Miami Marlins Prospects: Spotlight on Harrison DiNicola

MIAMI, FL - MAY 26: A detailed view of the Memorial Day Miami Marlins hat during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on May 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 26: A detailed view of the Memorial Day Miami Marlins hat during the game against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park on May 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

The Miami Marlins got 41 new players on June 4th through 6th, some out of high school, and some out of college. Harrison DiNicola joins the Marlins after getting selected in the 27th round of the draft out of Texas A&M at Corpus Christi.

Harrison DiNicola, a 5’11”, 210 lb. left fielder from Kemah, TX, was born on April 28th, 1997. He played four seasons of high school ball with Clear Creek High in League City, TX. As a senior, he hit .419 with a .698 slugging percentage, with 12 stolen bases and 42 RBI.

In DiNicola’s first two college seasons, he collected 18 hits in 78 at bats, with six extra base hits for the Islanders. As a junior, he stepped it up to a slashline of .321/.406/.527 over 56 games. He slammed eight homers and totaled 38 RBI, stealing seven bases. He also showed patience at the plate, drawing 32 walks versus 42 strikeouts.

The Miami Marlins spent a 27th round selection on DiNicola on June 6th, with the 807th selection off the board. Five draftees picked 807th overall have made major league appearances. The most prolific of them was outfielder Chris Singleton (9.7 WAR), who hit .273 in 704 career contests after getting drafted by the Houston Astros in 1990.

DiNicola’s teammate, Aaron Hernandez, was also picked in this season’s draft. Hernandez was taken 93rd overall, in the third round by the California Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles and Anaheim.

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DiNicola signed with the Miami Marlins on June 13th, along with a host of other draftees. DiNicola’s slotted bonus value, like all draftees picked in the 11th round and later, was $125,000. The Marlins have him slotted as a first baseman.

Five days after signing, DiNicola joined the GCL Marlins in Jupiter, FL. He posted multi-hit games in three of his first six appearances, collecting a single and a double on each occasion. He was promoted after slashing .304/.429/.435 after a very short look at the Rookie Level.

On June 26th, DiNicola earned a three-level promotion, past the low-A Batavia Muckdogs and the middle-A Greensboro Grasshoppers to the A+ Jupiter Hammerheads. He went 0-for-3 in his only look at that level. The following day, he reported to the Grasshoppers. DiNicola is 0-for-7 in three games with Greensboro, drawing a pair of walks.

DiNicola is not ready for the major leagues as it stands today. With normal progression, we will probably see him get a spring training invite in 2021, with a shot at making the club in 2022.

Next: Can Dan Straily be the Leader of the Miami Marlins Rotation?

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