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

One of the most exciting parts of a baseball season is when top prospects receive the call-up to make their MLB debut. The Miami Marlins have seen numerous top prospects make their debuts in recent years with more to come this season.

In fact, this is starting to become a regular occurrence for the Miami Marlins.

We saw the MLB debuts of top Marlins prospects such as Sixto Sanchez, Jazz Chisholm, Trevor Rogers, Monte Harrison, and more during the 2020 season. Each of these players had exciting MLB debuts, and played a big role in the Marlins regular season and Postseason success in 2020.

Is the same in store for 2021? If you answered yes, you’re correct.

With the 2021 MLB and MiLB season now fully underway, baseball is officially back and hype around the Marlins top prospects continues to build. We’ve already seen a few top prospects off to phenomenal starts to their minor league seasons, but who will we see in Miami this year?

There are plenty of potential full-time Miami Marlins top prospect debuts to look forward to in 2021.

It is no secret that the Miami Marlins have one of the most loaded farm systems in baseball.

Entering the 2021 season with the #4 ranked farm system in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, the Marlins have numerous prospects that could make their MLB debuts during the 2021 season. While a few of these prospects made their major league debut during the 2020 season, if those same prospects get called-up this time, it will most likely be for good.

Now there are already Marlins top prospects contributing currently in the major leagues, in particular Nick Neidert and Jordan Holloway, while others such as Harrison and Paul Campbell have also made contributions. While we’ve already seen these players, there are still more to come.

Here are seven of the Miami Marlins top prospects that could either make their MLB debut, or receive a full-time big league call-up during the 2021 MLB season.

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.

6. SS Jose Devers – Miami Marlins #8 Prospect

Speaking of the Giancarlo Stanton trade, arguably one of the main focal points that the Miami Marlins received could see the big-leagues full-time in 2021.

Jose Devers, the Miami Marlins #8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, as mentioned previously was acquired from the Yankees in 2017, but has progressed quickly through the Marlins’ system. The now 21-year old reached High-A during the 2019 season as a 19-year old where he hit for an over .300 average, while also playing in the Arizona Fall League.

In fact, Devers’ 2019 season was one that really started to open some eyes. Playing in 47 games across three different levels, Devers hit for a .322 AVG along with scoring 25 runs, 7 RBIs, and 8 stolen bases.

Devers you could argue is one of the best pure hitters in the Marlins organization. An excellent contact hitter, Devers has shown the ability to get on base consistently, and then make opponents pay due to his speed on the base-paths. While he might not necessarily be the most impressive power hitter, it was encouraging to see him put up some harder contact at the Marlins 2020 alternate training site.

Also an excellent defender, it’s clear why Devers is so highly touted among Marlins prospects. If the Marlins major league starting lineup is set, Devers could turn into one of the better utility players in the NL East.

Devers has already made his MLB debut, as he has seen some action already with the big league club during the 2021 season. If Devers can continue to develop as a hitter, in particular adding more power, he can become a very interesting player for the Marlins in 2021.

5. LHP Braxton Garrett – Miami Marlins #7 Prospect

One of the Miami Marlins top pitching prospects, is 2021 the year that we see Braxton Garrett full-time in the major leagues?

Garrett, the Miami Marlins #7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was the Marlins First Round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft when he was selected seventh overall. Garrett was one of the top pitchers in the 2016 Draft, but suffered an injury early on in his career that cost him almost all of the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Garrett however returned during the 2019 season, and showed everyone as to why he was so highly touted out of high school going 6-7 with a 3.54 ERA. Garrett also put up solid strikeout numbers punching out 119 batters, while also having a .235 batting average against.

So why was Garrett so highly touted out of high school? It’s simple, he had one of the best pure pitches in that Draft.

Garrett displays a wipe-out curveball that was one of the best pitches in that Draft, and is one of the best pure pitches in the Marlins organization today. Pairing that strong breaking-ball with a fastball with excellent command and an improving changeup gives Garrett a 3-pitch mix that can play against anyone.

Garrett earned two starts during the 2020 season at the big league level going 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA, but also showed potential areas of improvement such as H/9 and BB/9.

Starting this season in Triple-A, Garrett has already made his season debut. With success early-on however, we could see the former First Rounder back in Miami once again in the coming weeks/months.

4. OF Jesus Sanchez – Miami Marlins #6 Prospect

Arguably the top Miami Marlins prospect that is off to the hottest start to his minor league season is Jesus Sanchez, making him a prime candidate to receive the call early-on this season.

The Miami Marlins #6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Sanchez was acquired from the Rays back in 2019. After reaching the Triple-A level with Tampa Bay in 2019, Sanchez started in Triple-A with the Marlins organization where he only played for a short time.

Jesus Sanchez 2019 Triple-A stats (via mlb.com)

• 17 games – .246 AVG, 4 HR, 9 RBI, .338 OBP, .446 SLG

Sanchez has impressed as he has risen throughout the minor leagues, in particular with his power potential and his defensive abilities, but has also shown areas where he can keep improving.

Receiving his first MLB action during the 2020 MLB season, Sanchez struggled to get going at the plate. Going 1/25 at the plate in 10 games played, Sanchez showed that he still needed a little more time to develop, and is doing just that so far this season.

As mentioned previously, Sanchez is off to arguably the hottest start to the 2021 minor league season of any Miami Marlins prospect. Off to a 7/10 start at the plate with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs, Sanchez is showing the improvements needed to potentially make a big impact in the big leagues this season.

If Sanchez continues to hit at the rate that he currently is in Triple-A, we might see the 23-year old OF back in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

3. 1B Lewin Diaz – Miami Marlins #5 Prospect

Off to a similar hot start to the Triple-A season as Sanchez, momentum continues to build for Miami Marlins 1B prospect Lewin Diaz.

Diaz is listed as the Miami Marlins #5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and is regarded by most as arguably the Marlins first baseman of the future. Diaz has continued to impress throughout his time in the minor leagues, and now has himself on the verge of the big leagues full-time.

Diaz originally signed with the Twins back in 2013, but was traded to the Marlins in 2019. Diaz struggled initially after he was traded to Miami in 2019 only hitting .200, but the power potential he sports was evident as he hit 8 HRs in 31 Double-A games.

Speaking of that power, that is exactly the kind of hitter that Diaz is. Not only is Diaz a strong defensive first baseman, but the 6’4 24-year old displays a powerful left-handed swing that allows him to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Also evident by 27 HRs across three different teams during the 2019 season, it’s clear that Diaz has big-time power potential.

We’ve already seen Diaz make his MLB debut during the 2020 season where he went 6/39 at the plate with 3 RBIs. While the numbers won’t blow you away, Diaz impressed enough both offensively and defensively for the top prospect to earn a roster spot for the 2020 NL Wild Card Series, despite not playing in a game.

Similar to Sanchez, Diaz is off to a hot start in the Triple-A season where he is 4/9 from the plate with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs. If he keeps this up, Diaz may soon be manning first base with the big league club in due time.

1. OF JJ Bleday – Miami Marlins #2 Prospect

The top Miami Marlins prospect to not yet reach the major leagues, the former First Round pick could make his highly-anticipated MLB debut in 2021.

JJ Bleday is listed by MLB Pipeline as the Miami Marlins #2 prospect, as well as the #16 prospect in baseball. A highly touted and sought-after prospect out of college, Bleday has all the tools to be a special player in the major leagues.

As mentioned previously, Bleday was the First Round pick by the Marlins in the 2019 MLB Draft selected fourth overall. Coming off a special season in which Bleday helped lead Vanderbilt to a national championship, and also leading the nation in HRs with 27, it was clear as soon as the Marlins selected Bleday that he would be a special player.

Spending the remainder of the 2019 minor league season in A+ with Jupiter, Bleday hit .257 with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs. After impressing at the Marlins alternate training site in 2020, Bleday is starting the 2021 season in Double-A with Pensacola where he could soon receive a call-up to Triple-A based on his early season performance.

Bleday is a special player that will feature a prominent role for the Marlins for years to come. Not only is Bleday an excellent hitter, he provides a ton of power with legit 30+ HR a season potential, as well as excellent defense in the outfield.

Even though Bleday is starting in Double-A, he could still reach the big leagues in 2021. The Marlins 2019 First Round pick is as good as advertised, and if he reaches the major leagues in 2021 should contribute immediately.

While we could see numerous Miami Marlins top prospects during the 2021 season, these seven could potentially stay with the big league club if they received the call-up. If they do receive the call as well, expect each to be an instant impact contributor for the Marlins from day one.