Marlins: Can Monte Harrison win one of the starting OF spots?

Does Monte Harrison, the Marlins best athlete, have a chance to shine on the Major League level in 2020?

He may have been forgotten lately with all the changes to the Miami Marlins minor league system, but the front office and coaching staff are still extremely high on Monte Harrison.
Harrison, who came over the deal for Christian Yelich, is the No. 5 prospect in the Marlins organization according to MLB Pipeline and player to watch in the spring as he tries to make the Opening Day roster in the outfield.

The Marlins have added plenty of bats this past season through the MLB Draft and trade deadline. His athleticism alone is enough for the organization to be excited about his future on the Major League level.

Per MLB.com, “As a senior at Lee’s Summit West High in 2013-14, Harrison accounted for 29 touchdowns on a Missouri Class 5 state champion football team and averaged 16.4 points per game on a basketball squad that finished third in the state. He also won the dunk contest at the Greater Kansas City All-Star Challenge and accepted a Nebraska football scholarship (wide receiver) before the Brewers signed him for $1.8 million as a second-round choice in 2014.”

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Harrison struck out over 200 times in 2018 at Double-A Jacksonville but used the offseason in the Arizona Fall League and Spring Training to work on his timing at the plate and his swing, which paid off for him and the New Orleans Baby Cakes, the former Triple-A affiliate of the Marlins. If not for late-season wrist surgery, Harrison would have been a September call-up.

Harrison also has become a solid threat on the base pads, which makes him a leadoff candidate in the lineup. Miami has lacked a consistent table-setter since Dee Gordon was on the team two seasons ago.

There is a legitimate chance he could be the team’s starter in center field next season. The front office added Jesus Sanchez at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay, who appears to be on track to snag one of the other positions in the outfield.

Based on the current roster and how the front office is looking to add power to the middle of the order, the two soon-to-be rookies could have a major impact on the Marlins in 2020.