Miami Marlins Prospect Watch: Spotlight on Luis Palacios

The Miami Marlins series closer against the Atlanta Braves was cancelled by rain. So were three of their affilates games.

The Greensboro Grasshoppers had a doubleheader against the Rome Braves cancelled, while the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp had to cancel their contest against the Mobile BayBears. None of the games will be rescheduled.

One of four games in the Miami Marlins system took place in Boca Chica, in the Dominican Republic. That’s where Luis Palacios showed everyone what the fuss is all about. He does it almost every time he goes out.

Palacios struck six of the 15 batters he faced out over five full shutout perfect innings. The Marlins in total only surrendered one hit in their 1-0 shutout of the DSL Athletics, but Palacios is special. Signed to a free agent deal during the 2016 international free agent signing period, he made his debut last season for DSL.

Born on July 1st, 2000, the Cagua, Venezuela native is a 6’2″, 160 lb. left-hander. Last year, Palacios started four times and came out of the bullpen another 11 times. In 46 2/3 innings, he allowed 14 earned runs on 38 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 43. He kept opponents to a .215 batting average and a 1.14 WHIP, going 4-0.

Still just 17 at the start of his second professional season, Palacios has upped the ante in almost all of his appearances. Again posting a 4-0 record, he’s started in three-of-11 appearances for the DSL Marlins. He’s surrendered 23 hits in 46 2/3 innings, for a .147 opposing batting average. He also has given up only three walks against 43 strikeouts for an DSL-second-best 0.56 WHIP over a not-small sample size. His 0.96 ERA ranks fifth in the DSL amongst qualified pitchers. Each of his metrics leads the DSL Marlins.

I can’t see any way to keep this guy at the DSL level next season, in fact, I think the Marlins minor league coordinator should skip him up to the Greensboro Grasshoppers at his first opportunity.

Other Standouts from Wednesday

Sean Reynolds

Reynolds batted third for the Batavia Muckdogs and went two-for-four with a double, a homer, and two RBI. Batavia won that one over the State College Spikes, 5-4.

Jeff Brigham

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Brigham earned no decision for the New Orleans Baby Cakes in his 3 2/3 inning start. He allowed two earned runs on two hits and four walks, but also struck out six and still maintains a 2.42 ERA for the season. The Baby Cakes lost to the El Paso Chihuahuas, 4-3.

Anfernee Seymour

Seymour led off for the Jupiter Hammerheads in their 8-4 loss to the Fort Myers Miracle, and went two-for-five with a single, a triple, a run, and an RBI.

Humberto Mejia

Mejia started and earned no-decision for the Muckdogs, allowing one run on three hits and three walks in four innings. He also struck out three.

Tyler Kolek

In Tyler Kolek’s best outing so far, he limited the Spikes to a hit and two walks in three innings, striking out one and allowing an unearned run. Kolek earned the victory, his first since June 15, 2015 with the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

Eliezer Rodriguez

Also pitching for DSL, Rodriguez struck out three and allowed three walks in three innings. He gave up the only hit of the day to the DSL Athletics.

Joe Gunkel

Pitching for the Baby Cakes, Gunkel struck out three in 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

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