Miami Marlins: RHP George Soriano, C Nick Fortes enter Top 30 prospects

When the Miami Marlins acquired catcher Jacob Stallings in a trade from the Pirates on Monday afternoon, a notable part of the return for Pittsburgh were two of Miami’s Top 30 prospects – RHP Kyle Nicolas and OF Connor Scott.

Rated as the Marlins No. 16 and No. 23 prospects at the time according to MLB Pipeline, both Nicolas and Scott will now join the Pirates organization where Nicolas is now rated as Pittsburgh’s No. 24 prospect.

Because of this however, two prospects have now entered the Marlins Top 30, both of whom could have an impact at the major league level in the next one-to-two years.

George Soriano and Nick Fortes enter Miami Marlins Top 30 Prospects

Arguably the most-notable of the two is 22-year-old George Soriano, a right-hander who signed with Miami back in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic.

Having only pitched four seasons since 2015 (missed 2017 & 2020), Soriano showed flashes in previous years, but enjoyed a breakout season in 2021 between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit. Making 18 total starts between the two, Soriano posted a combined 7-1 record with a 3.43 ERA across 89.1 innings pitched, a stretch that included 37 walks and a career-high 114 strikeouts.

Soriano throws a three-pitch mix that is led by an impressive fastball and slider, as well as an improving changeup. The right-hander can use all three to strike batters out, but a potential role as either a starter or reliever will depend on his improving command.

Nick Fortes on the other hand is a player that made his major league debut with Miami at the end of last season going 9-for-31 with four home runs offensively.

The Marlins now No. 30 prospect, Fortes was originally a fourth round pick by Miami back in 2018 out of Ole Miss. An impressive defensive catcher, Fortes is a candidate to serve as the Marlins backup catcher in 2022 at the big league level.