Miami Marlins Power Options: First Baseman John Silviano

John Silviano was injured for a lot of the 2018 season, but still managed to hit 16 home runs in the Miami Marlins system.

In the lead-up to 2019 Spring Training, Marlin Maniac is finishing up their off-season long series on every player to appear in the 2018 Miami Marlins system. There were 286 in total. John Silviano is the 275th we’re writing about.

John Silviano is a 5’11”, 190 lb. lefty-batting and righty-throwing first baseman from Hypoluxo, Florida, population 2,772. Silviano is the only player to get drafted or appear in any affiliated baseball from the small town.

Born on July 11th, 1994, Silviano attended Summit Christian HS. The Toronto Blue Jays chose him in the 13th round of the 2012 MLB Amateur Draft, a few picks before Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dylan Floro. Taken 415th overall, Silviano would be the ninth major leaguer chosen at the spot to reach the majors. The group is led by former Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola (1978, Kansas City Royals, 47.2 career WAR).

Silviano played his first professional game before reaching age-18 for the GCL Blue Jays, in the rookie-level, Florida-based Gulf Coast League. In 39 games, he managed just a .164 average, going 19-for-116 from the plate, but he did draw 22 walks for a .298 OBP and hit eight extra base hits for a .284 SLG. He only struck out 21 times, and ended up knocking 17 runs in. He went 11-for-78 in 2013 for the Bluefield Blue Jays, and just four-for-26 in 2014 for the GCL Jays again.

Silviano was released from the Jays on July 12th, 2014, and didn’t appear in any affiliated organizations again for some time. In 2016, he resurfaced with Lynn University, and hit .405/.528/.950 for the Division 2 outfit. He hit 31 home runs in only 51 games for the Knights, with 75 RBI. Silviano also drew 51 walks during that time, and only struck out 40 times.

After his solid showing with Lynn, Silviano was signed by the Miami Marlins to a minor league deal, and joined the Greensboro Grasshoppers in the South Atlantic League. In 44 games, he hit .212 with eight homers and 19 RBI. Playing at catcher defensively, he fielded at a .969 clip and threw out 23 percent of base stealers.

In 2017, Silviano was promoted to the high-A level with the Jupiter Hammerheads, in the Florida State League. Instead of having him backstop, they tried him in the outfield, playing him 29 times in left and 28 times in right field. He made two errors and four outfield assists in 89 total chances for a .978 fielding percentage. On the offensive side of the plate, Silviano led the Hammerheads with 13 homers and 55 RBI while slashing .245/.311/.417. Here he is playing for Jupiter that year, courtesy of Walt Hilsenbeck’s You Tube page.

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2018 would see Silviano play about two months with the Hammerheads, and slash .281/.363/.491 with 12 homers and 39 RBI in 65 games. Now playing at first base, he handled 348 total chances and made three errors for a .991 fielding percentage. In late June, he went on the disabled list.

After a rehab assignment with the GCL Marlins, Silviano was pushed up to the double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the Southern League. He was nine-for-54 in 20 games, but connected for three long-shots and seven RBI.

Silviano is currently rostered with the Jumbo Shrimp, but could be a good option for the Miami Marlins as he can play first base, corner outfield, and behind the plate. Look for him to remain with Jacksonville for the start of the 2019 season.