Marlins Prospect Lewin Diaz is Ready to Step Up

Lewin Diaz is a relatively recent addition to the stable of talent in the Marlins high minor leagues.

A six-foot-four, 225 lb. first baseman from Santiago, DR, Lewin Diaz spent his first three professional seasons at the rookie level. In 2017 and 2018, he played at low-A and high-A respectively, with the Cedar Rapids Kernels and the Fort Myers Miracle in the Minnesota Twins system.

Diaz had split most of the 2019 campaign between the Miracle and the double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos until the Marlins made a deal. Miami sent de facto closer Sergio Romo and promising arm Chris Vallimont to the Twins, along with a player to be named later.

Diaz only hit .200 in 31 games for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to close out the campaign, but that couldn’t take the shine off his offensive eruption over the larger course of the season. In 121 games in total, he clubbed 27 homers with 76 RBI, while keeping a respectable 18.2 strikeout percentage.

On the defensive side of the diamond, Diaz made only one error in 515 total chances at double-A, for a sparkling .998 fielding percentage. The big lefty slugger seems ready for the next step, but it remains to be seen if he begins the season with the Shrimp, the triple-A Wichita Wind Surge, or with the Marlins proper.

Diaz, who turns 23-years-old today, is currently Miami’s 12th ranked prospect. With a great Spring Training, he could unseat incumbent Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Other Marlins Birthdays

Jeffrey Stevens (43)

The Marlins 45th round pick in 2000, Stevens hit .200 in 39 games for the Utica Blue Sox.

John Roskos (45)

The Florida Marlins second round pick in 1993, Catcher Roskos eventually made it all the way to the majors. He went three-for-23 over parts of two seasons with the Marlins.

Luis Raven (51)

Raven hit .274/.328/.510 for the 2000 Calgary Cannons with 24 homers and 81 RBI, just one level below the majors at age 31. He never again appeared in affiliated ball.

Lance Davis (38)

The Marlins 13th round pick in 2001, Davis pitched 79 2/3 innings in the low minors for three seasons, ending with a 1.34 WHIP.

Barry Schell (42)

Miami’s 15th round pick in 1999, Schell appeared in 77 games for Utica, hitting .206 with eight homers and 31 RBI.

Nick Trzesniak (39)

In the middle of a 10-season minor league odyssey, Trzesniak played in 18 games for the 2006 Albuquerque Isotopes, going 14-for-49 with three home runs.

Nate Simon (33)

Picked in the 27th round in 2009, Simon played in 32 games between GCL and the Jamestown Jammers, hitting .216.

Jeff Bailey (41)

Selected in the second round in 1997, Bailey spent five seasons in the minors with the Marlins, peaking at double-A with the Portland Sea Dogs in 2001. He finally made his major league debut in 2007 with the Boston Red Sox, and hit .228/.340/.434 over parts of three big league seasons.

Josh Alberius (25)

Miami’s 36th round pick in 2017, Alberius pitched 19 2/3 innings between GCL and the Batavia Muckdogs.

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• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 2
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

Bryan Holaday (32)

Holaday has hit .237 with five homers over two seasons with the Marlins. In 2018, he led the majors by throwing out 45 percent of base stealers.

McKenzie Mills (24)

Gained from the Philadelphia Phillies for Justin Bour, Mills is currently part of the Jumbo Shrimp.

Brian McKenna (27)

Currently a Hammerheads pitcher, McKenna made his professional debut this year and struck out 15 in 11 1/3 innings.