Marlins Prospect Nick Wittgren Garnering Attention

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Marlins continue to have prospects that are making waves in the minor leagues, and the latest one is RHP Nick Wittgren. Former big league scout Bernie Pleskoff now writes for MLB.com and has some glowing things to say about the young right-hander.

"I saw Wittgren pitch for the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Fall League this season. He was among the best pitchers in the league. Wittgren was dependable, focused and extremely effective and reliable at the back end of the bullpen."

Pleskoff goes on to talk about Wittgren’s potential as an eventual closer for a big league club. He loves his mechanics, and believes that he will continue to climb the ladder in the Marlins’ farm system. If this quote from Pleskoff doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will.

"Rarely have I found a pitcher with such consistently fine statistics and results in so many mechanical pitching components. Wittgren has shown deception, command, control, repertoire, an ability to strike out hitters, and most importantly, he can slam the door on the opposition at the end of the game."

Many people have been talking about the addition of Carter Capps as a potential replacement for closer Steve Cishek down the road. If Wittgren continues to display dominance this season, he could find himself in the mix for a relief role in 2015. As it stands right now, if Wittgren can pitch well as a set-up man in 2015, he could be tapped as the closer for 2016, regardless of Capps performance.

Granted all this is certainly a long way down the road, and many things could happen that can derail even the best laid plans, but look for Wittgren to be a top 10 prospect by the time this season comes to an end. I would like him to start out in double A Jacksonville again this year, with a move to New Orleans after a couple of months. With this type of talent in the minor leagues, it is only a matter of time before Miami is in the playoff chase once again.