Miami Marlins outfielder pulls off rare feat in victory on Tuesday

Miami Marlins centerfielder Monte Harrison and his brother Shaquille became the fourth brother combination to play in an MLB and NBA game.

Not only did Miami Marlins outfielder Monte Harrison play in his first game in the Major Leagues on Tuesday, but he and his brother also made a little history in the process.

Harrison, who was recalled to the parent club this week to add to the 30-man roster for the South Florida team, his brother Shaquille became one of only four sets of brothers to play Professional Basketball (NBA) & Baseball (MLB).

Pretty impressive when you consider how many players have graced the hardwood and diamond over the years. It’s also impressive that while the Miami Marlins will call on  Monte to wield his bat and play spectacular defense this season, his brother is helping the Chicago Bulls as the NBA playoff resumed in Orlando.

“We had initially talked about this in 2018 when he made his debut in the NBA,” Monte said on Wednesday via MLB.com. “That always sat in the back of my mind. When that actually finally happened, he didn’t know I was going to make that tweet and make it be known. That was kind of my surprise to him.More from Marlin ManiacMiami Marlins are pursuing Michael ConfortoMiami Marlins need to spend to winMiami Marlins One-Year Wonder 1BMiami Marlins can’t afford to botch this tradeMiami Marlins news: the New York Mets are a risky threat“He was happy about it. Just to know that we’re one of four brothers to be able to do what we do, and we’re blessed to do it. It definitely is a blessing.”

Harrison was the talk of the second part of spring training in preparation for the 60-game 2020 season. He did not initially make the team’s opening day roster, but due to many players moving to the I.L. because of the coronavirus, the opportunity has presented itself.

Harrison was sent to Jupiter, Florida – the site of the team’s training facility where prospects are still working on their game, hoping to get the call they have been waiting all their lives for.

The No. 10 prospect in the Marlins organization figures to be the team’s centerfielder for years to come.

“We just worked our [butts] off every single day,” Harrison said. “We were always those kids that got in trouble, got made fun of and little stuff like that. People thought that we weren’t going to really be anything. We both sat down and were like, ‘We can be whatever we want to be, we’ve got to work for it.’ We started working.”

In Other News…

While MLB.com produced its latest list of the top 100 prospects in the minors, six Marlins were amongst discussed. The Marlins also have a new top 30 prospects list that has some new faces that have joined the fraternity.

According to Joe Frisaro, “On Miami’s new Top 30 prospects list, five of the six pitchers taken in the 2020 MLB Draft have cracked the rankings — Meyer (No. 3), left-hander Dax Fulton (No. 12), right-hander Kyle Nicolas (No. 20), right-hander Zach McCambley (No. 21) and lefty Jake Eder (No. 22).”

You can see the Marlins Top 30 Prospects here.