Breaking down the Marlins' latest roster moves
JUPITER, Fla. -- In the latest wave of roster moves on Tuesday morning, the Marlins sent down four of their Top 30 prospects.
Below is a breakdown of what each player showed at big league camp:
RHP Sixto Sánchez (No. 11 prospect)
Grades that stand out (20-80 scale): Fastball (70), Changeup (65), Control (60)
The 24-year-old Sánchez, who hasn't pitched in a game since 2021 Spring Training because of right shoulder setbacks, has thrown four bullpen sessions this spring.
"First of all, his offseason was as good as anybody's," manager Skip Schumaker said. "Everybody says 'best shape of my life.' That's like the quote that everyone uses when they come into spring. He actually is in the best best shape of his life. He continued working hard throughout Spring Training. His progression is exactly what we were hoping it'd be at, where it increased velocity and intensity every bullpen. His long toss, the whole thing is right where it should be. We're hopeful that we see him at some point this year."
INF Xavier Edwards (No. 12 prospect)
2022 stats: .246/.328/.350, 19 doubles, one triple, five homers, seven steals in 93 games at Triple-A Durham
Grade that stands out: Run (60)
Acquired from the Rays along with JT Chargois in November, Edwards collected a hit in five of his 10 spring games and he scored five of the seven times he reached base. A middle infielder by trade, the 23-year-old will also see time in center field.
"He's an attractive player because he can play multiple positions," Schumaker said. "He's going to play a little bit of the outfield in Triple-A. He can impact the game in a number of different ways -- whether it's on the bases, [as a] switch-hitter -- and when you can do that and play on the left side of the infield, you can help any team, and that's why he's so valuable for us. He has a great demeanor, a good work ethic, so we're happy that he's in this organization."
INF Nasim Nuñez (No. 21 prospect)
2022 stats: .251/.384/.317 with 17 doubles, three triples, two homers and 70 stolen bases between High-A Beloit (85 games) and Double-A Pensacola (38 games)
Grades that stand out: Run (70), Arm (65), Field (70)
The 22-year-old Nuñez appeared in seven Grapefruit League games, collecting three hits in eight at-bats and scoring twice in his second big league camp. He walked once, struck out once and got caught stealing once. A shortstop, Nuñez also saw time at second base.
"Nasim was the one that opened our eyes probably the most, because I didn't really know who he was other than he was a prospect," Schumaker said. "He came into camp stronger. He impacted the baseball much more than we anticipated him doing. The message was he needs to be a hit collector and not worry about damage or any of that kind of stuff, but be the guy that just constantly collects hits, table-sets. He's got maybe the strongest arm in our organization on the infield side, which I didn't know, and obviously the stolen-base stuff with the new rules is a difference-maker. Really good kid, asked the right questions. Looking forward to seeing what he does this year."
RHP George Soriano (No. 26 prospect)
2022 stats: 2.72 ERA, 1.26 WHIP with eight saves between Pensacola (eight outings, six starts) and Triple-A Jacksonville (32 outings)
Grade that stands out: Fastball (70)
Soriano, who turns 24 next week, appeared in two Grapefruit League games during his first big league camp. He tossed a scoreless frame on Feb. 28, walking and striking out a batter. On March 4, Soriano retired the final batter of an inning after Jesús Luzardo reached his pitch count, then struggled with his command upon his return to the mound. He walked two and hit a batter, with all three runners scoring after he exited.
"I think he's going to help us eventually. It's up to him, though, now," Schumaker said. "He's got real stuff. The fastball/slider combination is real. The slider is a wipeout slider. Can he command both those pitches? It's kind of the next step in his development. He showed what he can do, has big league stuff, it's just now, can he be a big leaguer? And I think he's very, very close."