The Marlins announced Monday that they’ve officially promoted top prospect Isan Diaz for his MLB debut (as had been previously reported), recalled Lewis Brinson from Triple-A New Orleans and selected the contract of right-hander Robert Dugger. Miami also placed infielder Neil Walker (sprained index finger) and outfielder Cesar Puello (left hip flexor strain) on the 10-day injured list, activated righty Ryne Stanek for his team debut and optioned right-hander Kyle Keller to New Orleans.
In Diaz, the Marlins will get their first look at one of the key pieces in the Christian Yelich blockbuster. Diaz currently ranks between 86th and 90th on the midseason top prospect rankings of MLB.com (86), Fangraphs (89) and Baseball America (90). He’s clobbered Triple-A pitching at a .305/.395/.578 clip, belting 26 homers, 21 doubles and two triples along the way. Originally drafted as a shortstop, he profiles better at second base from a defensive standpoint, and the Marlins hope he can be a long-term piece in the infield. Scouting reports generally suggest that his plus raw power and solid plate discipline give him a reasonable chance of being an offensive-minded everyday second baseman.
Brinson, of course, was the headliner in that Yelich swap but has yet to cement himself as a regular in the Miami outfield in parts of two seasons with the club. Since his most recent demotion to Triple-A, though, Brinson has turned in a .270/.361/.510 batting line with 16 home runs and 16 steals. That only translates to nine percent better than the league average in the ridiculous Pacific Coat League hitting environment (109 wRC+), but Brinson’s solid productivity has earned him another look. Strikeouts continue to be an issue (100 in 339 Triple-A plate appearances), but he’s demonstrated the speed and power that have long made him such an intriguing prospect.
Dugger, meanwhile, came to the Marlins in the trade that sent Dee Gordon to the Mariners. He began the season with 70 2/3 innings of 3.31 ERA ball with 9.3 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.76 HR/9 and a 45.6 percent ground-ball rate in Double-A. Like so many pitchers, Dugger has been blown up in Triple-A, with a 9.34 ERA and seven home runs allowed in 35 2/3 innings since a midseason promotion. (Generally speaking, onlookers should take Triple-A stats with more of a grain of salt than ever before, given the bloated offensive numbers throughout the league.) That’s not to say that Dugger is a premium prospect, however. He ranks near the back of Miami’s top 30 prospects (24 at MLB.com, 27 at Fangraphs) and is most optimistically viewed as a back-of-the-rotation starter, though scouting reports on him also point to a possible future in relief.
It’ll also be interesting to see how Miami ultimately opts to utilize Stanek, whom they acquired alongside prospect Jesus Sanchez in a trade sending righties Nick Anderson and Trevor Richards to the Rays last week. Stanek has been the Rays’ most prolific opener since the team adopted that tactic last season and generally enjoyed favorable results. In 122 innings from 2018-19, Stanek has recorded a 3.17 ERA with 10.5 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and 1.1 HR/9.
Stanek has pitched in late-inning situations in addition to his work as an opener, and the general fluidity of the Miami bullpen situation could serve as an avenue for Stanek to receive some save opportunities. The Marlins traded closer Sergio Romo to the Twins, and Anderson (traded for Stanek) was the presumptive heir apparent in the ninth inning. Drew Steckenrider has experience in the role but has been injured much of the season. Stanek, meanwhile, boasts a fastball that averages better than 97 mph and can reach triple-digit velocity readings, so he certainly has prototypical closer’s stuff if Miami chooses to try him at the end of games rather than the beginning.
“Flurry” is used here (correctly) to describe a lot of moves at once. But when it’s snowing and you talk about a flurry you’re talking about the lowest volume of snow possible. It really doesn’t make any sense when you think about it.
life leaves more questions than answers, fellow sage.
It does, that’s why I eat Arby’s.
Sounds like a discussion to be had with an Eskimo.
kind of like saying long term and marlins in the same sentence
A flurry of snow is also meant as windy blowing snow, so the news here is quick and abundant
This is more like a McFlurry.
Does anybody care?
#FreeMonte
Your 2022 World Series Champs
C Jorge Alfaro
1B Lewin Diaz
2B Isan Diaz
SS Jazz Chisholm
3B Brian Anderson
LF Jesus Sanchez
CF Monte Harrison
RF JJ Bleday
Bench
UT Jose Devers
1B Garett Cooper
OF Victor Victor Mesa
C Will Banfield
Rotation: some combo of
Sixto Sanchez, Edward Cabrera, Sandy Alcantra, Braxton Garrett, Nick Neidhart, Pablo Lopez, Jordan Yamato, Trevor Rodgers
Bullpen:
Jorge Guzman, Dugger, Steckenrider, Stanek, Guerrero, Quijada
By 2020 deadline, Caleb Smith, Urena and other pieces will be traded for more prospect depth… I’m not so sure about Brinson figuring things out
Marlins gonna be a problem soon.
As soon as they show value they’ll be dealt for the next prospect and as soon as they show value…rinse, wash, repeat…
No problem as long as they can win one or two World Series within the next 5 years will be worth it. Every team has ups and downs.
One or two? Why stop there when they can win all 5 with a bunch of kids. Then again while they’re adding prospects to marginal talent other teams are adding prospects to major league squads to fill in the gaps.
Let’s just enjoy the ride and see what happens with the developing team. Let’s not act like Mets fans and act like we need to predict greatness that may never come.
It’s must be really sad to be you. To look into the mirror with so much low self esteem. I hope you get some professional help. Your hatred towards the Mets is unhealthy.
That is a pretty bad pitching staff though, better hit up FA.
That’s a great roster you put up there.
The one thing I can see the Marlins doing by then is use some of their prospect pool to trade for a #1 SP. Even if Sanchez becomes an Ace type of pitcher he’ll probably become their #2 or even their #3 guy and then the rotation will be stacked. Similar to how the Astros have used their prospects to trade for front line SPs.
surpised they haven’t promoted eddy alvarez yet. local kid and he’s killing it in AAA.
Isn’t he like 29 years old?
Won’t be 30 until January. Still just a kid.
Uh, I think that the Marlins will be okay without bringing up a journeyman for the sake of him being a local guy, who is a kid in life, but a journeyman minor leaguer with a short shelf life. The only people that would be complaining about him not being up are his personal friends and family.
Getting ready for the playoffs
AAAA playoffs right around the corner…
Loving the kids are gonna start coming up.
Keeping all of the parts moving to give the illusion of progress.