Miami Marlins Prospect Watch: Spotlight on Connor Grant

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 20: A general view of a baseball during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 20, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 20: A general view of a baseball during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 20, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Connor Grant is the  lesser heralded of the two Connor’s drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2018. He’s trying to make you wonder how he lasted until the 21st round.

Grant is a 6’3″, 195 lb. outfielder from Columbia, SC. Born on November 15th,1996, the right-hander was the Miami Marlins 21st rounder in 2018, 627th overall.

Before his selection, Grant played two seasons of NCAA Division II baseballl with North Greenville College. In 125 games in total, he slashed .343/.402/.563, with 17 home runs, 97 RBI, and 35 stolen bases.

Grant, who signed with the organization for a $75,000 bonus, has appeared in 23 games with the GCL Marlins this year, and gone 17-for-76 from the plate. He’s only got four extra base hits, all doubles, and collected a grand total of four RBI. He also has seven walks and 16 strikeouts. Speed continues to be a strength for Grant, with 14 stolen bases against only one time caught stealing.

Maybe Grant will eventually advance through the system, or maybe he won’t. If he continues to produce like he did yesterday, the Marlins won’t have a choice. Grant batted sixth for GCL, and went three-for-five with a double, two runs, an RBI, and two stolen bases. The Marlins defeated the GCL Cardinals by an 8-4 final.

With normal progression, Grant will get a Spring Training invitation in 2022 and a chance to make the club in 2023.

Here’s more of Miami’s top Thursday performers.

Sandy Alcantara (NO)

Alcantara was masterful in New Orleans’ 1-0 win against the Iowa Cubs on Thursday. Over six innings, he struck out six and limited the Cubs to one single and a pair of walks. He posted a 76 GameScore, getting 54-of-87 pitches in the strike zone.

Justin Twine (JAX)

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp endured a 16-8 drubbing at the hands of the Mississippi Braves on Thursday night, but it didn’t stop the Justin Twine show from an encore performance. Twine has been playing with his hair on fire since joining the Shrimp last month, and boosted his average back to .400 with a three-for-five game batting from the sixth spot in the lineup. He also hit his fourth home run of the season, collecting three RBI in total.

Brian Schales (JAX)

Schales batted cleanup for the Shrimp, and went three-for-three with a walk, two runs, a double, and a pair of RBI.

Will Bradshaw (GCL)

In the GCL Marlins 8-4 victory over the GCL Cardinals, Bradshaw batted seventh in the order and went three-for-five with a run, two stolen bases, and a pair of RBI.

Monte Harrison (JAX)

Batting second for the Shrimp, Harrison hit his 16th homer of the season. He also drew a walk, scored a total of two runs, and stole his 24th base of the season. He’s fast and powerful, but his slashline of .233/.311/.393 is a little low at the double-A level to suggest success in the majors with the Miami Marlins at this time.

More from Marlins Prospects

Marcos Rivera (GSO)

In the first game, Rivera went 0-for-3 and struck out once, batting seventh as the Greensboro Grasshoppers dropped a 5-3 decision. In game two, Rivera batted sixth and hit a single and a three run homer.

Isael Soto (GSO)

Soto batted fourth in the both games, and went 0-for-3 with an RBI as the Hoppers were one-hit by the West Virginia Power in game one. In game two, he walked and hit a solo homer, scoring twice as the Hoppers dropped a 9-7 ballgame.

Maicol Sosa (DSL)

Sosa batted fifth for the DSL Marlins in their 9-4 loss to the DSL Braves, and went three-for-four with a walk, two doubles, a run, and two RBI.

Cam Baird (GCL)

Baird came on in relief for GCL, and earned his first career victory by keeping the Cardinals scoreless through 2 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits and a walk, striking out four.

Next. Spotlight on George Soriano. dark

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