Miami Marlins Prospect Profile: Why Thomas White is the next great South Beach Ace

For all their eccentricities, the Miami Marlins have established several key franchise traits. On the negative side, they are financially cheap (even when they don't have to be), and they have a concerning history of burning fans with untimely fire sales, and they are prone to massive streaks of mediocrity.

On the positive side, they have an unusually high ceiling, winning two World Series titles in a very short franchise lifespan. Additionally, they are among baseball's premier clubs at identifying and developing pitching.

From Josh Beckett, to Jose Fernandez, to Dontrelle Willis, to Josh Johnson, to AJ Burnett, to Sandy Alcantara, to Eury Perez (with many more in between), Miami has raised as many recent star pitchers as anyone.

Marlins fans can get excited about another potential gem rising through their system. As the club navigates uncertainty around Alcantara, experiences transition with Jesus Luzardo, and exercises their patience with the recovery of Perez, another star is building. His name? Thomas White.

Despite a flurry of moves that have transformed Miami's farm system, their #1 prospect has remained unchanged. White is the Marlins' best hope for a true superstar.

The 20-year-old lefty has an unbelievable package of pitches. His stellar fastball (in the mid-to-high 90s, with room to grow as he enters his physical prime) and air-bending curveball alone would make him a future star. However, White also features a plus changeup. All three of these pitches profile as effective options at the major-league level.

White's imposing frame (6'5", 210lbs), which has drawn comparisons to longtime veteran Rich Hill, further bolsters his case as a future ace. He looks every bit the part of a future star the moment he steps foot on the mound. And his elite stuff, which has a higher upside than Hill had at any point in his career, only raises his profile.

Miami fans are understandably frustrated after losing a high-upside starter in Luzardo. They will be heartbroken if/when Alcantara is ultimately moved.

However, White's presence in Miami's system represents an important glimmer of hope. A window for the low payroll roster to make significant waves behind an elite pitching duo of Eury Perez and Thomas White will open soon.

When you mix options like Noble Meyer, Robby Snelling, Adam Mazur, and more, all of whom will develop through the Marlins' unique pitching factory, a path toward postseason contention is open.