Miami Marlins: Predicting the Top 10 Prospects Post-2021 MLB Draft

10. LHP Jake Eder

2021 Season Stats: 3-3, 1.49 ERA, 0.978 WHIP, 22 BB, 86 K

Undoubtedly the fastest rising prospect in the Marlins’ system over the course of this season is Eder, Miami’s fourth round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. Spending his first professional season down in Double-A with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the 22-year old southpaw has flat-out dominated batters through his first 12 starts this season.

Eder’s 1.49 ERA is among the lowest in all of the minor leagues, while posting an impressive 5.5 H/9 and 12.8 K/9. Even earning an appearance in the 2021 MLB Futures Game over the All-Star break in Colorado alongside another Blue Wahoos teammate (more on that later), Eder’s impressive 2021 season gives the southpaw an excellent case to be considered a Top 10 prospect in Miami’s strong farm system.

9. C Joe Mack

Miami Marlins 31st Overall Pick in 2021 MLB Draft

The first of Miami’s 2021 draft picks to appear on this list, Mack will most likely become one of the Marlins Top 10 prospects the moment he signs with the team. Considered as one of the Top 3 catchers available in the 2021 MLB Draft, Mack fell to Miami as their Comp pick in the first round.

Touted as an above-average defender behind the plate, Mack displays strong fielding abilities along with a plus-arm to combine with a left-handed swing that packs both consistent contact and power potential. The 18-year old backstop will instantly become the top catching prospect in the Marlins organization, making it clear why Mack will be one of Miami’s most exciting prospects from day one.

8. LHP Braxton Garrett

2021 Season Stats: 4-3, 4.41 ERA, 1.196 WHIP, 17 BB, 49 K

If Eder isn’t the top southpaw in the Marlins’ system, you could make an excellent argument for Garrett, the Marlins first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. Splitting time this season between Triple-A and the big leagues, Garrett has spent a majority of that time in Jacksonville playing with the Jumbo Shrimp.

Through 10 starts so far in Triple-A, the 23-year old left-hander has posted a 4.41 ERA in 51 innings pitched. While Garrett has also posted a 5.17 ERA in 15.2 IP with the big league club this season, the southpaw may receive a full-time big league call-up later on this season depending on what Miami does at the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline.

7. 1B Lewin Diaz

2021 Season Stats: .228 AVG, .304 OBP, .532 SLG, .836 OPS, 14 HR, 36 RBI

Another top prospect that has spent time between Triple-A and the big leagues this season, Diaz could very quickly make his way to the big leagues full-time over the next couple of weeks. Yes, depending on what Miami does over the next two weeks, the Marlins currently No. 6 prospect could become the full-time starter at first base.

Diaz has flashed his big-time power potential so far this season in Jacksonville with 14 HR’s up to this point, and is the no-doubt top first base prospect in the Marlins system. If Diaz keeps driving in runs the way he currently is in Triple-A, the Marlins may have no choice but to call-up the 24-year old slugger.

6. OF Jesus Sanchez

2021 Season Stats: .265 AVG, .315 OBP, .434 SLG, .748 OPS, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Sanchez is currently impressing in the big leagues after dominating Triple-A pitching over the first 33 games of the season. Still holding his “prospect” status, Sanchez will still be considered as one of the top prospects in the Miami system until that officially expires.

Despite Sanchez potentially dropping a spot in the prospect rankings post-Draft, that is no fault of his own however as he slashed .349/.400/.643 with nine HR’s and 28 RBI’s down in Triple-A before receiving the call. The 23-year old outfielder will continue to shine in the big leagues for the Marlins for years to come, even despite most-likely losing his prospect status in the near future.

5. RHP Edward Cabrera

2021 Season Stats: 2-2, 3.09 ERA, 1.029 WHIP, 9 BB, 46 K

Possibly the next top Marlins prospect to make his big league debut is Cabrera, a 23-year old right-hander who was signed by Miami back in 2015. After spending a majority of the season up to this point in Double-A with the Blue Wahoos, Cabrera has recently reached Triple-A for the first time in his career.

While Cabrera most-likely would’ve made his big league debut so far either this or last season if it wasn’t for injuries, the hard-throwing right-hander is set to debut in the very near future. Posting a combined 3.09 ERA across three different levels so far this season, if he dominates Triple-A similarly to what he did in Double-A earlier this season, Cabrera’s big league debut might be sooner rather than later as well.

4. SS Khalil Watson

Miami Marlins 16th Overall Pick in 2021 MLB Draft

Arguably the Marlins prospect that most will be excited about post-2021 MLB Draft is Watson, Miami’s first round pick. Widely touted as one of the “steals” of the first round, the Top 5 overall talent fell to the Marlins at pick No. 16, and instantly should become one of Miami’s top prospects, should he sign with the club.

Rated at the No. 4 overall prospect in this year’s draft by MLB Pipeline, Watson displays some of best overall tools of any draft prospect including above-average contact and power from the left-side of the plate, as well as elite speed and plus-defense at shortstop. It’s clear from day one just how good Watson can be, and will be one of the more must-see players in the Miami farm system the moment he plays his first professional game.

3. OF JJ Bleday

2021 Season Stats: .198 AVG, .309 OBP, .325 SLG, .634 OPS, 6 HR, 26 RBI

Bleday will most-likely drop in the post-draft prospect rankings, but it will not be very far at all. Despite a .198/.309/.325 season slash line down in Double-A with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the talent and potential for the 23-year old outfielder is still evident.

The Marlins first round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Bleday has hit for both contact and power everywhere he has been during his baseball career to pair with above-average defense. While the current offensive stats certainly might not be what most people expected, it’s only a matter of time until Bleday begins to click offensively and shows why he is one of the top overall prospects in baseball.

2. RHP Max Meyer

2021 Season Stats: 4-1, 1.65 ERA, 1.150 WHIP, 28 BB, 58 K

The Marlins’ first round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft has dominated from day one down in Double-A with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in his first professional season. Posting a 1.65 ERA, Meyer has looked impressive flashing his above-average fastball and slider, and is surely making his case to be the top overall prospect in the Marlins system.

Earning a trip to play in the 2021 MLB Futures Game over the All-Star break, Meyer impressed out in Colorado in limited action as well. The 22-year old right-hander could quickly find his way to Triple-A soon, and based on Meyer’s previous track record, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball could find his way to Miami at some point in the very near future.

1. RHP Sixto Sanchez

2020 Season Stats: 3-2, 3.46 ERA, 1.205 WHIP, 11 BB, 33 K

Yes, Sanchez is still considered as the Marlins current top prospect, and rightfully so as he is considered as one of the top young pitchers in the game. Even after suffering a season-ending injury causing him to miss all of the 2021 season, Sanchez is still the clear best pitching prospect in Miami’s system.

Sanchez made his highly-anticipated big league debut during the 2020 season where he posted a 3.46 ERA across seven regular season starts, while also making two starts during Miami’s postseason run a year ago. Projected to be ready for Spring Training in 2022, Sanchez will remind us all why he is considered as one of the top young arms in baseball.

While time will tell on the exact prospect rankings, there is no denying that this group 1-10 combined would be among the best in all of baseball. Who do you think should be the new Miami Marlins Top 10 prospects?