Which Marlins Outfield Prospects Will Shine Brightest?

With the many outfield prospects currently on Miami Marlins minor league rosters, is there reason to believe there is a potential excess of talent for the team to choose from.

The Miami Marlins have done well in making sure their minor league system is well-stocked with talented arms and plenty of hitters on the base pads. I brought up the idea that there was a possibility of too many outfield prospects to choose from, thus creating a problem with playing time on the Major League level.

MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro got a similar question in his “Inbox” story on Marlins.com. He was able to dissect the fan’s assessment of it being a surplus of talent rather than the “logjam” suggested. With so many young prospects, however, there may be moves in the future that could bring in more talent in other areas of need.

"“To me, I don’t see it as a logjam. I view a surplus of players as necessary depth to achieve sustainable success,” Frisaro explained. “Also, none of the above (Austin Dean, Lewis Brinson, Magneuris Sierra, Monte Harrison, Isaac Galloway, Rafael Ortega or Braxton Lee) has established himself as a clear front-runner to start.”"

The Marlins will bring Brinson up from a rehab assignment at Triple-A New Orleans over the weekend with the hope he can get 100 at-bats before the end of the season. That would indicate he will start in centerfield.

The Marlins want to evaluate him as a hitter since he was hitting a paltry .186 when he was placed on the disabled list July 4.

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Dean, Sierra, Galloway, and Ortega are currently on the Marlins 25-man roster. Harrison is still in Double-A Jacksonville. Lee is in New Orleans but did start the season on the Major League roster.

This is a good problem to have. Other franchises may covet one or more of Miami’s outfield prospects, which could lead to a trade for a power hitter. Much like the Marlins desiring future prospects in trades involving core players from last season, Miami could package a deal to get a big bat in the middle of the lineup at some point.

Frisaro assessed the rest of the group and their futures.

"“Harrison, ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami’s top prospect, will be added to the 40-man roster in the offseason,” he said. “But he hasn’t performed above Double-A and has to cut down on his strikeout rate. Sierra is still young and likely will open next season at New Orleans. Lee missed time this year due to a hamstring injury. Dean could find himself in the mix for a starting or backup spot.”"

Add to the group a young pool of outfield draft picks from this season in Connor Scott and Tristan Pompey and Miami has the depth it has not had in years down on the farm. Neither will be part of the parent club for a couple more years, so the organization can determine which current minor leaguers will be part of the Marlins future.