Marlin Maniac’s Top 10 Prospect List Post Trade Deadline

Jun 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (28) and starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (25) talk as they sit on the railing during batting practice prior to a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

1. Andrew Heaney, LHP

Preseason Rank: 1, Post Draft Rank: 1

MLB ETA: 2014

There is no question that Heaney is the Marlins top overall prospect. Yes, he struggled in his stint in the majors. Yes, he has struggled a bit since being demoted back to Triple-A New Orleans, but that does not change the fact that Heaney has shown flashes of the potential he has. There is a reason the Marlins refused to include Heaney in any deals at the July 31st trade deadline.

Despite his 4.34 ERA in New Orleans, Heaney has an impressive 53 strikeouts to 9 walks in 45 2/3 innings. It shouldn’t be long before Heaney dominates the Triple-A level like he the rest of his minor league stops. He’ll likely be back in Miami come September call-up time.

Heaney should be a strong number three starter that has a chance to develop into a number 2 guy.

2. Tyler Kolek, RHP

Preseason Rank: N/A, Post Draft: 2

MLB ETA: 2018

Kolek is working his way back from a back injury he sustained. Kolek featured the best fastball in 2014 MLB draft class and has the potential to be a future ace, alongside Jose Fernandez, with his top notch 100 MPH fastball. If he can develop the rest of his repertoire, he could very well reach his full potential.

Early on, Kolek has had mixed results. He has struck out 23.9% of the hitters he’s face, but also walked 15.2%. Kolek has a 5.23 ERA, but a better looking 3.53 FIP in over 10 innings of work.

What Kolek does the rest of the season isn’t likely to affect his stock. The Marlins are just getting his feet wet at this point, hoping he comes in ready to perform in 2015.

Kolek could top out as a top of the rotation guy.

3. Anthony DeSclafani, RHP

Preseason Rank: 6, Post Draft: 5

MLB ETA: 2014

Desco continues to quietly move up the prospect list for the Fish. He went from being unranked before the 2013 season all the way up to number 3 in this prospect list. The Jays decision to convert him to a starter after he was mainly a reliever as a Florida Gator has paid off for the Marlins.

Like Heaney, DeSclafani didn’t fare well in his first go-around in the big leagues. His 7.40 ERA was a cause for concern for some fans, but he has a 3.09 ERA and a 3.01 FIP at the Triple-A level as of now. If he can keep that kind of production up, he won’t be in the minors for long.

Desco has the ceiling of a number 3 guy longterm, but is more likely to be a 4 at the big league level.

Jun 14, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Jacob Realmuto (60) backs away from an inside pitch as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Chris Stewart (19) catches the ball at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

4. Justin Nicolino, LHP

Preseason Rank: 4, Post Draft: 7

MLB ETA: 2015

Nicolino is back into the top 5 prospect list for Marlin Maniac after taking a bit of a dip in our last ranking. The main reason for his slip was due to his lack of strikeouts. That is still a major concern for Nic, as he has struck out just 60 batters in over 139 innings of work.

The good news is that Nicolino does not walk many batters, either, with just 18 walks on the season. Nicolino is likely to see Triple-A before he gets his chance in the majors, like Heaney and Desco before him. I believe he has proven all that he can at Double-A, so it should probably be a matter of time before he earns his promotion to Triple-A.

Due to his lack of whiffs, I project Nicolino to be a 4/5 innings eater at the MLB level. There’s doubt that he could be a 3/4 guy like the Marlins had envisioned when they acquired him from the Jays.

5. Avery Romero, 2B

Preseason: 9, Post Draft: 9

MLB ETA: 2016

With Moran and Marisnick gone, Romero is the Marlins de-facto top hitting prospect. That is not a bad thing, however, as Romero has a chance to be a special player with his bat.

Despite hitting well on the season (.324 wOBA), we are still waiting to see if Romero can develop some pop with his bat, as his body matures. If he is able to add power to his game, he has a chance to become an All-Star second baseman down the road.

Reports say that Romero has improved his defense at the keystone position, with the Marlins hoping he could be the team’s long term solution at second base.

6. J.T. Realmuto, C

Preseason: 13, Post Draft: 8

MLB ETA: 2014

Realmuto has already seen action at the big league level in 2014, filling in for Jarrod Saltalamacchia when he hit the 7-day concussion DL. That in itself says a lot about how far Realmuto has come from 2013.

Repeating the Double-A level, Realmuto has a .366 wOBA, reinserting himself into the conversation as the catcher of the future for the Fish.  His defense has been a strong point since he converted to the position in 2010, when the Marlins drafted him.

If his bat continues to develop, Realmuto can be an everyday catcher, which would be his ceiling. His floor at this point seems to be a Jeff Mathis type role, with a questionable bat and strong defense behind the plate.

Jun 27, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Brian Flynn (35) throws during the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

7. Adam Conley, LHP

Preseason: 5, Post Draft: 6

MLB ETA: 2015

Conley has been sliding the wrong way during the 2014 season on Marlins prospects lists. He came into the season as the third best Marlins starting pitching prospect, but has slipped down to the fourth best as of now. Inconsistencies and an elbow injury have been major detriments to Conley’s 2014 season.

Conley is currently spending his second stint on the 7-day disabled list with an elbow issue. That is not something the Marlins organization wants to see. When he’s been healthy, he’s posted the lowest strikeout rate of his minor league career and walked the highest amount per nine innings.

As a converted reliever, you have to wonder if the innings have started to take a toll on the left hander and if future remains in the rotation or out of the bullpen. His 6.00 ERA and 4.16 FIP certainly paint that picture, but we’ll just have to wait and see how a healthy Conley looks. That might not happen till 2015.

8. Justin Twine, SS

Preseason: N/A, Post Draft: 10

MLB ETA: 2018

This is a guy that both David and I are high on. Being a former football and track star in high school, you could just imagine the athleticism the kid possess. This is a major reason the Marlins signed him to a slot second round deal of $1.3 million.

Twine has not gotten off to a great start to his pro career, possessing a .231/.279/.346 slash line with just 2 walks and 37 strikeouts in 104 at bats for the Gulf Coast Marlins. None of the numbers should be a major concern just yet for Twine, as he projects to be a longterm project the Marlins need to be patient with.

Scouts are unsure of Twine’s ability to stick at short stop, but with his athleticsm, he should find a defensive home easily, with a switch to center field being in the cards as well.

9. Trevor Williams, RHP

Preseason: 14, Post Draft: 13

MLB ETA: 2015

Williams has spent the entire 2014 season with the Marlins High-A team, the Jupiter Hammerheads. The results for Williams have been positive, for the most part. He owns a 2.67 ERA and a 3.23 FIP for the Hammerheads on the season. His 5.3% walk rate has been his strong suite, but the 16.7% strikeout rare is a concerning number.

Without much more to prove at the High-A level, Williams could soon be taking the spot of Justin Nicolino, once he is promoted to Triple-A. The fasttrack for Williams to the majors is likely as a reliever, but the Marlins will likely stick with him as a starter as long as they possibly can.

Williams has the potential to be a 4/5 guy for the Fish as his ceiling and has the floor of a decent reliever at the big league level. His lack of whiffs likely keeps him from having a higher potential.

10. Brian Flynn, LHP

Preseason: 7, Post Draft: 12

MLB ETA: 2014

Flynn is back in the big leagues, taking the spot of Jacob Turner, who was recently designated for assignment. Flynn actually came to the Marlins in the Anibal Sanchez trade, along with Turner. He is now the Marlins best shot of coming out ahead in that deal.

After a strong 2013 season which helped him soar up the prospect ranks for the Fish, the 2014 season has been unkind to the left hander. He posted a 3.42 FIP in 138 Triple-A innings last season, before falling apart with a 6.44 FIP at the big league level.

In 2014, his FIP has climbed all the way up to 4.83 and it is likely that the Marlins are going to push him as a reliever at the big league level. He for now is a long-man option out of the Marlins pen, but could be the guy sent packing when they likely select right hander Brad Penny‘s contract to start in place of Turner Saturday.

Flynn is another backend option for the Marlins, but could also be a dependable lefty out of the Marlins pen long-term.