Taking a look at Marlins' new Top 30 Prospects
This browser does not support the video element.
This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola's Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Much has changed in the five months since MLB Pipeline released its preseason prospect rankings.
Marlins phenom Eury Pérez graduated from prospect status and blossomed into one of the game's top young pitchers. Miami became a buyer at the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, parting with five prospects in order to bolster the ballclub for the playoff chase.
As a result, there has been a shakeup in the Marlins' Top 30 list, which features five newcomers -- all of whom the organization acquired in the 2023 MLB Draft. Leading the way is prep pitcher Noble Meyer, the 10th overall pick and the only Top 100 prospect for the Marlins. Meyer, who recently made his pro debut with the Florida Complex League Marlins, is one of 12 arms on the Top 30 list for an organization known for developing pitching.
With a new Dominican Republic Academy, the Marlins' commitment to the international market shows with nine international free agents on the list. What's still missing is a homegrown bat quickly rising through the system and ready to impact the big league club.
Here’s a look at the Marlins' top prospects:
1. Noble Meyer, RHP (MLB Pipeline's No. 60 overall)
2. Thomas White, LHP
3. Max Meyer, RHP
4. Xavier Edwards, 2B/OF
5. Jacob Berry, 3B/1B
BIGGEST JUMP/FALL
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:
Jump: Dane Myers, OF/3B/1B (Preseason: NR | Midseason: 14)
Myers, acquired by the Marlins in the Minor League portion of the Rule 5 Draft last December, began his pro career as a pitcher in the Tigers' system before making the transition to a full-time position player after the COVID-19 pandemic. With injuries to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jonathan Davis, the 27-year-old Myers received his first callup at a new position: center field. Myers began his MLB career 16-for-36 (.444) before going 1-for-23 (.044) and being optioned.
This browser does not support the video element.
Fall: Jordan Groshans, INF (Preseason: 10 | Midseason: NR)
Selected 12th overall by the Blue Jays in the 2018 MLB Draft, Groshans came to the Marlins in the Anthony Bass/Zach Pop deal ahead of the 2022 Trade Deadline. He earned a cup of coffee in the Majors later that season, batting .262 with one homer in 17 games. Despite bulking up over the offseason in the hopes of adding pop, the 23-year-old has gone deep just six times in 106 games and is hitting .241 for Triple-A Jacksonville entering Sunday.
NEW TO THE LIST
Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:
1. Noble Meyer, RHP (Draft)
2. Thomas White, LHP (Draft)
9. Kemp Alderman, OF (Draft)
10. Brock Vradenburg, 1B (Draft)
17. Andrew Lindsey, RHP (Draft)
IMPACT CALLUP
Xavier Edwards, 2B/OF (No. 4)
Acquired along with J.T. Chargois in a trade that sent a pair of pitching prospects to the Rays last November, Edwards is blocked in Miami by Luis Arraez and Chisholm, but could at least play a useful role off the bench with his hitting ability and speed. He's batting .372/.443/.478 with 30 steals in 80 Triple-A games, and went 8-for-21 (.381) in a brief trial with the Marlins in May.
BEST TOOLS
Players are graded on a traditional 20-80 scouting scale for future tools: 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Xavier Edwards
Power: 60 -- Kemp Alderman
Run: 70 -- Nasim Nuñez
Arm: 80 -- Jose Gerardo
Defense: 70 -- Nasim Nuñez
Fastball: 60 -- Noble Meyer (Max Meyer, Karson Milbrandt, Thomas White)
Curveball: 60 -- Dax Fulton (Jacob Miller, Josh Simpson)
Slider: 70 -- Max Meyer
Changeup: 60 -- Patrick Monteverde
Control: 55 -- Noble Meyer (Patrick Monteverde)