Marlins win AFL award for organizational excellence

The Miami Marlins one again prove they know how to build a minor league baseball system.

One thing that cannot be stressed enough about the start of the Derek Jeter Era of Miami Marlins baseball is that he is committed to building this organization through the minor league system from the ground up. It’s the reason the Marlins are now considered on the best minor league feeder systems in the Majors and the main reason why the front office was recognized as the inaugural winner of the AFL Organization Leadership Award.

"Per MLB.com, this is an award given the “team that meets or exceeds their obligations to their four AFL team partners.”"

The Marlins continue to add blue-chip talent while developing prospects for the future. Miami made deals at the trade deadline that once again added to its already abundant feeder system and could potentially add more budding stars to the four levels of development at Clinton, Iowa, Jupiter, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida and Wichita, Kansas this offseason and at the MLB Trade Deadline in 2020.

Jeter and his front office secured the services of Jazz Chisholm, Lewin Diaz, and Jesus Sanchez through three separate deals in July.

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"“This is an incredible honor to be recognized with this award, which is a credit to the team effort that many people in our organization contributed to, both on and off the field,” Jeter said in a statement. “It serves as a testament to the first-class organization we are building here in Miami.”"

Unlike in year’s past, the talent on the franchise’s farm system is gaining plenty of recognition. The organization has six players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, which is tied for the most of any club.

"“Ranked prospects representing the Marlins at the Arizona Fall League are infielder Jose Devers (Miami’s No. 10 prospect), right-hander Nick Neidert (No. 11) and outfielders Víctor Víctor Mesa (No. 13) and Jerar Encarnacion (No. 17),” Joe Frisaro added."

Seven of the team’s top 12 prospects are in the organization via trade. Five of them are home-grown talents. Seven are everyday players, five are starting pitchers.

Jeter spent the first year of ownership with the Marlins acquiring young arms to bolster a depleted system. He then used the Draft and free agency to add power and skill players to the minor leagues.

"“In October, Jeter was among the many club officials to personally attend games in Arizona. He was joined by president of baseball operations Michael Hill, vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo and Major League manager Don Mattingly,” Frisaro wrote."