A Marlins mound visit: Multiple top prospects providing pitching depth unprecedented for franchise

JUPITER, Fla. — It has pretty much become his catchphrase.

“You can never have enough pitching,” Michael Hill, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations, will often say during interviews.

Hill has seen talented young arms like José Fernández and Josh Johnson become aces and All-Stars during his 17-year tenure in Miami.

He saw a rotation headlined by Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, Brad Penny and A.J. Burnett blossom and lead the Marlins to a World Series title in 2003.

But the Marlins rarely, if ever, have amassed this level of pitching depth throughout their organization.

Overshadowed by their woeful offensive output through the season’s first 22 games, the major-league rotation — made up of four second-year starters (Caleb Smith, Trevor Richards, Pablo López and Sandy Alcantara) and José Ureña — has shown glimpses of its long-term potential.

Smith has been particularly impressive as one of the toughest pitchers to hit in baseball with a 19.2 percent hard-hit contact rate that ranks in the top 3 percent among all pitchers, according to Statcast, and a 2.48 FIP that ranks third overall.

And down on the farm scouts are seeing signs that a couple of former first-round picks and recent trade acquisitions are among those who could find their way to the majors very soon.

Here’s a look at a potential future ace, the first call-up if reinforcements are needed, and what some scouts think of the all-prospect rotation in Jupiter:

Note: Prospect rankings according to MLB Pipeline.

Itching to get started

RHP Sixto Sanchez (No. 1, No. 26 in MLB)
Age: 20. Ht./Wt.: 6-0/185.

Sanchez’s tantalizing potential has many within the organization eager to see him face hitters in minor-league games again.

The plan is for Sanchez (who has been on a very conservative throwing program since coming over from the Phillies because of right elbow inflammation that ended his 2018 season) to make his debut on May 2 with Double-A Jacksonville.

Sanchez threw two innings in an intrasquad scrimmage during extended spring training last week in Jupiter where he touched 98 mph and threw consistently in the upper-90s. He also showed a repeatable delivery and worked quickly on the mound as advertised.

Sanchez, arguably the key piece for the Marlins in the Realmuto trade last February who has drawn plenty of comparisons to Pedro Martínez and Luis Severino, struck out 45 and walked 11 batters in 46 2/3 innings before being shut down last year at Advanced-A Clearwater. Sanchez also had a collarbone injury that kept him from competing in the 2018 Arizona Fall League.

“I can’t wait to get to Jacksonville,” Sanchez said. “Every time I go out to the mound, I’m looking to throw strikes, work on my command and stay focused on my fastball, slider, curveball. I was very focused on throwing my fastball down low, and outside.”

Sixto Sánchez threw 2 innings in the scrimmage and now throwing a little more in a pen. Touched 98 mph in the game. 🔥⚾️ #Marlins ⁦@TheAthleticMIA⁩ ⁦@TheAthleticMLB⁩ pic.twitter.com/awwsULZq86

— Andre Fernandez (@FernandezAndreC) April 18, 2019

A new rotation in the making?

With three lefties and two righties who can throw consistently in the upper-90s,  the Marlins have a rotation at Advanced-A Jupiter that includes five pitchers who could carve their respective paths to the majors by 2021.

RHP Jordan Holloway (No. 13 – 20th-round pick in 2014)
Age: 22. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/190.
2019 stats (Advanced-A Jupiter): 14 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 11 BB, 18 K, 1.29 ERA.

The Marlins were so impressed by Holloway’s recovery from Tommy John surgery nearly two years ago that they protected him by adding him to their 40-man roster. As he did during instructional league last fall, Holloway continues to consistently throw his fastball in the upper 90s and complement that with a plus-curveball during his first three starts in Jupiter.

Jupiter manager Todd Pratt said Holloway and Braxton Garrett, the Marlins’ 2016 first-round pick who is also coming off Tommy John, would likely have some innings restrictions this season.

Holloway hasn’t shown any ill effects but some of the same command struggles he had in spring training have surfaced at times so far this year despite the impressive velocity that gives him the potential to be a rotation piece or possibly even a high-leverage reliever as one scout told The Athletic.

“He has always fought with command even when he was young,” said a scout who has watched Holloway pitch since his pro debut. “He’s trying to pitch up in the zone and a lot of guys sometimes can’t do that and he’s looked uncomfortable doing that. It’s not an easy thing to do. It’s an art. He’s still young and missed a lot of time, so it could get better.”

Another scout said Holloway has shortened his delivery and it looks “more fluid, downhill and quicker to the plate,” which should continue to generate that velocity.

But Holloway’s command of his fastball, curve and changeup will ultimately dictate how far he makes it. Holloway is projected by MLB Pipeline for a 2020 debut.

“He’s a guy that can shoot to the front of a rotation,” a scout said. “The power gives him that opportunity. But only time will tell.”

RHP Edward Cabrera (No. 8 – 2015 International signing from D.R.)
Age: 21. Ht./Wt.: 6-4/175.
2019 stats (Advanced A): 10 1/3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 12 K, 3.48 ERA.

Of the Marlins’ top 10 prospects, Cabrera has spent the most time in the organization, but injuries have delayed his potential rise through the system.

Cabrera, who touched 101 mph with his fastball early in his pro career, has developed more of an ability to pitch than just throw with power as he’s shown he can with an upper-90s fastball, according to one scout.

“I think he’s at least a mid-rotation guy, if not better,” one scout said. “I can confidently tell you he’s a rotation piece.”

Some lower back discomfort sidelined him for a week, but after pitching 100 1/3 innings last year, the Marlins are looking for control and durability from Cabrera.

“They’ve really worked with me with my mechanics throughout the spring to help me improve my delivery, and that’s been working,” he said.

Another scout believes Cabrera has the potential to make up for lost time and rise through the system quickly if he continues to learn to locate his secondary pitches – mainly his changeup – to complement the powerful fastball.

“I love that kid,” the scout said. “He made a huge step from last year. His body is in good shape. He’s confident. He’s athletic. He’s been able to repeat his delivery a lot better. He’s another guy that has a chance to move and move quickly. If Cabrera is dealing, they could challenge him and move him up. Everything about him made a step up in all aspects.”

LHP Will Stewart (No. 21 – acquired in Realmuto trade)
Age: 21. Ht./Wt.: 6-2/175.
2019 stats (Advanced A): 1.47 ERA, 18 1/3 IP, 18 K, 6 BB, 0.93 WHIP.

Stewart relies more on movement and creating weak contact than overpowering velocity like Holloway and Cabrera.

Coming off an impressive season at Class-A Lakewood (Phillies), where he compiled a 2.06 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP and a 2.4 groundout/flyout ration over 20 starts (113 2/3 innings), Stewart is still working on missing more bats in 2019 as he continues to rely on a sinker he throws with an interesting, low, three-quarters delivery.

Scouts believe if he remains effective, he projects as a back-end rotation piece, but still needs at least a year and likely two before a major-league debut.

“He’s a ‘pitchability’ lefty that will get guys out with command, mix and stuff,” one scout said. “He won’t overpower you, but he will throw strikes and get batters to chase. He knows how to expand the zone and get guys out.”

LHP Braxton Garrett (No. 7 – 2016 first-round pick)
Age: 21. Ht./Wt.: 6-3/190.
2019 stats (Advance A): 13 2/3 IP, 3.95 ERA, 6 ER, 12 H, 20 K, 5 BB

Garrett, who roomed with Holloway as each rehabbed after Tommy John surgery, is trying to make up for lost time this season.

“My main goal is to make every start,” Garrett said.

The 7th overall pick of the 2016 draft from Florence, Ala., has made three starts so far in Jupiter with mixed results but shown an effective array of pitches, including a curveball and change to go with his low-mid 90s fastball.

“His arm has looked really strong and if he keeps progressing, he has a chance to be really good,” one scout said.

Garrett said it’s been a process of rediscovery after surgery just learning how to use his pitches again after more than a year-long layoff.

“I trust my stuff when I go out to pitch,” Garrett said. “I’m kind of still learning again what I was before because it’s been a while. I’m just now figuring out what regular soreness is instead of something related to the surgery.”

LHP Trevor Rogers (No. 13 – 2017 first-round pick)
Age: 21. Ht./Wt.: 6-6/185.
2019 stats (Advanced A): 2.93 ERA, 15 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 18 H, 12 K, 5 BB.

Rogers, a cousin of former standout Marlins’ outfielder Cody Ross, got a late start to his pro career after the Marlins chose to delay his debut with one of their affiliates until 2018.

Control issues with secondary pitches led to a subpar 5.82 ERA in 17 starts (72 2/3 innings) at Class-A Greensboro last year even though he struck out 85 and walked 27 batters.

Development of that curveball, slider and change is paramount for Rogers, whose tall frame and mid-90s fastball drew a comparison from one scout to Marlins starter-turned-reliever Adam Conley.

“(He has a) pretty good fastball but not the greatest of secondaries,” a scout said. “He’s got good arm strength, but he’s a bullpen guy for me at this point.”

The first call

RHP Zac Gallen (No. 18 – acquired in Ozuna trade)
Age: 23. Ht./Wt.: 6-2/190.
2019 stats (Triple-A): 0.36 ERA, 0.63 WHIP, 25 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 32 K, 4 BB, 12 H.

Gallen leads all pitchers in the Pacific Coast League in ERA over his first four starts in Triple A. Gallen benefitted from a full season in Triple A last year and a solid spring training (12 strikeouts in nine innings).

The Marlins’ major-league rotation hasn’t had any spots open yet this season. If Gallen continues his torrid pace, he figures to be the first one in line to be summoned.

Stepping up to the plate against #Marlins’ No. 18 prospect Zac Gallen? Good luck. 👀

Tonight for @cakesbaseball: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
This season: 25.1 IP, 12 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 31 K

Here’s how all @Marlins prospects are faring: https://t.co/RUU0xeJOov pic.twitter.com/QNGH9y37ti

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 23, 2019

Sleepers to keep an eye on

Jordan Milbrath (6-6, 215 pounds), a 27-year-old right-hander acquired in a trade with the Indians for Nick Wittgren, has 13 strikeouts and no walks in 9 1/3 innings of relief at Double-A Jacksonville.

RHP Dustin Beggs (6-3, 180), a 16th-round pick in 2016, has risen quickly through the system going from Class-A Greensboro at the start of last season to pitching at Triple-A New Orleans on Sunday. The 25-year-old former University of Kentucky standout tossed seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and no walks on 94 pitches.

(Top photo of Sixto Sanchez: Courtesy of the Miami Marlins)