Standouts from the Marlins’ rookie-level minor-league affiliates as their seasons end
While the Miami Marlins’ four full-season affiliates still have anywhere from two to three weeks on their schedule (not including any potential playoff competition), the rookie-level Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League schedules have come to an end.
While the prospects who play in these levels are still years away from reaching the majors, the Marlins had some standouts who spent the majority of their season at this level.
Some standouts:
▪ Right-handed pitcher Breidy Encarnacion: A international signing in 2018, Encarnacion, 21, was at the low end of the Marlins’ top-30 prospects back in 2020. This season was his third of professional baseball and his second time playing with the Marlins’ FCL affiliate. After struggling in 2021, Encarnacion posted a 1.93 ERA in 12 appearances (four starts) this season, striking out 34 batters while walking eight through 28 innings and holding opponents to a .153 batting average. His fastball is in the mid-90s with high spin rate and his arsenal also includes a curveball and changeup.
▪ Left-handed pitcher Dameivi Tineo: The 6-3, 170-pound 19-year-old posted a 0.86 ERA through 21 innings with 24 strikeouts against five walks and a .116 batting average against in six appearances (five starts) for in the FCL before moving up to Single A Jupiter in August.
Tineo utilizes both a four-seam fastball and a sinker that sit in the low 90s to go along with a mid-80s changeup and a pair of breaking balls (both a slider and curveball) that are in the mid-70s.
▪ Outfielder Noah Williamson: The Marlins’ 19th-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft finished 23rd among qualified hitters in the FCL with a .725 on-base-plus-slugging mark to go along with 20 RBI, 27 runs scored, 13 doubles, three triples and two home runs. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts (71 Ks over 171 plate appearances), but he’s dangerous when he makes contact. His .403 batting average on balls in play (which doesn’t factor in strikeouts or home runs) was the third-best in the FCL.
▪ Right-handed pitcher Jorge Mercedes: The 22-year-old posted a 2.63 ERA in 15 appearances (five starts) with one save, 43 strikeouts against 17 walks and a .152 batting average against over 24 innings before being promoted to High A Beloit last week.
▪ Catcher Ronald Hernandez: Ranked as the No. 21 prospect in Miami’s system by MLB Pipeline, Hernandez is a switch-hitter known more for his defense than his bat. He threw out one-third of potential basestealers this season and his arm strength is one of his biggest attributes.
▪ Outfielder Jose Gerardo: The 17-year-old, ranked as the Marlins’ No. 20 overall prospect, finished tied for third in the Domincian Summer League with 11 home runs, 12th with a .968 OPS and tied for 14th with 44 runs.
▪ Right-handed pitcher Lester Nin: The 18-year-old struck out 40 batters while walking just six over 35 2/3 innings spanning eight appearances (seven starts) in the Dominican Summer League. Nin pitched at least four innings without allowing a run in four of his final five starts, including five shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in his final start on Aug. 13.
▪ Infielder Marco Vargas: The 17-year-old left-handed-hitter posted a .319 batting average with an .877 OPS, 18 extra-base hits (13 doubles, three triples, two home runs), 38 RBI, 30 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and 35 walks while striking out just 32 times in 221 plate appearances over 53 DSL games.
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