I know this will be of a bit different series for a Mets blog. Covering the teams of the NL East prospects, but we should know what players our competitor’s have on the horizon. The Phillies and Braves will not be the NL whipping boys forever. The Nationals will be making moves to improve during the season and prospects are their currency. And the Marlins, well the Marlins will use their prospects to get out of bad contracts, and Loria will sell his draft picks for a good tee time.

The Marlins are the first team I will cover. Full disclosure this is the only team in the division that I have not seen any of the players in person. I would say it is a top ten list, but just identifying 10 worthy prospects was a challenge. There is a noticeable drop off after the top 5 in my opinion.

Know your enemy

Scouting the Miami Marlins top prospects

#1 Stone Garrett, OF – BP Video

2016 Opening Day Age: 20  Height/Weight:.6’2” 195 lbs.  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired:  Drafted in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, George Ranch HS (Richmond, TX); signed for $162,400

Notable rankings:  None

2015 Stats:  .297/.352/.581, 11 HR, 8 SB at short-season Batavia

2016 Level:  Low A, Greensboro

ETA: 2019

Thoughts/Comps: I am sure I will get some grief for not having Kolek here, and even more so for not having him number 2. Garrett is my number one because he is the only one close to offering any where near 5 tool talent in the Marlins system. His plus bat speed can generate power, and solid plus speed gives him a tantalizing profile. He should stick in center if he can learn to take better routes, or he will head to a corner, where his bat should still play. On a comp level fellow Marlin Marcell Ozuna comes to mind, as a gifted yet inconsistent CF. His upside is Eric Davis like though.

#2 Josh Naylor, 1B – BP Video

2016 Opening Day Age: 18   Height/Weight: 6’0” 225 lbs.  Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 12th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, St. Joan Arc Catholic SS (Mississauga, ON, Canada); signed for $2.2 million

Notable rankings:  MLB.com #8 1B

2015 Stats: .327/.352/.418, 1 HR in 105 PA at Gulf Coast League

Thoughts/Comps: Power, one word sums it up, it is true plus, plus grade.The Canadian born 2014 UA All-American has a closed stance with minimal movement. He demonstrates great bat speed and extension that comes from quick hands, the ball explodes off the bat. Plus bat control should keep strikeouts at a reasonable level for a power hitter Potential middle of the order bat. His Molina like foot speed, and Dom Smith like body will keep him as a 1B/DH only profile. Which is the only reason I didn’t rank him #1. The bat can be really special, if he does get a Batavia assignment his BP would be worth going to. If Dom Smith showed this power during BP, he would be a consensus top 20 overall prospect. Easy comp will be to anyone named Fielder.

#3 Tyler Kolek, RHP- Video

2016 Opening Day Age: 20  Height/Weight:. 6’5” 260 lbs.  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, Shepherd HS (Shepherd, TX); signed for $6 million

Notable rankings:  2015 BA #52, 2015 MLB.com #27 – Not on either publications 2016 list

2015 Stats:  4.56 ERA, 108.2 IP, 106 H, 61 BB 81 K at Low-A Greensboro

Thoughts/Comps: Well I had him here at 3 before the announcement for TJS, and if the Marlins had anyone worthwhile afterwards I may have considered dropping him back a few places, but such is the said state of this farm here he stays. The former number 2 overall pick, reportedly hit 100 in HS. Since turning pro he has maintained a velocity in the mid-nineties with some sink. That is all that he has shown though. Watching his video, you see he has trouble repeating his delivery and the landing spot. Not sure if it is a matter of getting comfortable with his size or just poor mechanics, but two years in these things should be working themselves out.

His secondary offerings are still below average, his curve-ball has a slurve look, and his change-up doesn’t fool anyone or get strikes. For someone with his potential, l the lack of strikeouts (6.71k/9) is more than a bit discerning, especially at the lower levels and since his walk totals are what you would expect, (just north of 5BB/9) from a young flamethrower. There is the near top of rotation upside, but right now I see another hard throwing reliever. Luke Hochevar is my comp…

#4 Brett Lilek, LHP –  Video

2016 Opening Day Age: 22  Height/Weight: 6’4” 220 lbs.  Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Acquired: Drafted 50th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, Arizona State University; signed for $1 million

Notable rankings:  None

2015 Stats:  3.34 ERA, 35 IP, 7 BB, 43 K at short-season Batavia

Thoughts/Comps: He demonstrated the control that proved to be elusive to him in college, walking 7 in 35 innings. A southpaw with average FB (sits low 90’s touches 95) with secondary offerings that flash above. He has the build and easy motion that project to a mid rotation innings eater. He will have to prove he can continue the command he showed in the NYPL for his stock and profile to rise. Terry Mulholland is the name I have heard as a comp, Patrick Corbin seems to be a modern day name to compare.

#5 Jarlin Garcia, LHP –  Video

2016 Opening Day Age: 23  Height/Weight: 6’3” 215 lbs.  Bats/Throws: L/L

Drafted/Acquired: Signed by Miami August 2010 out of the Dominican Republic for $40,000

Notable rankings:  None

2015 Stats: 3.57 ERA; 133.2 IP, 134 H, 40 BB, 104 K at High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville

Thoughts/Comps: Garcia has a nice easy delivery that consistently delivers a low 90’s FB consistently around the zone. He had been a year to year level guy until last season. From what I have read he has 4 offerings, though the game I watched he only showed 3. Not a flashy upside but a reliable back end guy. Jon Niese anyone? 

#6 Kendry Flores, RHP – Video

2016 Opening Day Age:  22  Height/Weight: 6’2” 195 lbs.  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired: Signed in June 2009 out of Dominican Republic for $125,000 by the San Francisco Giants; acquired from Giants for Casey McGehee

Notable rankings: None

2015 Stats: 2.29 ERA, 118 IP, 83 H, 29 BB, 85 K at High-A Jupiter, Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans; 4.97 ERA, 12.2 IP, 16 H, 4 BB, 9 K at Miami  

Thoughts/Comps: Not an exciting profile, but does his job. Not an overpowering strike thrower with good command, and a plus change who won’t beat himself. (sound familiar?) Very little projection remaining, debuted last season for 12 inauspicious innings. Swingman back end starter role is his ceiling, if you want to throw a Dillon Gee ceiling I don’t think anyone would argue.

#7 Nick Wittgren, RHP – Video

2016 Opening Day Age:  24  Height/Weight: 6’2” 210 lbs  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired:  Drafted 287th overall (9th round) in the 2012 MLB Draft, Purdue University; signed for $128,800

Notable rankings: None

2015 Stats:  .2.95 ERA, 64 IP, 67 K, 8 BB, 20 Saves at Jacksonville and New Orleans

Thoughts/Comps: Kevin Plawecki’s former battery mate at Purdue is a strike thrower out of the bullpen. He offers good command to all four quadrants and an easily repeatable delivery that hides the ball well helps his low 90’s FB play up. Highest floor in the system from what I see, a legitimate major league RP. If he maintains the excellent control an upside of Mark Melancon is possible.

#8 Brian Anderson 3B – Video

2016 Opening Day Age:  22  Height/Weight: 6’3” 185 lbs  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired:  Drafted 76th overall in the 2014 MLB Draft, University of Arkansas, signed for $600,000

Notable rankings: None

2015 Stats:  .235/.304/.340, 8 HR, 2 SB at High-A Jupiter

Thoughts/Comps: College draftee, hit the ground running in 2014 to fall flat in 2015. Swing can get out of control at times, at other times he is locked in and looks like a legit MLB 3B. He should remain at third with occasional 2B fillin. His upside is higher, but you know your system is bad when Eric Campbell is the name that comes to mind for a comp.

#9 Austin Dean, OF  Video

2016 Opening Day Age:  22  Height/Weight: 6’1” 190 lbs.  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired: Drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft, Klein HS (Spring, TX); signed for $367,200

Notable rankings: None

2015 Stats:  268/.318/.366, 5 HR, 18 SB at High-A Jupiter

Thoughts/Comps: A kind of utility OF who shows some pop, with decent speed, though not enough to stay in CF. Has a plan at the plate, though swing can get long when he tries to do to much. Power will need to continue to show up in games for him to reach the majors since the arm for RF isn’t there. 15/15 upside is there with a like Chad Curtis (minus convictions hopefully) career possible.

#10 Isaiah White OF –Video

2016 Opening Day Age:  19  Height/Weight: 6’0” 170 lbs  Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Acquired:  Drafted 85th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, Greenville HS, signed for $698,000

Notable rankings: None

2015 Stats:  .294/.321/.381 with 13 SB for GCL Marlins

Thoughts/Comps: A double-plus runner, could be a true playable 80 speed with some better reads, both in the OF and on basepaths. Has a wiry frame that could add mass without sacrificing athleticism. Has some pop potential in the bat, more so than the traditional burner. As with any raw prospect, needs to work on approach at the plate and pitch recognition and some coaching is needed on the swing mechanics. Long road to any type of impact but if he puts it together a Devon White like player.

Overview: The Marlins continue to be an organization that changes direction at the whim of MLB’s worst owner. The only system that should be graded as worse would be the Angels. Just two years ago this system had at least a semblance of potential with Andrew Heaney, Colin Moran, Jake Marasnick, and Trevor Williams. There are a few guys who could be interchangeable with the guys the 8-10 spots including Isael Soto, (who had a bad 2015), hard throwing Jordan Holloway (who was the youngest pitcher in the NYPL), and Chris Paddack. It is very telling that six out of the ten prospects listed are from the two most recent drafts.