Hill gives mid-spring Marlins assessment

JUPITER, Fla. -- Midway through Spring Training, the Marlins’ front office is seeing signs that its top priority is taking shape, not just at the big league level, but also throughout their Minor League system.

Starting pitching will dictate how quickly the organization's building process will take. And in recent years, through trades and the Draft, quality candidates are spread up and down the pipeline.

“I think the biggest thing that you can look to halfway through the spring is that this team is going to be built on its pitching,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Tuesday morning. “Our starting pitching is going to set the tone for us.”

Jose Urena has already been announced as the Opening Day starter on March 28 against the Rockies at Marlins Park. Dan Straily is the expected No. 2 starter, and in the mix for the other three spots are Wei-Yin Chen, Pablo Lopez, Trevor Richards, Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith.

Smith is recovering from lat surgery and has been facing batters in simulated games on back fields. The left-hander is healthy and is in the process of getting game-ready.

Lopez missed last September due to a right shoulder strain and has thus far impressed in Spring Training. On Monday, his fastball reached 97 mph, which is greater than any reading he had in a big league game in 2018.

What will factor into the decision process of which starters will break camp with the club?

“We’re obviously looking at the five that are going to give us the best opportunity to win every day,” Hill said. “Also, we’re going to look to see if we do have to transition guys if it’s to the ‘pen or the Minor Leagues. We’re just going to be mindful of what is in the best interest of that player, first and foremost. And then secondly, what we think will be best for the Miami Marlins.”

Looking at the organization through a wider lens, there is starting pitching depth at Triple-A New Orleans, Double-A Jacksonville and Class A Advanced Jupiter.

“You are talking about layers of talent, and starting pitching that will allow us to take our time with guys, first and foremost,” Hill said.

Right-handers like Nick Neidert and Zac Gallen, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the club's No. 4 and 19 prospects, respectively, are getting closer to being big league ready and are expected to open the year at New Orleans. Jorge Guzman (No. 10) could be headed to Double-A and Jordan Holloway (No. 14) to Jupiter.

“It gives us waves of talent to be able to compete on a year-in, year-out basis and allow for that sustainable winning that we expect to have,” Hill said.

Along with starting pitching, Hill addressed some other topics:

Depth?

“I’d say this is arguably the most depth we’ve had when you think about our upper-level talent, be it either starting pitchers or position players,” Hill said. “Our system has never had the opportunity to grow and to cultivate talent. We’ve always sort of run guys through the Minor Leagues. So, it’s nice to be able to layer it up, and to be able to back guys up, and allow them to finish off in the Minor Leagues before we ultimately bring them to the big leagues.”

Position players?

“On the position-player front, it’s great to see Brian Anderson and Lewis Brinson making adjustments that we gave them heading into the offseason, working hard in the offseason, and then applying those early in camp,” Hill said.

Second half of Spring Training?

“We need to get ready for the season,” Hill said. “Opening Day is coming, March 28. You’re going to see our starting pitchers go deeper into the games. You’re going to see our regulars -- our position players -- playing more innings. And going back-to-back [games] because they’re getting ready for the season.

Prospects Isan Diaz (second base), Monte Harrison (outfield)?

“With 68 players in camp, we get to see some of the future,” Hill said. “To see what Isan Diaz can do in his second big league camp, and to see how much more comfortable he is, and the quality at-bats he’s given us.

“Monte Harrison, and the adjustments he’s been able to make, having had a full year at Double-A and going to the Fall League. So in that aspect, it has been great to see what your young players are doing as they continue their progress and their development towards their ascent to the big leagues.”