made him a priority. It took significant injuries to both Jesús Aguilar and Garrett Cooper to get him regular playing time in late 2021. Rather than trade one of them over the winter, they ran it back with the 30-something sluggers and continue to block Díaz from contributing, so he’s repeating a level that has little else to teach him.
I still like Díaz’s abilities, but the Marlins’ handling of him has been detrimental to his career. He will not have any minor league options beyond this season.
14) OF Victor Mesa Jr.
Acquired via international free agency in 2018
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .257/.342/.386, 103 wRC+ in 280 PA (A+)
Current level: High-A
2022 is age-20 (turns 21 on September 8)
15) OF Jerar Encarnación
Encarnación emerged as a consensus Top 30 Marlins prospect in early 2019 and stayed that way entering last season. But he struggled in his introduction to Pensacola—time lost due to injuries and the demands of learning a new position (1B) didn’t help.
In 2022, he dominated the Southern League, lowering his strikeout rate from 38.1% to 25.7%. Encarnación’s already-impressive batted ball quality has gone up a notch, too. He can spray no-doubt home runs in all directions.
Players with his extra-large frame (currently listed at 245 pounds) do not typically have lengthy careers. Making it through all of his arbitration years without being non-tendered would be a pleasant surprise. At the very least, you can bank on him enjoying some torrid stretches at the plate.
16) INF Cody Morissette
Acquired via MLB Draft in 2021
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .224/.308/.418, 101 wRC+ in 302 PA (A+)
Current level: High-A
2022 is age-22 season
17) C Ronald Hernández
Acquired via international free agency in 2021
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .204/.310/.306, 78 wRC+ in 58 PA (Rk)
Current level: Rookie (FCL)
2022 is age-18 season
18) RHP Zach McCambley
Acquired via MLB Draft in 2020
2022 MiLB stats entering July: 5.86 ERA, 5.43 FIP, .226 BAA in 55.1 IP (AA)
Current level: Double-A
2022 is age-23 season
Hard to comprehend that somebody with such a tremendous breaking ball could have a strikeout rate far below average while pitching in a familiar league.
McCambley’s control must rebound for him to be a rotation candidate moving forward. His highest strike percentage in any 2022 outing is only 63%.
19) C Joe Mack
Acquired via MLB Draft in 2021
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .308/.438/.615, 197 wRC+ in 16 PA (A)
Current level: Low-A (injured list, hamstring)
2022 is age-19 season
20) C Paul McIntosh
Acquired via nondrafted free agency in 2021
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .280/.394/.513, 140 wRC+ in 226 PA (AA)
Current level: Double-A
2022 is age-24 season
McIntosh’s batted ball quality is fantastic and I think he can be at least an emergency catching option for a major league team, if not a bonafide backup.
21) OF Griffin Conine
Acquired via trade in 2020
2022 MiLB stats entering July: .266/.381/.500, 131 wRC+ in 265 PA (AA)
Current level: Double-A
2022 is age-24 season (turned 25 on July 11)
Conine’s strikeout rate this season is almost identical to what he put up at Low-A in 2019 and High-A in 2021. It’s hideous...and yet the immense production from all of his other plate appearances is overriding that nagging issue.
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