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Fish Farm: Justin Nicolino Making Progress

April 22, 2013 in Fish Farm

So far, so good. Justin Nicolino, acquired in the November deal with the Blue Jays, has been making steadly progress with the Marlins A affiliate, the Jupiter Hammerheads.

In fact, let’s let him speak for himself:

Nicolino’s stats are looking solid at this point. If this kid can start getting the K’s that he had in previous seasons with the Blue Jays, the 4th rated best prospect in the Marlins system should be getting a promotion to AA Jacksonville real soon – a team that is already stacked.

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Prospects Ready to Shine in 2013

March 7, 2013 in Featured, Fish Farm

Featured Guest Article from FanDuel.com

The Miami Marlins go into 2013 with pretty low expectations, but the one plus side to the deals they have done is that they now have quite a few interesting prospects in their system. While a lot of them will receive very little playing time at the MLB level in 2013, this season is more about developing the young talent than trying to compete for a World Series at the highest level. Here are three of the best prospects currently in the system, with a general overview on each one as far as what to expect in 2013 and beyond.

Christian Yelich

The outfielder had an outstanding 2012 season, when he his .329/.402/.516 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI and 20 stolen bases. He dominated the Florida State League, showing great poise at the plate despite being just 20 years old.

While it seems unlikely that he can go from Single-A to the majors this season, the Marlins seem to be grooming him to be ready by this time next year. Look for him to get extensive play at multiple levels this year to prove that he has everything figured out. He is in center for now, but he can move to a corner position if needed.

Jose Fernandez

Teaming up with Yelich last season in Jupiter, Jose Fernandez had a truly great season statistically speaking. The right-hander went 14-1 with a 1.75 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 134 innings pitched. His unique arm angle (slightly lower than three-quarters) and solid velocity makes him extra tough on right-handed hitters.

While Fernandez mostly made due with a fastball and two breaking pitches, a changeup will need to be developed for him to make that next step. Due to that, he too will most likely spend all of 2013 in the minor leagues. The Marlins will more than likely have no reason to rush him up, so working on the changeup and repeating his success at higher levels will be the goal this year.

Justin Nicolino

Nicolino might not have the stuff that most top-flight pitching prospects have, but he has great control and a knack for throwing multiple pitches for strikes. For that reason, he is the most likely candidate to make his MLB debut in 2013, but injuries will have to occur to open up a spot for him.

The changeup of Nicolino is something that makes him a legitimate pitching prospect and one to keep an eye on for fantasy baseball 2013. He gets a ton of swings and misses on the pitch, and his deception makes it one of the toughest pitches in baseball.

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Re-evaluating the Marlins and Blue Jays Trade

February 9, 2013 in Offseason

110503_chone_figginsThe Marlins recently signed Chone Figgins to a minor league contract. This guy, back in 2009, was an MVP candidate for the Angels as he was a one-man wrecking crew getting on base, stealing bases, and scoring runs. His stint in Seattle, however, was a disaster.

One of the heavy criticisms this offseason has been that the Marlins had a fire sale and shipped off their best players for nothing in return. Once the dust settled, the Marlins drastically improved their farm system (ranked as high as 5th by MLB.com) and their future. They lost established players like Josh Johnson, Emilio Bonifacio; they lost high-profile free agents like Mark Buerhle, Jose Reyes; they even lost a horrible contract mistake like John Buck. Yet a lot of energy was spent tongue-lashing the Marlins for this gutting of big money and claims were instantly made that this team was facing a horrible 2013 and worse future. Ricky Nolasco wanted to be moved. Giancarlo Stanton, the franchise corner stone, publicly expressed his frustration and doubt of this franchise.

One of the pieces of the trade that frustrated me was losing Bonifacio. Yes, this guy drove me crazy, but he matured and became a formidable asset (to finally make up for the trading of Josh Willingham) that helped rebuild the team speed the Marlins have been known for. Yet now, in Figgins, the Marlins may have found his replacement at a valuable price tag. The only risk the Fish have is, well, none. He is signed to a minor league deal and if he makes the team, they will only owe him the league minimum. If Figgins returns to his pre-Seattle days, he will prove to be a boon to this team. If not, well, they can easily dump him and move on. Yet in Figgins, the Marlins illustrate the exact kind of reclamation project they are about these days.

As for the rest of this trade, well, consider:

  • Can Adeiny Hechavarria replace Jose Reyes at SS? Defensively he definitely will – the only question is, can the Cuban national hit?
  • Rob Brantly will hit better than John Buck and if all the buzz about Brantly’s defense is accurate, then this is a win for the Fish.
  • Can the Marlins find a way to replace the 393.2 IP of Mark Buerhle and Josh Johnson? They acquired more arms from the Blue Jays to stock up their farm system but they will not replace the experience either Buerhle or Johnson had. That said, there is potential in young arms like Jose Fernandez and Justin Nicolino to slide in as early as this season. I’m betting on Fernandez to make a splash. The Marlins did snag a couple of veteran arms that could get some time in the rotation, but even still there looks to be a plan in place to go with a youth movement and see where it takes this team.

If the Marlins are simply going to replace what they have lost, and do it cheaper, then this team is still a 69 win/93 loss team but at a more affordable price. And if winning has anything to do with the direction of this franchise, then they will be able to improve their record and do it at a savings and with an eye towards the future. Can they do that with the given personnel? We’ll definitely find out and a signing like the Chone Figgins signing could play a role.

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Marlins Farm System Boosted Up By Blue Jays Trade

January 31, 2013 in Fish Farm, Offseason

Jose FernandezSay what you will about the Marlins fire sale with the Blue Jays this offseason, but it added more depth to their farm system.

The Marlins, according to MLB.com, have the 5th best rated farm system in terms of yielding prospects rated in their top 100. They have 6 players in the top 100, matching the best by any club. In fact the Marlins and the Mets are the only two teams with 2 players in the top 13. Who are they? Jose Fernandez (7th), Christian Yelich (13th), Jake Marisnick (70th), Justin Nicolino (72nd), Andrew Heaney (81st), Adeiny Hechavarria (82nd).

Nicolino, Marisnick, and Hechavarria come over from the Blue Jays – and Hechavarria is already slated as the opening day starter at SS. Marisnick fares to be in the OF alongside Yelich to start the season where the two will surely continue to solidify their approaches in preparation for an arrival in the big leagues.

Jose Fernandez has arguably the best stuff in the entire class and is primed to become a fixture in the rotation sporting ace-quality pitches. Both he and Yelich figure to be impact players and along with the other members of this group are expected to form a new core around Giancarlo Stanton who, only 23, is going to anchor this lineup for the foreseeable future.

The fact is, the Marlins added some more top pieces to the farm and have more depth that should start reaching Miami by the end of this season and into next season. The future for the Fish is paved with greater potential, but it remains to be seen if that will translate into greater wins as well. The Marlins were able to transition back in 1998 after the fire sale and in 2006 with a young team under then-manager Joe Girardi who initiated a bunch of young players into competitive baseball.

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Miami Marlins: Fernandez, Yelich among six on MLB.com top 100 prospects

January 30, 2013 in Fish Farm, Offseason

Four other teams had as many as the Marlins, but no organization in baseball placed more prospects on the MLB.com top 100, announced Tuesday night on MLB Network.

Right-hander Jose Fernandez (seventh) and outfielder Christian Yelich (13th) are the blue chippers. The others who cracked the list: outfielder Jake Marisnick (70th), lefties Justin Nicolino (72nd) and Andrew Heaney (81st), and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (82nd).

Fernandez, Yelich and Heaney are Marlins’ first-round draft picks. Marisnick, Nicolino and Hechavarria arrived earlier this offseason in the blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays that sent Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck north.

“It’s just experience, playing at the higher level,” President of Baseball Operations Larry Beinfest said of Fernandez and Yelich, both of whom are expected to open the season at Double-A Jacksonville. “There’s not a defined flaw for either one that we’ve identified.

“I know Christian has worked very hard on his throwing mechanics and done a great job adjusting to center field. They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them. To achieve at the level they’ve achieved already, there’s always things you can refine but the basics are there for them to be very successful.”

via Miami Marlins: Fernandez, Yelich among six on MLB.com top 100 prospects – Sun Sentinel.

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The Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins consummated one of the largest trades in baseball history Tuesday, in what amounted to an epic backpedal from the Marlins’ aggressive spending less than one year ago. – MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN

November 13, 2012 in Offseason

The Blue Jays are set to acquire starters Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, shortstop Jose Reyes, infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio and catcher John Buck from the Marlins, sources told FOXSports.com.

The Marlins will receive a package that includes shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, major-league starter Henderson Alvarez, minor-league starter Justin Nicolino and center fielder Jacob Marisnick.

A catcher also will go to Miami in the trade — J.P. Arencibia, Jeff Mathis or Bobby Wilson.

via The Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins consummated one of the largest trades in baseball history Tuesday, in what amounted to an epic backpedal from the Marlins’ aggressive spending less than one year ago. – MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN.

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