Marlins Continue to Build Through Minor Leagues
After an offseason that started with changing the culture of the Miami Marlins, the return from several trades new owner Derek Jeter made is starting to pay off.
The Miami Marlins continue to use the minor leagues as its feeder system for the future of this organization.
“No team experienced a steeper drop in experience and offensive firepower in their outfield than the Marlins after trading Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, and Marcell Ozuna in a matter of weeks,” writes Andre C. Fernandez of the Miami Herald.
Now, with rookies and young stars learning to play with cohesion, there is a belief the method to owner Derek Jeter’s madness is paying off. Led by Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Anderson, these Marlins have shown life lately.
The current series with the Washington Nationals notwithstanding.
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The Marlins farm system was considered one of the worst, if not the worst in all of baseball last season. Now, through shrewd moves and solid positioning, this is one of the better minor league organizations in MLB.
You can thank Gary Denbo, the Director of Player Development and Scouting for the Marlins, for helping Jeter find the right mix of youth and experience on the current roster.
This is an organization, much like the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves that will struggle before it finds its way. Two of those franchises have won World Series rings in the past two seasons. The other two could be contenders for years to come.
Miami has now amassed a healthy amount of young pitching to fill its staff or use as trade options to acquire a big bat if needed. There are depth and speed in the outfield on all three levels of the minor league system.
Most of all, MLB executives know this is a team to watch in the next couple of years. Right now, this is a roster of “potential” but could be a team of strength – should all the puzzle pieces fit.
The blueprint Jeter spoke of last season before he bought the team doesn’t look as off the wall as it did. The veterans on the roster have bought into the plan. There may be some changes or alterations because of possible trades, but that only means more opportunity for rookies to make an impact earlier rather than later.
Miami is poised for a future run to the playoffs with outfielders Connor Scott, Lewis Brinson, and Monte’ Harrison. They also have strong arms in Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, and Nick Neidert.
If anything, based on the deals Jeter completed before the start of Spring Training, the future is bright in South Florida. The youth in the minor leagues could be the best in baseball when all is said in a couple of years.
Marlins fans have Jeter and Denbo to thank for that.