Ten Miami Marlins prospects to watch as the 2022 minor-league season begins

While the focus for the Miami Marlins is results at the MLB level, don’t forget about the organization’s minor-league teams, where some of the team’s intriguing story lines will unfold.

All four of the Marlins’ full-season minor-league affiliates — the Triple A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Double A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, High A Beloit Sky Carp and Class A Jupiter Hammerheads — will be filled with top prospects. Triple A began its season on Tuesday, while the other three affiliates begin on Friday.

In alphabetical order, here are 10 Marlins prospects who have yet to make their MLB debuts to watch this season.

Outfielder JJ Bleday

This is a key year for Bleday, Miami’s first-round pick in 2019. After struggling at the plate to begin the 2021 season, Bleday started to figure things out at the end of the season and was the Co-Hitter of the Year in the Arizona Fall League. The question now is whether it translates over the course of 2022. Bleday, who has generally been a corner outfielder but is also getting reps in center field, will start with Triple A Jacksonville after spending all of 2021 with Double A Pensacola.

Outfielder Peyton Burdick

Like Bleday, Burdick is entering a big season on a personal level. Burdick, a third-round pick in 2019 who can play all three outfield spots, was the Marlins’ Minor League Player of the Year last season after hitting .224 with a .367 on-base percentage, 823 on-base-plus-slugging mark, 23 home runs, 53 RBI and 76 runs scored and played the final two weeks of the season with Triple A Jacksonville, where he will begin the 2022 season.

Outfielder/first baseman Jerar Encarnacion

The power-hitting Encarnacion broke onto the scene with a strong 2019 season but the canceled minor-league season in 2020 and a right knee injury in 2021 set him back. He’s healthy now and, while naturally a corner outfielder, is playing at first base as well to add some defensive versatility. He will most likely start in Double A Pensacola

Left-handed pitcher Dax Fulton

Fulton, the Marlins’ second pick in the 2020 draft, made 20 appearances (19 starts) between Class A Jupiter and High A Beloit in his first season of pro ball — and first season pitching after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in September 2019 before his senior year of high school. His fastball sits in the mid 90s, and his curveball is his best pitch.

First baseman Troy Johnston

Johnston, Miami’s No. 26 overall prospect, hit .300 with 85 RBI, 15 home runs and 66 runs scored last season between Class A Jupiter and High A Beloit and followed that up with a strong showing at the Arizona Fall League (.296 average, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored in 81 plate appearances). He’s also Miami’s top first baseman prospect not on the 40-man roster, providing organizational depth if he pans out.

Right-handed pitcher Max Meyer

Meyer, the No. 35 overall prospect in baseball, is on the fast track for his MLB debut this season. The 23-year-old pitched to a 2.27 ERA in 22 starts last season between Double A and Triple A with 130 strikeouts in 111 innings. The development of his changeup to complement his high-90s fastball and swing-and-miss slider is the key. He’ll begin the season with Triple A Jacksonville.

Right-handed pitcher Eury Perez

Perez, who doesn’t turn 19 until April 15, was the biggest revelation among Marlins prospects last season. He posted a 1.96 ERA in 20 starts between Class A Jupiter and High A Beloit, striking out 108 batters over 78 innings. The 6-8, 200-pound righty is slated to start his second season of pro ball in Double A.

Infielder Jose Salas

Salas, Miami’s No. 8 overall prospect who turns 19 on April 26, was the Marlins’ top international free agent signing in the 2019 cycle. The switch-hitter has shown a knack for strong defense and hit .305 through 230 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League and Class A Jupiter.

Infielder Khalil Watson

Watson, Miami’s top prospect and the No. 25 overall prospect in baseball, will start the 2022 season with the Class A Jupiter Hammerheads. He was viewed as the steal of the 2021 draft when he fell to the Marlins at No. 16 overall. His scouting report has him as above average with all five tools, and he showed some spark early with the Marlins’ Florida Complex League affiliate before his first pro season was cut short due to a hamstring injury.

Outfielder Noah Williamson

Williamson is the wild card of this group, but the Marlins’ 19th-round pick from the 2021 draft has the raw power to impact a lineup should he pan out.

This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 7:00 AM.

Jordan McPherson

Miami Herald

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Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.