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Marlins: The team’s top four ROY candidates

By David Levin |
Omaha, NE - JUNE 24: A general view of a baseball and glove in the the field, prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series between the Michigan Wolverines and Vanderbilt Commodores on June 24, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Omaha, NE - JUNE 24: A general view of a baseball and glove in the the field, prior to game one of the College World Series Championship Series between the Michigan Wolverines and Vanderbilt Commodores on June 24, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
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The Miami Marlins have plenty of talented players who could lay claim to potentially becoming the NL Rookie of the Year.

We are taking a page from our colleagues at MLB.com. Who could be the Marlins top Rookie of the Year candidates heading into the 2020 season? The Marlins have a minor league system that was once thought of as horse fodder.

Now, with several moves through free agency, trades, and the MLB Draft, Derek Jeter has built a blossoming organization that is probably still two years away from making a move out of the bottom apartment in the National League East.

According to the story on MLB.com, “Last month, the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (unanimous) and the Mets’ Pete Alonso ran away with the 2019 American League and National League Rookie of the Year Awards, respectively.

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“A year ago at this time, Alonso was very much on the ROY radar as he appeared headed for the Mets’ Opening Day roster. Alvarez, meanwhile, jumped on the scene with a huge start to his season in the Minors that led to his callup in early June.”

And looking ahead to next season, there should be plenty of prospects looking to make the leap from the Double-A or Triple-A level to the Majors with one giant step.

For Miami, the four levels of their feeder system is full of talent, however, it may take some time for the majority of their top prospects to call South Florida home. Don’t get me wrong. There are plenty of players on the Triple-A level who could make an immediate impact with the team at the start of the 2020 MLB season.

Here is a look at four players who could wind up holding the Rookie of the Year hardware in Miami.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 07: Alec Bohm #23 celebrates with pitcher Sixto Sanchez #45 as Sanchez leaves the game during the fifth inning against the American League during the All-Stars Futures Game at Progressive Field on July 07, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. The American and National League teams tied 2-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 07: Alec Bohm #23 celebrates with pitcher Sixto Sanchez #45 as Sanchez leaves the game during the fifth inning against the American League during the All-Stars Futures Game at Progressive Field on July 07, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. The American and National League teams tied 2-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Sixto Sanchez

He was MLB.com’s choice to win the ROY award and for good reason. The organization traded J.T. Realmuto to the Philadelphia Phillies and was adamant about receiving Sixto Sanchez in return.

“Sanchez, whom the Marlins acquired in the J.T. Realmuto trade, may have the best combination of stuff and command of any pitcher in the Minors” MLB.com analysts wrote. “Sanchez’s workload was limited through the first few years of his career, but he reached Double-A and threw a career-high 114 innings (with 103 strikeouts) last season. The 21-year-old throws both a two- and four-seam fastball, can touch triple digits and also throws an above-average breaking ball and changeup.”

That’s pretty high praise. The Marlins have needed a dominant starter since the team lost Jose Fernandez in 2016. Sanchez could be on the Marlins parent roster by mid-season and could possibly surprise us all with a spot in the rotation out of Spring Training.

SURPRISE, AZ – NOVEMBER 03: AFL East All-Star, Monte Harrison #4 of the Miami Marlins bats during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018, in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, AZ – NOVEMBER 03: AFL East All-Star, Monte Harrison #4 of the Miami Marlins bats during the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018, in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Monte Harrison

Monte Harrison hurt his wrist in the second-half of the season, requiring surgery and ending his season at Triple-A New Orleans. Had it not been for the surgery, the front office and coaching staff would have seen the outfielder produce on the next level.

Harrison is expected to earn a spot in the outfield out of camp, with a chance to be an every-day starter. The Marlins could use his bat and his speed, where he has become quite the base theft. Also, with his size and strength, don’t be surprised if he turns into a 25-home run hitter from the leadoff spot in the order.

What the Marlins might like most about Harrison is he could play all three outfield spots, which makes him more of an option than other players trying to either maintain a spot on the 26-man roster, or a prospect who is almost ready, but can only contribute at one position.

MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 10: Isan Diaz #1 of the Miami Marlins takes the field in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on August 10, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 10: Isan Diaz #1 of the Miami Marlins takes the field in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on August 10, 2019, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Isan Diaz

The Marlins got a taste of what Isan Diaz can do on the Major League level. He is still very much a work in progress. While he has flashed his power – hitting home runs off Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard – but he also had issues at the plate and needs to work on his defense.

Diaz said he would use the offseason to work on his fundamentals and concentrate on preparing for a full season in the Majors. He will once again be asked to take over at second base and could hit as high as second in the batting order.

Also, the diamond – especially the infield – will look different this season. There is more power in the lineup this season with new acquisitions, but the Marlins want to see the consistency at the plate that produced home runs at the Triple-A level. Diaz could be a 25-homer guy with some grooming.

JUPITER, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Neidert #87 of the Miami Marlins poses for a portrait at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2018, in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL – FEBRUARY 22: Nick Neidert #87 of the Miami Marlins poses for a portrait at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2018, in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Nick Neidert

I believe Nick Neidert will win the fifth starter spot in the rotation out of camp. He surprised many in the front office and coaching staff last season with his poise and control in Jupiter. He must continue to develop and remain in control while facing Major League hitters.

The Marlins have a plethora of minor league pitchers who could become starters in the next two years. Neidert falls somewhere in the middle of that pack. The former Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year isn’t ready to become an ace of the staff, but he could be a solid balance in the rotation.

Neidert suffered a torn meniscus and lost time on the mound at Triple-A, but he looked solid in the Arizona Fall League. Currently ranked as the 11th prospect in the Marlins minor leagues, he could leapfrog Sanchez and others to earn a roster spot.

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