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Miami Marlins: 7 Top Prospects that could make Full-Time MLB Debut in 2021

By Matt Melton

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: JJ Bleday #67 of the Miami Marlins looks on against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inningof a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 11, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: JJ Bleday #67 of the Miami Marlins looks on against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inningof a Grapefruit League spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 11, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Pitcher Jorge Guzman of the Miami Marlins (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

7. RHP Jorge Guzman – Miami Marlins #29 Prospect

The first top Miami Marlins prospect that we could see full-time in 2021 is 25-year old RHP Jorge Guzman.

The Miami Marlins #29 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Guzman was originally signed by the Astros back in June of 2014, but was traded to the Yankees in 2016 in the Brian McCann deal. The Yankees only a year later then sent Guzman to the Marlins as the piece that not many talked about in the deal that sent Giancarlo Stanton to New York, where Guzman is now knocking on the door of the big leagues full-time in 2021.

Guzman actually made his MLB debut during the shortened 2020 season where he only appeared in one game. In that one game however, Guzman struggled allowing two HRs in his one inning pitched.

Guzman despite throwing an inning of relief in the big leagues a year ago has been a starter during the two previous minor league seasons as a member of the Miami Marlins organization. Looking at his past two seasons, Guzman has put up strong numbers, but also showed areas of improvement:

Jorge Guzman 2018 and 2019 stats (via mlb.com)

  • Jupiter (A+) – 21 starts, 0-9, 4.03 ERA, 64 BB, 101 K, 1.54 WHIP
  • Jacksonville (AA) – 24 starts, 7-11, 3.50 ERA, 71 BB, 127 K, 1.20 WHIP

Guzman’s numbers aren’t necessarily eye-popping as a starter, and because of the Miami Marlins options in their big league rotation combined with Guzman’s stuff, you could make the argument that he projects best with the Marlins as a reliever.

Guzman displays an electric fastball that constantly flirts with triple-digits on the radar gun, and also grades as a 70 on MLB Pipeline’s 20-80 grading scale. Also displaying a quality slurve and changeup capable of making batters miss at times, Guzman has the pitches needed to succeed, but must improve on his command which includes a 5+ walks per nine during his first two seasons in the Miami Marlins system.

If Guzman can continue to improve on his command, he could turn into a vital piece of the Marlins rotation or bullpen.

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