Marlins Prospect Joe Dunand Named Southern League POTW

Joe Dunand, the Miami Marlins No. 21 ranked minor league prospect and a member of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, was named the Southern League Player of the Week for August 13 -19. The announcement came from the league office on Monday.

Joe Dunand has been on a tear of late for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The shortstop was named the Southern League Player of the Week by the league office for August 13-19.

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Per the Jumbo Shrimp’s public relations department, “Over the past week, Dunand led the Southern League with seven RBI, also hitting .374 (9-for-24) with three home runs and was also tied for the Double-A lead with six extra-base hits. He also led Double-A baseball with 21 total bases, and his .875 slugging percentage was also second-best in the league.”

While Dunand has roots deep in the sport, he is carving out a name for himself. The nephew of Alex Rodriguez, the 22-year-old who can also play third base, has been one of the bright spots for Jacksonville in an otherwise disappointing season.

Earlier in the year, second baseman Isan Diaz was named the Southern League Player of the Week prior to being promoted Triple-A New Orleans. It is possible the two infielders could be manning those same positions for the parent club in the near future.

As Roger Hoover of the Jumbo Shrimp pointed out, “Dunand’s hottest stretch at the plate came in games on Tuesday and Wednesday at Pensacola. On Tuesday Dunand was 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of home runs, his first multi-homer game, as he tied a career-high with 4 runs batted in and set a career-high with four hits.”

It’s that kind of clutch hitting that might earn him a spot in New Orleans in 2019 and an invite to the Marlins Spring Training facilities in Jupiter, Florida in February.

It is believed Dunand will be able to hit for both average and power on the next level. If that is the case, the Marlins would welcome that kind of versatility. The team has not true slugger in the current lineup. How the 25-man roster for 2019 will look remains a mystery. Dunand still may be a full season away from making his Major League debut.

He still has work to be to become a more consistent hitter. For the season, Dunand is batting .192 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 49 games on the Double-A level.