Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly: ‘It’s time’ to improve as rebuild hits Year 3
The Miami Marlins have been methodical with this rebuild.
They spent the first two seasons under the Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter ownership group meticulously revamping their depleted minor-league system at the expense of their big-name big-league players.
It has resulted in a top-five farm system.
It also resulted in a combined 120-213 record at the MLB level.
Year 3 is on the horizon, with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in just two months.
A host of the top prospects are on the cusp of their MLB debut.
Time for excuses is running out.
“It’s time,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said, “to start winning some games.”
That will come with refortifying the big-league roster.
They began doing that by acquired versatile infielder Jonathan Villar and first baseman Jesus Aguilar earlier this month and are still in search of a third impact bat this offseason.
But a lot of their long-term work will come from within the organization.
That’s where the minors come back into play.
MLB Pipeline ranks the Marlins as having the No. 4 overall farm system. Six of Miami’s prospects are among the top 100 in baseball: Pitcher Sixto Sanchez (No. 22), outfielder JJ Bleday (No. 29), outfielder Jesus Sanchez (No. 51), shortstop Jazz Chisholm (No. 54), outfielder Monte Harrison (No. 83) and pitcher Edward Cabrera (99).
The entire group minus Cabrera was brought into Miami’s system during the past two years via trade or the draft. In fact, 22 of Miami’s 30 top prospects were not in their system before the new ownership group came in.
Overhauling the minor-league system was just the first step in the Marlins’ plan.
“Prospects are nice,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said, “but the ultimate goal is to win championships. We never lost sight of that, and we’ll never lose sight of that.”
Those players of the future are getting close.
While unlikely, as many as eight top-30 prospects could make their MLB debut at some point this year: Pitchers Sixto Sanchez, Cabrera, Nick Neidert (No. 11) and Jorge Guzman (No. 16); shortstop Chisholm; outfielders Harrison and Jesus Sanchez; and first baseman Lewin Diaz (No. 12). All of them are expected to begin the 2020 season in Double A or Triple A this season, with Neidert, Harrison and Jesus Sanchez being the main candidates to contend in spring training for an Opening Day roster spot.
“A lot of guys we think are going to be part of the future are moving that Triple A range, been through Double A,” Mattingly said. “They’re right there. [We’re] hitting the roster this year with some guys [and] more guys to come.”
The Marlins are also seeing contributions from the players they have acquired over the past two years.
Sandy Alcantara, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Marcel Ozuna trade, has become the ace of the staff. Caleb Smith, acquired from the Yankees in a smaller deal during the offseason before 2018, is likely No. 2 in the rotation.
On offense, Jorge Alfaro (from the J.T. Realmuto trade with the Phillies) is establishing himself as the team’s everyday catcher. First baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper, acquired from the Yankees in the same trade as Smith, hit 15 home runs and drove in 50 runs in 107 games but will likely move to more of a reserve role in 2020. Second baseman Isan Diaz (from the Christian Yelich trade with the Brewers along with Harrison, Jordan Yamamoto and Lewis Brinson) had a shaky MLB debut, but the Marlins still see promise in him.
They are complementing a group of holdovers that include shortstop Miguel Rojas and third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson who have quickly become the established players on the roster.
“We’re still on that plan,” Mattingly said, “and once you get to that point and you talk about being sustainable, then you’re there on an every-year basis. That’s what we’re heading toward.”
This story was originally published December 12, 2019 at 10:49 AM.
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