Unbridled Power: Miami Marlins Prospect Sean Reynolds

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 86 of 286. Stay tuned.

Sean William Reynolds is a 6’7″, 237 lb. first baseman from Redondo Beach, California. Born on April 19th, 1998, the Miami Marlins chose him in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft, with the 113th overall choice out of Redondo Union HS.

Players selected 113th overall have a 25 percent success rate at making it to the major leagues, and Reynolds is a special case. His prodigious power stroke is almost otherworldly, but he also strikes out a lot. Despite hitting just .193 in 2018 for the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs, in the New York-Penn League, his 17 home runs more than doubled all but three of his competitors.

Other players chosen at that spot include Yadier Molina (2000, St. Louis Cardinals, 38.9 career WAR), Josh Johnson (2002, Miami Marlins, 24.3 WAR), and Len Matuszek (1976, Philadelphia Phillies, 1.8 WAR). You can follow Reynolds on Twitter @sean___reynolds. According to the MLB Pipeline:

Reynolds’ size and physicality gives him big-time power potential, as he’s already capable of hitting tape-measure home runs. But as is the case with many young hitters similar in size, his swing has considerable length and will need to be cleaned up as he develops. Reynolds is athletic for his size and moves well in the outfield, while his plus arm that produced low-90s fastball off the mound in high school is a clean fit in right field.

After signing with the Miami Marlins for a $600,000 bonus, Reynolds joined the GCL Marlins in the Florida-based, rookie-level Gulf Coast League. In 42 games, he hit .155/.262/.196 with no home runs and 11 RBI, along with three stolen bases in six tries. He drew 22 walks and struck out 64 times. Defensively, the Marlins had him in right and center field, where he made one error in 63 total chances, along with four assists.

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• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

Reynolds spent 31 games back with GCL to start the 2017 campaign, hitting .214/.303/.311 with one homer and 14 RBI, one-of-two stolen bases, 14 walks and 44 strikeouts. By then rated as Miami’s number 22 prospect, on August 15th, he was moved up a level, to the Muckdogs. In 20 games, he hit .176 with four homers and 10 RBI, drawing four walks and striking out 41 times in 78 plate appearances. That’s over half of the time.

Reynolds’ potential has long been too big to ignore, despite his troubles at the plate. For the 2018 season, he again started for the Muckdogs. Although he led the NYPL with 133 strikeouts, he cut down his overall whiff rate to 42 percent. That’s a far cry still from where he needs to be, but it also proves that he’s able to improve. He slashed .193/.306/.441 in 76 contests, with 12 doubles, two triples, and the aforementioned 17 home runs. He also stole 13 bases in 14 tries. Over the last week of the season, he went eight-for-26 with four homers and 11 RBI, and was named the NYPL Offensive Player of the Week.

Reynolds’ build and potential ceiling have drawn comparisons to 2017 National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton. While he’s still a far cry from the major leagues, he’ll start the 2019 campaign with the Clinton LumberKings in the single-A Midwest League. With continued progress, he’ll be in Miami Marlins Spring Training with a shot to make the team around 2021.

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