Going from a powerhouse system like the Braves to this Marlins farm is going to feel a little disappointing. But give Miami credit for making a couple of moves this offseason to quickly add some Top 100 talent. Not only did they sign Victor Victor Mesa out of Cuba, but also made the swap for Sixto Sanchez (and Alfaro to boot). I genuinely like following real teams during a rebuild. Unlike us dynasty owners, they have to worry about other stuff like putting butts in the seats and all that. I mean, I can only speak for myself. Maybe some of you charge admission for people to watch your live scoring feed while drinking an $8.00 Bud Light.
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1. Victor Victor Mesa, OF | Age: 22 | ETA: 2019
Mesa is one of the latest Cuban imports and is probably a better real life player than fantasy one. But he can hit and has plus speed to impact the steals category. The ceiling is an everyday center fielder with 8-12 homers, a .280 average, and somewhere between 20-25 steals. Most project he’ll be up in 2020, but I’m thinking he’ll actually be up later this year once he’s got the rust off…plus he’d be a draw in Miami. With an ADP around 600, he’s really not in the mix for redrafts right now though.
2. Sixto Sanchez, RHP | Age: 20 | ETA: 2020
For obvious reasons, Grey asks me about ETA, and one of the players he asked about was Sixto at the time of the Realmuto trade. Sanchez is very talented, and his ceiling is a frontline starter, but he’s coming off an injury and a season in which he only threw 46 innings. That makes me think we won’t see him at all this year. Could be a really interesting rookie gamble in redrafts this time next season though.
3. Monte Harrison, OF | Age: 23 | ETA: 2020
Of the three Grade A prospects in this system, Harrison might actually have the most fantasy ‘upside’. The thing with these athletic two-sport types is that while they’re really toolsy, it often takes them a bit longer to get comfortable. That’s probably why we’ve been talking about Harrison for going on five years now. If he pans out, it’s a power/speed combo and some 20/20 type seasons…maybe more. There’s a lot of risk to bust though…37% strikeout rate isn’t what you want from a 23-year-old in AA, even if he does hit 14 homers and steals 28 bags.
Grade B
4. Isan Diaz, 2B | Age: 22 | ETA: 2019
Diaz split time between AA and AAA in 2018, hitting a lusty .232…hooray! There’s some pop and speed, and yes he’ll likely be up this year, but here’s another iffy approach – 27% strikeout rate. At least he walked more than Monte (13%). I could see taking a flyer (flier?) in an NL-only league or a deep dyno. Seriously though, how do you spell flyier in this context? I’ve seen it both ways and you know I’m all about me spulling and grammur.
5. Nick Neidert, RHP | Age: 22 | ETA: 2019
I’m sure it’s pronounced Nydert, but I prefer to think of him as Kneedirt. That way – in my head – he’s like this cool cat who really grinds on the diamond and doesn’t play by the rules. Yeah, I’m Nick Kneedirt. It’s not just a name…it’s a lifestyle *takes a drag of banana dreamz vape* So here we have your typical mid-rotation starter type. He threw 150+ innings in AA last year with some success, so I’m thinking by mid-2019 he gets at least a look-see in the Miami rotation.
6. Connor Scott, OF | Age: 19 | ETA: 2022
The 2018 first-round pick for the Fish, Scott is your prototypical center field prospect – good hit tool, below-average power, and plus speed. His debut wasn’t anything to write home about outside of his 11% walk rate, but obviously he’s just getting his feet under him in the pros and dynasty owners will need to exert some patience.
7. Osiris Johnson, SS | Age: 18 | ETA: 2023
Even younger than Scott, Johnson had about 85 plate appearances in A-ball last season. He has the tools to be an MLB regular (maybe not at short) and make an impact in fantasy, but it’ll take some time. The dream is 20/20. The nightmare is a complete bust. Or this. Yeah that’s no good either. Hold me.
Grade C
8. Sandy Alcantara, RHP | Age: 23 | ETA: 2019
Miami has every reason to give Alcantara the chance to work out as a starter, but there is some bullpen risk associated with him in the long run. He has over 400 minor league innings under his belt going all the way back to 2014. But his strikeout numbers aren’t high enough for me to swallow the command issues that I think are going to be his ticket to the pen. You’ll likely see him much higher on traditional lists.
9. Jose Devers, 2B | Age: 19 | ETA: 2022
Devers is a totally different cat than his cousin Rafael. He’s a plus hit/speed infielder with below-average power. He had a cup of coffee in High-A after spending most of 2018 in the Sally. No homers, but a decent average and double-digit steals…plus a nice low strikeout rate. More to monitor than to snag, but an interesting bat down here in the bottom third.
10. Braxton Garrett, LHP | Age: 21 | ETA: 2021
Garrett has really good stuff from the left side, but he’s coming off Tommy John (ew!) and didn’t pitch at all in 2018. He’s a solid buy low because this time next year he could be right back up there with Sixto and the like.
