How a shortened season impacts two top Marlins prospects’ chances at a 2020 MLB debut
In an ideal scenario, the Miami Marlins would see two of their top pitching prospects make their major-league debuts this season.
But time — innings, really — might not be on the side of Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera in 2020.
While nothing can be ruled out, especially in the uncertain times created by the coronavirus pandemic, a shortened season and at least eight starting pitchers ahead of them in the pecking order for five spots might make it difficult for the Marlins to justify calling up either pitcher this season. Both are reporting to Jupiter along with 15 other prospects when the second round of training camp begins Friday. The main group of contenders to be on the Opening Day roster are reporting to Marlins Park.
“I think everyone is confident that we’ll get them the work that they need in Jupiter,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said, “and if and when the need arises, we know that it’s a seamless transition to get them to Miami.”
The potential is undeniable. Sanchez, obtained from the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the J.T. Realmuto trade in February 2019, is Miami’s top prospect and the No. 22 overall prospect in baseball according to MLBPipeline. He has four MLB-quality pitches, highlighted by a fastball that’s usually around 95-99 mph.
Cabrera, the Marlins’ fifth-ranked prospect and the No. 85 overall prospect in baseball, has a fastball that hit 102 mph during spring training that he complements with a changeup that sits in the low 90s and a curveball in the mid 80s.
Another factor that could help: Both are on the 40-man roster, making it easier to add them to the active roster should they be needed.
Working against them: The starting pitching depth the Marlins have ahead of them.
When spring training halted, four pitchers appeared to have locked up places in the five-man rotation: Sandy Alcantara, Jose Urena, Caleb Smith and Pablo Lopez. Jordan Yamamoto and Elieser Hernandez were competing for the final rotation spot, with the other a candidate to be a long reliever out of the bullpen. Robert Dugger made his MLB debut last year. Fellow prospect Nick Neidert had a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League last year and would have been a contender to make his MLB debut if he didn’t have to undergo right knee surgery two starts into the Triple A season.
“Their path is pretty much up to them and opportunity,” Hill said, “but we’ve worked very hard in trying to build layers of talent and layers of depth.”
Report day
Players begin reporting to their training camp site on Wednesday, at which point they will undergo a COVID-19 intake screening. This includes a temperature check, a body fluid sample (either saliva or an oral/nasal swab) and drawn blood for antibody testing. They will then go into a self-quarantine for 24 to 48 hours while they wait test results. A negative test results in the individual being allowed to report to the team’s facility.
During spring training and during the course of the season, players will have their temperature tested frequently (including at least once daily at home before arriving to the stadium and when they arrive to the stadium) and be tested for COVID-19 every two days.
“MLB has done a tremendous job of putting the protocol in place and making sure that clubs do everything to keep everyone else safe,” Hill said. “It’s gonna take effort on everyone’s part to do their part and to be safe and socially distance themselves and keep everyone out of harm’s way. We’ll be mindful of the protocols in place for everyone to follow and just know that this will be a challenge for all of us and we’re going to have to be mindful and do everything to keep ourselves safe.”
On that note, the unidentified Marlins player who tested positive for COVID-19 but was asymptomatic “feels great,” said Hill, who added that the Marlins “will follow the protocol as it pertains to his re-acclimation to the group.”
This story was originally published June 30, 2020 at 10:58 AM.
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