Jeter’s Plan on Display as Miami Marlins Boast Vastly Improved System

Baseball America recently published its updated farm system rankings. The Miami Marlins have improved to number 10.

The improved Miami Marlins system has already started yielding results. Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, and Jordan Yamamoto make up 60 percent of the current starting rotation, and two of them came over in the Marcell Ozuna trade. Yamamoto came over from the Brewers for Christian Yelich.

From number 24 this time last season, and 30th the year prior, to number 19, to number 13 prior to the season, to number 10 now.

Derek Jeter has been the scapegoat in the most recent “fire sale.” Many had stated that Jeter got “nothing” in return for the “best outfield in baseball.” You’ll remember, in 2017, it was comprised of National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton, future MVP Yelich, and Ozuna.

Along with the more publicized trades were the ones that flew under the radar (Caleb Smith for Michael King, Bryson Brigman for Cameron Maybin, Brad Ziegler for Tommy Eveld). Add this to maybe the best draft in Miami Marlins history and now we’re talking about a future that seems to be closer than ever.

The Miami Marlins now boast five of the top 100 prospects on Baseball America’s dynamic list. Sixto Sanchez leads the bunch at number 19, followed by J.J. Bleday at 59, Gallen at 72, Isan Diaz at 90, and Edward Cabrera at 91.

Gallen has already started making his mark on the team, with his first major league victory in a masterful performance versus the White Sox on Wednesday. Number six prospect Monte Harrison was edging ever nearer to making his first major league impression before getting laid up on the injured list.

The Batavia Muckdogs are making a lot of noise in the New York-Penn League after their roster was bolstered by the 2019 draft yield. J.D. Orr leads the team with a .372 average, Peyton Burdick is hitting .318, and Nic Ready is at .295 with 20 doubles in 34 games.

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

In total, 10 of the Miami Marlins top 30 prospects are results of Jeter’s and Michael Hill’s trade moves since the new group took over. 14 of them are from the last two draft classes, and that’s not even to mention the splash in the international market. After years of neglect by Loria and company, Jeter and Hill went out and got the Mesa brothers, and recently picked up highly touted 16-year-old shortstop Jose Salas out of Venezuela.

Although the moves have yet to translate to larger major league success, the trail of victory is becoming clearer. The New Orleans Baby Cakes are contending, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are putting together a solid second-half, Batavia and the GCL Marlins each lead their respective divisions, and the Clinton LumberKings and DSL Marlins remain in striking distance of theirs. Success begets success, and it starts in the minors. Look for it to start showing on the big stage by the tail end of 2020.

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