This veteran MLB scout assesses the Miami Marlins’ pitchers and pitching prospects
What do the Miami Marlins have in their pitchers and pitching prospects. In part 2 of a 2-part series, we solicited input from a scout from another team who has evaluated all of these players, with input offered on condition of anonymity:
▪ Right-handed prospect Sixto Sanchez: “I saw him early last year, and he wasn’t as sharp. But the more I saw him, he’s the real deal. Should be a top end starter. Big time stuff.”
▪ Right-handed pitching prospect Jorge Guzman: “I saw him the last month and I was like, ‘Wow, this guy has really come along.’ I think he’s a back-end big league starter, and I originally had him more as a reliever.
He’s only 23, big arm. Breaking ball has come along; it’s still not a wipeout pitch but good enough” to complement a 100-mph fastball.
▪ Left-handed prospect Trevor Rogers: “Not a huge fan; reminds me of Adam Conley. More of a velocity guy. In his defense, I haven’t seen him when he’s been at his best, and his velocity was down in one of his starts that I saw. But I see him more as a reliever.”
▪ Left-handed prospect Braxton Garrett: “I like him a lot. Has a feel for pitching. Really good breaking ball. To me, he’s a middle of the rotation guy.”
▪ Right-handed prospect Edward Cabrera: “He’s got big stuff. If he can harness it all, the sky is the limit for that guy. He’s blessed with a pretty incredible arm. He’s a middle of the rotation guy at least, could grow into better than that.”
▪ Right-handed prospect Jordan Holloway: “Big arm, big breaking ball. Will flash a really good change-up but obviously needs more seasoning. He’s probably better for the bullpen. Possibility he could be a starter if he figures things out.”
▪ Right-handed prospect Nick Neidert: “Was just OK to me; I know he missed time with the injury last year but I thought he was better the previous year. He’s more of a depth starter [sixth or seventh starter if needed]. Same with Elieser Hernandez. A depth guy.”
▪ Right-hander Jordan Yamamoto: “He did well his first four starts but not a huge fan. His stuff was short. Will need to be really fine with location and work the ball around the plate to be effective” and a longterm starter.
▪ Right-hander Sandy Alcantara: “He can be a top end of the rotation guy, a two or three. Knows how to pitch and has the stuff to go with it. Was really impressed.”
▪ Right-hander Pablo Lopez: “I know he struggled [coming off the injury]. I thought his stuff has been decent but he wasn’t getting outs. I liked him earlier last year before the injury.”
The scout is eager to see if Caleb Smith resembles the pitcher who was dominant in the first half last season (4-4 in 13 starts, 3.50 ERA, .201 average against) but far less effective in the second half (6-7, 5.52, 13 starts, .242 average against). He likes the stuff but worries about the regression in control (21 walks in 72 innings before All-Star break, 39 in 81 after).
Here’s part 1 of the series with scout input on the position players.
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 11:59 AM.
