Introduction to Marlin Maniac’s Miami Marlins Top 20 Prospects List

The Miami Marlins farm system is not as strong in 2015 as it has been in the past for the franchise, but that doesn’t mean their farm system isn’t important, nor is it completely barren. With plenty of young talent already sitting in the majors for the ballclub, they don’t necessarily need star power to help them in the immediate future.

Coverage of the Marlins farm system is something I’ve really enjoyed doing over the past three seasons, since I took over as editor at the site. I usually post 3-4 prospect lists a year, one before the season, one after the draft, one after the trade deadline, and usually one at the end of the season (I didn’t get to it this year).

Over the past few days, we’ve taken a good look at both MLB.com and Keith Law’s top 100 prospects lists, as well as Law’s top 10 prospect list for the Marlins. We are still anticipating two more lists, one from the heralded John Sickels of Minor League Ball, and the other from MLB.com, ranking the Marlins top prospects individually.

Making a prospect list is not an exact science, as prospects are extremely volatile and it’s hard to predict what a certain prospect will do as he matures.

In fact, from my top 20 prospect list from a season ago, all the top three is no longer on the Marlins, and 11 of the top 20 prospects will not be on this year’s list, either due to their stock dropping or being traded.

The team dealt the number 2 and 3 prospects in Colin Moran and Jake Marisnick to the Astros for Jarred Cosart and others in July. Other top 10 guys, Brian Flynn, Andrew Heaney, and Anthony DeSclafani were dealt in separate deals to land Aaron Crow, Dee Gordon, and Mat Latos.

Arquimedes Caminero was designated for assignment last week to make room for Ichiro Suzuki and is unlikely to return to the team.

More from Marlins Prospects

Starting tomorrow, I’ll start to unveil my top 20 prospect list for the Miami Marlins. We’ll start with the prospects that just missed the cut for the list, with some interesting names.

There will also be some interesting twists when we get to the top 10, as many people will be surprised where I rank a prospect some regard as the best in the Marlins organization.

A lot of time and effort has gone into making this list and I cannot wait to start sharing it with you guys. These lists have gotten great feedback each of the two years I have done them, and for that reason it will be back in 2015.

Next: Marlins, Shields Remain in Talks