Marlins Prospect Watch: Jazz Chisholm is the Next Big Thing in Miami

The Miami Marlins will get into their first Spring Training game three weeks from today.

Amongst those who may get an early look with the Marlins is shortstop Jazz Chisholm, who turns 22 today. A native of Nassau, Bahamas, Jasrado Hermis Arrington Chisholm is a five-foot-11, 165 lb. left-handed power hitter. Currently the Marlins number four prospect and the number 66 prospect in all of baseball, Chisholm joined the system in Miami’s trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks which cost them Zac Gallen.

Although the price was high, Chisholm has an undeniably high ceiling in return. He’s a true five-tool prospect, with a 50-rated hit-tool that is somehow considered his weakest attribute. Chisholm scores a mark of 55 in power, speed, arm, and fielding.

After the trade, Chisholm appeared in 23 games at the Double-A level in the Southern League with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and hit .284/.383/.494 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Defensively, he fielded 64 total chances without an error in 188 innings.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7rG48yB2Ua/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

In total, through 315 games of action in the minors, Chisholm has slashed .255/.327/.462 with 56 long-balls and 173 RBI. While playing for the Kane County Cougars in the Single-A Midwest League in 2018, he ranked third in the circuit with a .228 ISO, fifth with 15 homers, eighth with a .345 “secondary” average,” and ninth with a .472 SLG. According to the MLB Pipeline:

Chisholm posts impressive exit velocities from the left side of the plate with an explosive swing that has natural loft. He showed in 2018 that he not only could tap into his plus raw power, but also apply it across the entire field, as some of his longest home runs were hit to straightaway center. His power does come with swing-and-miss tendencies, so he’ll need to refine his aggressive approach as he develops. He’s an above-average runner who receives praise for his instincts on the basepaths.

Here’s some minor league material, courtesy of Fangraphs:

More from Marlins Prospects

• Miami Marlins: Checking in on prospects from the 2022 Arizona Fall League
• Miami Marlins: How top 2022 MLB Draft picks performed this season
• What’s wrong with Kahlil Watson?
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 2
• Miami Marlins: Farm System rankings part 1

The only weakness that Chisholm is guilty of is one that is all-too common for Marlins prospects. He owns a 30.1 percent career strikeout rate, versus an 8.9 percent walk rate. While his whiff-rate has been steadily at or around the 30 percent mark throughout his minor league career, his walk rate had increased to 11.4 percent in the 2019 campaign.

If Chisholm can refine his approach to pitch selection, and quit chasing pitches, he can truly make a positive impact at the major league level with the Marlins. Maybe even in 2020. Maybe even right out of Spring Training.

It is, however, far likelier that Chisholm begins the 2020 campaign at the Triple-A level with the Wichita Wind Surge, in the Pacific Coast League.