Marlins minor league system most improved in MLB

OMAHA, NE - JUNE 24: J.J. Bleday #51 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates with teammate Ethan Paul #10 after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game one of the College World Series Championship Series on June 24, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 24: J.J. Bleday #51 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates with teammate Ethan Paul #10 after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Michigan Wolverines during game one of the College World Series Championship Series on June 24, 2019 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

The Miami Marlins minor league system continues to grow. It has been named the most improved in Major League Baseball, according to MLB.com.

It’s not hard to understand how the Miami Marlins front office believes changes will do this organization some good in the near future.

As reported by MLB.com, the Marlins had the most improved minor league system in all of baseball last season, which is a testament to CEO Derek Jeter’s plan to restock the feeder system and build this organization from its foundation.

That foundation appears to be secure as the team has now moved to another phase in its development. Miami was much more active this offseason, especially in free agency, without having to use some of its prospect capital to bring in veteran hitters to help the lineup.

In other words, it’s working regardless of what some may think.

“The Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto trades in back-to-back offseasons helped infuse some fresh, high-ceiling talent into Miami’s system — including top prospect Sixto Sanchez, acquired in the Realmuto deal — and the club continued to add impact prospects over the course of the season via trades and the Draft,” writes Mike Rosenbaum.More from Marlins NewsMiami Marlins are pursuing Michael ConfortoMiami Marlins need to spend to winMiami Marlins can’t afford to botch this tradeMiami Marlins news: the New York Mets are a risky threatMiami Marlins keep missing out on stars“The Marlins’ sneaky-good Deadline deals to get Lewin Diaz (Twins), Jazz Chisholm (D-backs) and Jesus Sanchez (Rays) netted the organization three young left-handed hitters with upper-level experience, and they also drafted an impressive crop of college hitters including JJ Bleday and Kam Misner, the Nos. 4 and 35 overall picks.”

Add Peyton Burdick to that mix as well. The Wright State star showed a successful early return on his first season with Clinton, the Marlins Single-A affiliate.

The Marlins have stockpiled pitching prospects over the past two seasons and over the past 12 months, have added more hitters to their dance card, especially in the outfield. Despite giving up top-level talent on the Major League level, the payoff will be a more sustained success in the future.

“Meanwhile, many players already in the system took positive steps forward in their development, including Isan Diaz, Monte Harrison, right-hander Edward Cabrera and left-handers (and former first-rounders) Braxton Garrett and Trevor Rogers,” Rosenbaum added.

The Marlins will have more opportunities to add to their list of prospects when they pick 3rd in the 220 MLB Draft. There is a chance as well the Marlins could add more prospects to their system with a potential trade or two prior to the start of Spring Training.

Reports this last month have centered around pitcher Jose Urena and whether he will remain on the roster or will the front office seek a trade to move him for a player or prospects.

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