Miami Marlins: Which Players Could we See in a Future Home Run Derby?
With the Home Run Derby set to take place tonight at Coors Field in Colorado, this marks the lone event of the 2021 MLB All-Star festivities that includes no representation from the Miami Marlins.
While you could’ve made an excellent argument for Adam Duvall, the team leader in HR’s (19) and RBI’s (62), to participate in baseball’s premier showcase for power hitters, that unfortunately was not the case this season. However, despite Miami not having a representative in 2021, there are numerous younger players within the Marlins organization we could see taking part in the Home Run Derby for years to come.
Who will represent the Miami Marlins in a future Home Run Derby?
When looking at potential options to represent the Fish going forward in a future Home Run Derby, there are currently five potential options that stick out in particular.
First, and arguably the most obvious, is currently No. 5 prospect Jesus Sanchez. Sanchez’s swing and ability to make hard contact would be perfect for a home run derby, as he would certainly provide his fair-share of tape measure shots.
While Sanchez would certainly be must-see, the player with arguably the best previous track record however is No. 2 prospect JJ Bleday. After leading all of Division-I in HR’s back in 2019 before being selected fourth overall by the Marlins, Bleday has only hit nine HR’s so far during his professional career, but has some of the best pure-power in the Miami organization, grading out as a 60 on MLB’s 20/80 scale.
What about left-handed hitters in Lewin Diaz and Griffin Conine? These two have combined to hit 32 long balls so far this season, with Conine in contention for the overall minor league lead. Don’t forget about Peyton Burdick either, who has 13 HR’s so far this season in Double-A as well.
The Marlins’ prospects do not only comprise one of the best farm system in the game, but display some of the best pure-power bats in all of baseball. While this year’s Derby doesn’t feature any Marlins, Miami will certainly be in contention to send a representative often in the coming years with these five leading the way.