Miami Marlins: Sickels Reviews Marlins Pre-Season Prospect List

"Aug 9, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado (14) throws a runner out at first against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports 5) Brian Anderson, 2B-3B, Grade B-: Hitting .231/.300/.345 with eight homers, 36 walks, 97 strikeouts in 420 at-bats in High-A. I was very high on him coming out of the University of Arkansas last year but this production is very disappointing. Will need to dig into the final end-of-year scouting reports on this one to determine what went wrong."

Brian Anderson was the Marlins third round pick from a season ago. He was projected to breeze through the minor leagues and be ready for a potential cup of coffee call-up in September of 2016 or even to be ready to compete for the starting third base job in 2017, once Martin Prado‘s contract ran out.

Unfortunately, Anderson has run into a bit of a speed bump this season. He’s posted a .232/.302/.344 slash line now in 2015 in 475 plate appearances at the High-A level. Anderson has just 30 extra base hits on the season, which is a bit disappointing, as that was supposedly his calling card coming out of the University of Arkansas.

He’s struck out in 20% of his plate appearances while walking in just 7.6% of them. Anderson posted ISO’s of .182 and .203 in his two minor league stops last season, Anderson has seen his ISO dip to a lowly .112 this season.

The good news is that the Florida State League is known for being a pitcher friendly league and a lot of prospects struggle at the level. Hopefully that’s the case for Anderson and he makes adjustments at his current level or in Double-A in 2016.

Even with that, the Marlins should not feel too secure with the thinking of Anderson as their solution to the third base problem when Prado is gone.

Next: Top Lefty Prospect?