Veteran scouts assess Marlins position players and prospects
What do the Marlins have in their offensive players? We solicited input from two veteran scouts from other teams who - between the two of them - have seen all of these players.
Some feedback, offered on condition of anonymity because their teams do not authorize them to speak publicly:
▪ Infielder/outfielder Jonathan Villar: “Came to Baltimore with some baggage but gave effort day in, day out, wasn’t any trouble in the clubhouse. Second base is his best position but he can play all over and would be fine in the outfield. Don’t think he will hit for as much power in Miami [as he did in Baltimore, where he slugged 24 homers last season]. Everyone wants those types of guys who can play multiple spots, as opposed to a big guy who doesn’t move well. Good athlete, gives you really solid numbers.”
▪ Outfielder Corey Dickerson: “Always liked him. He missed quite a bit of time with injury but when he plays, he’s pretty consistent. Professional hitter. A good regular, but not an All Star obviously and isn’t going to be one. I know he won a Gold Glove [in 2018]; I never quite saw that” level of defense.
▪ First baseman Jesus Aguilar: “Some guys were surprised he did as well that one year [.274, 35 homers, 108 RBI for Milwaukee in 2018, far above his career averages]. Sometimes you have success and pitchers make some adjustments, and that’s what might have happened last year [when he hit .236, 12 homers, 50 RBI for Brewers and Rays]. But it’s not a lot of money to take a chance on him. He looked out of shape when I saw him in Tampa last year.” Aguilar will emerge from arbitration with a salary of $2.3 million or $2.6 million.
▪ New backup catcher Francisco Cervelli: “Hopefully he’ll teach Jorge Alfaro to call a better game. Alfaro has never really had that type of mentor anywhere. An upgrade over what they’ve had” with Bryan Holaday and Chad Wallach.
▪ Shortstop prospect Jazz Chisholm: “He’s still very young (21). If you can get him to control the strike zone and get a feel for what pitches he can drive and what he should take, that will be important. Still more of a damage guy than a consistent hitter.
“Zach Gallen [whom the Marlins traded for Chisholm] was going to be a back-end starter down the road. If you get a position player who can be an All Star, you might want to take a chance, and Chisholm can be that. But that trade was a risk.”
▪ Second baseman Isan Diaz: “Left me with mixed emotions. Saw some good but wasn’t overly impressed, especially with the glove.”
▪ Outfield prospect Monte Harrison: “Another guy with all the tools you ever would want but it’s a matter of recognizing pitches. He made some adjustments [to cut down on strikeouts]. He has the tools to be an All Star if he could put it all together. But he could also end up being the same player as Lewin Brinson. Not convinced.”
▪ Outfield prospect Jesus Sanchez: “Didn’t see him much since the trade [with Tampa Bay] but a toolsy kid that has all the physical things you want to see.”
▪ Shortstop prospect Jose Devers, who missed much of last season because of injury: “He needs to add strength. He’s got the defensive tools and puts the bat on the ball pretty well. I could see him developing some power. But he needs to get stronger and stay on the field.”
▪ Outfield prospect Victor Victor Mesa: “I was not a huge fan. I don’t love the way he goes about playing the game. He needs a little more fire. Seems a little lackadaisical from when I’ve seen him. He can really play defense but I don’t know how much punch I see in the bat. He’s probably a reserve outfielder at the major league level.”
▪ First base prospect Lewin Diaz: “He’s got some things with his swing that are tough to harness at times but has all the power in the world and plays decent defense. I wouldn’t worry too much about the [.200 average in Double A for the Marlins after hitting .302 in Double A for the Twins earlier last year]. There’s an adjustment period. I expect him to be better.”
▪ Outfield Harold Ramirez: “Coming to the Marlins was a great choice for him because he got a chance to play. Unorthodox swing but made the most of his opportunity. He could be an every day guy” if surrounded by quality starters in the outfield.
▪ Outfielder Jerar Encarnacion: “Interesting kid. Swung the bat really well at [low-level Class A] Clinton, didn’t do as well at high A level. Has some tools. Could develop into something.”
▪ Catcher Will Banfield: He said he’s not down on him despite the .199 average at Clinton, because of his defense and run production (nine homers, 55 RBI in 101 games): “He’s got a little pop with the bat; will hit a lot of doubles. Super athletic; can catch and throw. I could see him becoming an every day guy.” The Marlins have Alfaro under team control through 2023, and Banfield obviously has a long way to go.
The scouts did not see enough of the Marlins’ top three picks in June - outfielders J.J. Bleday, Kameron Misner and Peyton Burdick - to comment. Here’s what Marlins president/baseball operations Michael Hill said about how they played last season.
Coming Wednesday: The scouts assess Marlins pitchers.
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 6:18 PM.
