Who is the ace of the future for the Miami Marlins?

JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Sixto Sanchez #73 of the Miami Marlins poses for a photo during Photo Day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on February 19, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Sixto Sanchez #73 of the Miami Marlins poses for a photo during Photo Day at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on February 19, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

It’s only a matter of time before Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera are at the top of the Miami Marlins pitching staff. Which one will claim the ace’s role?

Per MLB.com, fans were trying to determine who the Miami Marlins ace of the future would be between the organization’s top prospect Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera, who is closing the gap between the two youngsters in a hurry.

If anyone has read my work this past season, you know I am a big believer in Cabrera. I had a chance to see both starters work on the bump in Jacksonville for the Jumbo Shrimp in 2019.
This could be one of the better debates amongst Marlins fans this year and since both players will make an appearance in Miami at some point this season, the organization’s future is in good hands – or should I say good arms.

The discussion about aces of the future in the National League was brought up by Mark Bowman in his recent story on MLB.com. There is no shortage of good young pitching from top to bottom in the Marlins farm system. In terms of depth and quality of future pitching in the National League East, baseball fans of all teams in the division are in for a treat over the next few seasons.

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According to Joe Frisaro, who offered his analysis on the topic, the nod goes to Sanchez – for now.

"“Sanchez is ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami’s No. 1 prospect and No. 22 on the Top 100 overall. Cabrera is the organization’s No. 5 prospect and 85th overall. If all goes to plan, these two are expected to front the rotation for years to come. Both are 21,” Frisaro adds.“Sanchez gets the edge based on more consistent fastball command. Before Spring Training was halted because of the coronavirus outbreak, Sanchez was being eased into his throwing program.”"

After watching both pitchers over the summer, it is a fairly close race to the top. Cabrera’s ascension through the minors and his performance last season could have been a reason the team was able to part with Zac Gallen. Miami sent him to Arizona for shortstop prospect Jazz Chisholm, who also figures to be in Miami at some point this season.

One thing is certain – the Miami Marlins aren’t hurting for top minor league prospects.

"“Cabrera, meanwhile, impressed in big league camp, sporting a 100 mph fastball and 94 mph changeup. But Spring Training is hardly a tell-all indicator. Sanchez threw a career-high 114 innings last year and will open at Triple-A Wichita,” Frisaro wrote.“From there, it is a matter of when he will reach the big leagues. That very well could be in 2020. The same holds true for Cabrera, who was optioned to Double-A Jacksonville. The Marlins envision the day these two are together in Miami.”"

Miami’s starting rotation in South Florida starts with Sandy Alcantara and ends with either Jordan Yamamoto or Robert Dugger – two players who started in Jacksonville last season and made the Majors by the end of 2019.

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