Marlins News: Jordan Yamamoto ready for big season with Jumbo Shrimp

Miami Marlins prospect Jordan Yamamoto and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp prepare for the opening series of the Southern League against the Jackson Generals at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Thursday night.

I have to admit, I was waiting to meet Jordan Yamamoto. The 22-year-old righty is just one of the many talented starters on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp roster this season and will be one of the “To Watch” players on this roster. The Jumbo Shrimp are the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

Yamamoto was one of the players that were part of the deal that sent Christian Yelich to the Milwaukee Brewers. Now, with another year in the Marlins system under his belt, Yamamoto told the media on Tuesday he was excited about playing baseball once again in North Florida.

Yamamoto is currently ranked as the 17th prospect in the Marlins minor league system. He is also another player who through trade within the last year and a half, has helped shape Miami’s farm system into something special.

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Yamamoto is excited about being part of this rebuild the Marlins are going through.

"“I told people before. New place, new opportunities, new adventures,” he explained. “It’s just one of those opportunities where I could make the most of it. It seems the Marlins wanted me more than the Brewers. I took that and I ran with it.”"

Those opportunities came when he was told he would be moving to the Marlins, a team Yamamoto said he was happy to join.

This is a pretty good rotation that is young like the parent club in Miami. Yamamoto won’t take the mound until the fourth game of the series, which shows how deep the rotation is for Kevin Randel in his first season back as manager here in Jacksonville.

Yamamoto was one of the players who showed his abilities to the team first in the Arizona Fall League and then when the team came to camp for Spring Training. He may still be two years away from making the Major League roster, but he is determined to continue to improve his control and command on the mound.

"“It’s an amazing bunch of guys. Guys who are here to compete,” Yamamoto said of the pitching staff’s makeup."

This season, Yamamoto said his offseason preparation was a bit different. He spent more time in Jupiter, Florida. He worked with a throwing partner and changed part of his preparation for the upcoming season in Jacksonville.

"“This year should be a good year,” he said. “I’m feeling healthy and ready to go.”"