Miami Marlins 2018 Season in Review: Bubba Hollins

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 106 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

David “Bubba” Hollins is a 6’1″, 200 lb. corner infielder from Orchard Park, New York. Born on December 6th, 1995, he was chosen in the 35th round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft with the 1060th overall selection. No player (of 32) ever selected with the 1060th pick has ever made the major leagues, but Hollins wasn’t really interested at that time.

Hollins is major league pedigreed, the son of former Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Dave Hollins. After going in the 35th round, the younger Hollins elected to attend college at St. Petersburg, in the SunCoast League. After two seasons at the JuCo level, he played a season with St. Bonaventure in the ACC. Between the Titans and the Bonnies, Hollins hit .303/.388/.463 in 139 contests, with 17 round-trippers and 95 RBI. Follow Hollins on Twitter @Bubba_Hollins. Or don’t, whatever you’re feeling. In the video below, Hollins is number 24 in the light-colored jersey, if you can make it out.

Hollins was not chosen in the draft a second time, but the Miami Marlins signed him through free agency in mid-2017. Hollins chose to forego his final season of eligibility with the Bonnies for a shot at professional baseball. On August 4th, the Marlins assigned him to the short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League.

In a short 12-game look to close out the campaign, Hollins went nine-for-42 with three doubles and eight RBI. He drew five walks and struck out six times, scoring four runs and slashing .214/.313/.286.

Hollins was assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads in the high-A Florida State League, and went 1-for-3 with a double against the Florida Fire Frogs in his season debut on June 9th. In 21 games for the Hammerheads, Hollins ended up slashing .167/.243/.227 with one double, one homer, and five RBI. On July 16th, the Marlins sent Hollins to rejoin the Muckdogs.

Hollins collected hits in all three Batavia games in which he appeared during his assignment, going four-for-10 with two walks, a stolen base, a double and four RBI. Four days after his “demotion,” he was promoted to the Greensboro Grasshoppers, in the single-A South Atlantic League.

Hollins was two-for-22 in seven games for Greensboro, with a pair of walks. He rejoined Batavia to go one-for-six in two games, then came back to Greensboro again on August 9th, only to go 0-for-nine in four contests.

More from Marlins Prospects

• Miami Marlins: Checking in on prospects from the 2022 Arizona Fall League
• Miami Marlins: How top 2022 MLB Draft picks performed this season
• What’s wrong with Kahlil Watson?
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 2
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

On August 15th, Hollins rejoined Batavia for a fourth time, completing the season run in upstate-New York. In his final 20 appearances, he hit .200/.325/.292 with 11 walks, three doubles, a homer, and seven RBI. He had maybe his best game of the season in his last appearance, on September 3rd. He hit two singles and drew a walk, collecting three RBI in an 8-5 loss to the Auburn Doubledays.

Considered a “corner infielder,” Hollins appears mostly at third base. In 392 2/3 innings at the hot corner, he racked up a .973 fielding percentage across all levels through both of his minor league seasons. At the “not hot” corner, he’s racked up a .992 in 133 innings.

Hollins is not rule 5 eligible, and so may stick around for another season despite his underwhelming plate performance. If he does, look for him to start the year with the single-A Clinton LumberKings in the Midwest League.

Thanks for reading. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our daily newsletter to keep up with the Miami Marlins.