New additions to the Miami Marlins MLB top 30

The Miami Marlins were slow to start making moves in during the hot stove. But they have been wheeling and dealing lately, and have already improved the farm.

As it turns out, Dee Gordon brought back players that MLB.com regards more highly than those Giancarlo Stanton returned. The Miami Marlins sent the Seattle Mariners Dee Gordon, and in exchange received three players.

While Stanton returned their most highly rated prospect, Jorge Guzman, the other they returned failed to crack the top 30. (Give it time, though, Jose Devers is learning how to play professional baseball very quickly).

All of these moves have led to a vastly different looking MLB top 30 for the Miami Marlins.

Just how high these moves bolster the Miami farm system as a whole remains to be seen. But so far, the moves they’ve made in the offseason are doing wonders for their top 30. Once considered a laughing stock, the Marlins are pulling themselves up to respectability in the minor leagues.

All this, and they haven’t traded away their biggest bargaining chip: Marcell Ozuna. When that trade inevitably comes, they should land several major prospects. If they make the right deal, there will be a new starting pitcher at the top of overall top 30 list.

Let’s take a look at the newest additions to the list.

No. 28, Caleb Smith, LHP

This was one of the silent deals the Miami Marlins made this offseason, but it might be the one with the most immediate impact. Caleb Smith was acquired from the Yankees in an earlier trade this offseason.

The Yankees were still trying to sway Shohei Ohtani, and Miami picked him up for international signing money. A free player, for all intents and purposes.

Smith can pop the glove as high as 96 miles per hour with his fastball, and works in a plus changeup. His breaking ball needs further development before it can be considered an out pitch to major league hitters.

What’s most exciting is that Smith figures to compete for a spot out of spring training this year. He should vie for a spot in the rotation. If the Miami Marlins trade Dan Straily this offseason, he’ll have a very good chance of nabbing one of them.

No. 12, Christopher Torres, SS

Christopher Torres could be the answer the Miami Marlins have been looking for up the middle. He is already a plus defender, and coaches and scouts rave about his work ethic. That combination could make for a gold glove caliber defender in time.

But he isn’t all leather and no wood. Torres is a switch-hitter, though he is far more comfortable from the left side of the plate. With his above average speed, many times it’s just a matter of putting the bat on the ball and beating the throw to the base.

Torres won’t ever become a home run hitting machine, especially playing in the spacious confines of Marlins Park. But the big gaps in the outfield should yield a lot of doubles and triples once he arrives.

He’s still a ways away from conceivably making a push for the big league club, but 2019 seems possible. 2020 is a likelier arrival date, though.

No. 3, Jorge Guzman, RHP

The prize of the trades so far. Gary Denbo hand-selected Jorge Guzman from the New York Yankees system. He absolutely lights up the gun, and maintains his velocity deep into starts. I did a write-up of him earlier this week, check that out for more details.

But in short, his velocity lives in the 97-102 miles per hour range. Refinements in his delivery suggest that he will be able to maintain that speed, and remain injury free for a long time. His breaking pitches have also come a long way.

At the Winter Meetings on Monday, GM Michael Hill says he believes Guzman has the ability to be a “front-line ace”. Denbo has now been involved in two trades that brought Guzman to an organization that he was a part of.

He traded for Guzman in a deal that sent Brian McCann to the Houston Astros, and now in the trade for Giancarlo Stanton. That’s not a coincidence. And Denbo, a renown talent evaluator, is obviously very high on him.

Next: Miami Marlins expected to be active at Winter Meetings

The Miami Marlins are in full-on rebuild mode. Early moves have already started changing the face of the organization. They’re getting younger, and building towards a brighter future. Get on board, there are stars on this list, and more are to come.