The Legend of Benny Maybird

[Francoeurstein]

--What if I told you that perhaps the most talented baseball player in the planet is located in semi-rural Iowa, in the heart of the Midwest? That might as well be the case...

Benjamin Thomas Maybird was born on January 29, 2004 in Des Moines, Iowa before his family settled in the city of Ames shortly after he was born. He comes from humble beginnings, his father Tommy Maybird was a star pitcher at Iowa State who now coaches baseball at the local high school. His mother, Patsy, is a registered nurse at Mary Greenley Hospital. Ever since he was a young child, he was always one step of all of his peers. He has fond memories as an undersized 10-year old playing on a 13-and-under travelball team, batting in the 3 hole. His natural ability oozed despite the massive physical differences - and the game always came easy to him.

Benny decided to go by his name because of his favorite movie: The Sandlot. His family and closest friends call him Benji. Benny has never had an issue making friends, he carries himself with a strong demeanor and has a certain gravitas about him. He has a large circle of associates, but only has a few people he would really consider true friends. Everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - has always come easy to Benny. As a freshman at Ames Central High School, he was named starting QB of the varsity football team and led his team to the second round of the state playoffs - throwing for 2,500 yards as a gawky freshman with uncanny athleticism and acumen. He gave up football after suffering a concussion in the state playoffs and decided to focus on baseball and basketball.

Benny has been the starting shortstop at ACHS since he was a 7th grader. As a 13-year old, he had no issue turning around mid-80's fastballs from some of the better pitchers in his region. And while yes, it came naturally to him, nobody could outwork Benny. Benny is incredibly diligent with his training and refuses to take a rep lightly during his hundreds of daily swings in his backyard batting cage. He also is able to keenly hone in intense and detailed exercise/nutrition practices to mold his sturdy frame. At 6'2", 200 lbs, Benny is an athletic specimen. He glides to the ball at short, and delivers the ball like a dart across the infield with a near-flawless throwing motion. He has an incredibly high baseball IQ and he's a fearless leader by example. He is vocal when needed, but he thrives off of rallying the troops with positive reinforcement.

We haven't even gotten to his hitting. Scouts that have seen Benny play say that he was created in a laboratory. He has a beautiful right-handed swing with a slight upper hitch and a violently-twisting torso. He is able to keep his bat under control while providing a supersonic boom towards the ball. One scout said that he is the best amateur prospect since A-Rod: "He's got the physical ability of A-Rod and the makeup of Jeter. With 80 tools across the board, teams should be salivating for this once in a generation talent". It should be noted that particular scouting report was written when he was 15.

Perhaps more importantly than his ability, Benny is an incredibly humble young man who resents talking about himself - often deferring to his teammates, coaching staff, or family. He has a ball on the diamond, and it shows in his demeanor. When he makes an error or swings and misses, it's almost like it energizes him. His laser-like focus is unmatched and he's only 17 years old.

Prior to his junior season at ACHS Benny, a diligent student with a 3.9 GPA, declared that he will be entering the MLB draft after this season. His backup plan is to enroll at Duke University and study pre-law while obviously playing on the team. He has no such intention of playing in the NCAA, although he would like to study law independently while in pro-ball. Benny grew up a Red Sox fan and idolized Dustin Pedroia as a kid - admiring his scrappiness. Benny considers himself a "dirtbag" although he has the natural ability of an inner-circle Hall-of-Famer.

Although he grew up a rabid Sox fan, there's a non-zero chance that he will wear a Boston uniform in the near future. The Miami Marlins, a team that finished 47-114 last season, and is in danger of relocation has the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft. Miami has a solid farm system, but the organization with a weak fanbase needs a reason to show up to the park. Benny is the type of transcendent talent that can shake an entire organization to it's core.

[Francoeurstein]

Draft Day 2021:

--The Miami Marlins are on the clock for 15 minutes for the 1st overall selection in the Amateur Draft. Barely two minutes into the ordeal, GM Michael Hill phones the commissioner with his selection. It was the easiest decision he would ever make.

Commissioner Manfred: "With the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Amateur Draft, the Miami Marlins select Shortstop Benny Maybird out of Ames Central"

Benny, whose in attendance with his parents, sister Stacy, and girlfriend LeeAnn, smirks and is filled with elation. His family was overwhelmed with emotion, as was Benny, but deep down, he knew it was time to get to work.

Let's talk about the Marlins for a second. As it's well-known the Marlins have one of the strangest trajectories possible for a franchise. Yes, they won 2 Championships in their first decade of existence, but have never made the playoffs outside of those two seasons. The past decade or so has been particularly grim, and there has been whispers of the team possibly relocating to Montreal or Portland. Fortunately the current iteration of the Marlins are youthful and talented, as they currently sit at 35-30 and 1.5 games up in the second Wildcard spot. The team boasts the 6th best farm system in the game and has the lowest payroll in baseball. So what's the issue?

Well, there is almost no fanbase in Miami as we speak. The team is drawing roughly 16,000 fans a game, up 6k from last year, but still dead last in the league. Even winning baseball won't put butts in the seats. The ownership group, led by Derek Jeter, is hoping that Maybird is the guy that finally takes charge in Miami. They're hoping that he is a guy that demands you to watch him and spurs a whole new generation of diehard Marlins fans - a franchise that has never really had anything close to that.

Fast forward to July 10th: The papers have officially been signed! Benny has officially signed with the Miami Marlins for a $12.5 million signing bonus - life-changing money. Benny-Mania has officially begun, by July 12th his jersey has already become the top-selling jersey out of the entire Miami Marlins organization. People are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the new wunderkind - but they might have to hold their horses, and he's set to report to the Gulf Coast League. Benny says his goodbyes, holding tears back, showered with "I love you's" and "Make me proud's". It's hard to leave Iowa. It's hard to leave his family. He touches down in Florida on the 11th with one thing on his mind: It's time to work.

Update: The shocking Marlins are sitting 54-43 at the All-Star break, 2.5 games up on the Cubs for the second spot in the Wildcard.

[Francoeurstein]

--August 3, 2021

Unsurprisingly, Benny has come out to pro ball hitting on all cylinders. After going 0-4 in his professional debut, he began to tear up rookie league pitching, slashing .390/.486/.678 in 14 games against much older competition. His white-hot start earned him a call-up to Low-A ball, where he will suit up for the Batavia MuckDogs.

Benny, who seemed challenged for the first time in his career, had this to say: "Everybody here can play. This is the first time in my life I've seen mid-to-upper 90's consistently. The guys are nasty - and they're hungry too. They're out here to prove themselves. After a tough debut, I started to settle in and feel confident at the plate. I'm incredibly thankful for the call-up to Batavia, where my family will have easier access to my games."

On the major league front, the Marlins are starting to face regression, which seemed inevitable given their surprising start. They sit at 60-56 and 7.5 games behind Atlanta for the division lead. Fortunately they still hold the second Wildcard slot by 1.5 games. They've gotta play great down the stretch to keep it up as their work is cut out for them. Young hotshot Jazz Chisholm is playing incredible at second, with a 154 wRC+ in 84 games. Former top prospect Sixto Sanchez has a sub-3.00 ERA in 94 innings with the big club. Even if they fall short of the postseason this season, their future is looking incredibly bright.

--September 29, 2021 A Minor Champion

A few days ago, Benny discovered a feeling that he never wanted to forget. During a red-hot postseason run, the Muckdogs went undefeated, winning the New York-Penn League! Led by Maybird and a dominant pitching staff, Batavia was able to steamroll through their competition. Benny played a major role in the clinching game, hitting a double and driving in two runs in a one-run victory. He concluded his low-A campaign with a slash line of .323/.409/.609 with 9 homers and 2 (!!!) errors in 33 games. Not only did he play up to expectations, but he firmly grasped the top spot on every top prospect list in America. There was no flaw in Benny’s game, and he proved that the low levels of Amateur Ball were just a pitstop for a long, eventful journey. At 17 years old, the Marlins have control of the most talented prospect since Mike Trout.

As for the big league club, the Marlins miraculously clinched the second Wild-Card spot on the last day of the season! Despite a shaky September, Miami won their last 5 games to tie the Cubs for the second spot in the Wildcard race with an 83-79 record. Miami was able to edge Chicago 5-4 in 10 innings in order to clinch their first postseason berth in 18 years! Unfortunately, they were not able to get past the Rockies in the Wildcard game - blowing an 11-8 lead in the bottom of the 9th in the hitter’s haven of Coors Field.

Despite the gut-wrenching loss in the postseason, one thing was for sure: Miami was no longer the laughstock of Major League Baseball. The foundation for a special team has been set for when Benny is ready to bust through the proverbial door.

[Francoeurstein]

--Off-Season Report

Benny’s first off-season was a good one. He was able to spend time in Iowa catching up on lost time with his friends and family. As if he needed it, Benny felt more motivated than ever to work on his craft. The feeling of winning a championship was euphoric and he pictured himself winning a ring in Miami which drove him to incredible heights. He spent a lot of the colder winter months in South Florida working out with fellow top prospect Asa Lacy, an intimidating left-handed pitcher with a fire that burned just as brightly as Benny’s. They pushed each other through rigorous workouts and developed a good relationship. By the New Year, with his 18th birthday looming, Benny had already developed 10 pounds of muscle while maintaining his mobility and athleticism. He’s impossibly young, but he believes that he’s not far from the big league stage.

Major Award Winners:
NL MVP: Freddie Freeman (ATL) .338/.411/.639, 43 HR, 8.0 WAR
AL MVP: Mike Trout (LAA) .302/.458/.623, 50 HR, 10.2 WAR
NL CYA: Mike Soroka (ATL) 16-7, 2.85 ERA, 159 ERA+ in 198.2 IP
AL CYA: Matt Manning (DET) 14-5, 2.62 ERA, 193 ERA+, 10.9 k/9 in 178.2 IP
NL ROY: Nolan Gorman (STL) .235/.316/.524, 41 HR, 3.0 WAR
AL ROY: Gabriel Cancel (KCR) .300/.378/.551, 31 HR, 14 SB, 3.7 WAR

WS Champs: Boston Red Sox win series 4-3 over Atlanta

As for Miami, it was a rather uneventful off-season. The front office decided to lay low instead of supplementing a young core coming off a surprising playoff berth. The only significant moves were signing veteran catcher to a cheap two-year deal and extending starter Caleb Smith for 3 years and $30m. With a talented farm system, Miami opted to save money so that the team can pay their younger talent when the time comes. Speaking of farm systems, let’s check out Baseball America’s 2022 Pre-Season Prospect Report.

Baseball America 2022 Pre-Season Prospect Rankings.
--Although their farm system isn’t particularly deep, Miami boasts a system with arguably the best star talent in the major leagues. Let’s take a look at their prospects that have cracked our top 200.
**Parentheses note league-wide ranking

SS Benny Maybird (1): The most complete prospect since Mike Trout over a decade ago. Scouts rave about a hit tool, which is graded as an 80 in some circles and he’s likely a 70 for raw power. This is rare territory for any prospect, not to mention that his game is complete. His smooth actions, cannon for an arm, and baseball acumen allow Maybird to play shortstop at a high level. He is quick out of the box and has fantastic baserunning instincts. He is noted for his elite makeup and plays the game with an unbridled enthusiasm. We are not exaggerating when we say he could have held his own in the majors last season as a 17-year old. He still has some development before he cracks the major leagues, but it would not surprise us if he earns a call-up as an 18-year towards the end of this season. ETA: 2023

LHP Asa Lacy (20): Picked 3rd overall in 2020, Lacy is a tall lefty with a deceptive delivery. He sits 92-96 with his high-spin fastball and offers two off-speed pitches that grade as plus to plus-plus. He has solid control, but tends to leave the ball over the zone too much which can allow him to get hit hard. He’s got very impressive mechanics for an almost 23-year old and has the presence of a bulldog on the mound. He’s got the ceiling of a durable #2 starter. ETA: 2023

LF/RF J.J. Bleday (44): In a 23 at-bat sample in the majors last year, Bleday showed that he’s got nothing left to prove for the minors. However, he will start the season in AAA to ensure regular at-bats. Bleday has a strong feel for hitting with a violent left-handed stroke. Although he may strike out a good bit, his combination of above-average contact, power, and plate discipline should mask that flaw. He’s a decent runner with a cannon for an arm in the corner outfield. If he’s able to make enough contact, he will settle in as a well-rounded hitter capable of hitting int he middle of a strong lineup. ETA: mid-2022

RHP Wyatt Olds (121): Last years 3rd-round pick out of Oklahoma University, Olds is a 22-year old with a good feel for pitching. He sits in the low 90’s with his fastball, but can bump it up to 96 to get out of jams. He relies a deep, 5-pitch arsenal where his diving circle-change profiles as his best offering. His awkward delivery raises injury concerns, but he has the upside of a #4 starter. ETA: 2024

SS/CF Nasim Nunez (185): A supreme athlete with blinding speed and solid instincts. Nunez plays close to elite defense at short and is capable of tracking balls down in center. The switch-hitter has a decent feel for contact, but will likely never develop anything more than 10-home run power. He’s extremely raw, but could be a superstar even if he develops an average bat. ETA: mid-2023

[Francoeurstein]

March 27, 2002: Opening Day!;
--Benny was not invited to major league camp for Spring Training. He was not shocked nor was he disappointed. He realized he was still young and had some work to do to be considered for the major league roster. Asa Lacy was not invited to major league camp either and he did not take the news quite as well. Asa spent most of minor league camp sulking and being angry at the organization for not giving him a shot. Despite this, his relationship with Benny remained strong and they pushed each other through minor league camp. At the conclusion of camp, the Marlins assigned Benny to class-A Clinton to begin the season.

As for the big league club, the expectations are pretty reasonable. After a quiet off-season, the experts predicted Miami to finish in 3rd this season at 79-83. The team has a deadly young pitching staff, but could still use him on the offensive side of the ball. They seem like the type of team that is one superstar away from being perpetually relevant.

May 9, 2022
--Benny is about a month into his first full-season campaign and for the first time in his life, he looks like a human. He’s “struggling” with a slash line of .273/.371/.355 with no home runs through his first 30 games. Although he has yet to find his power stroke, scouts are raving about his defensive prowess and baserunning. He’s showing incredible range at short while stealing 13 bases in 15 attempts. Benny, with his unbridled confidence, is not worried about his power stroke and is satisfied with how the other aspects of his game have come along.

Miami sits at 22-21, three games behind Atlanta for the division lead.

May 16, 2022
--While rounding second base trying to leg out a triple, Benny felt a “pop” in his left hamstring. He made it to third but was immediately removed from the game. The training staff determined that it was a grade-1 hamstring strain and should keep him out of action for a week or two. This is good news considering the stubborn nature of lower extremity injuries, but Miami will understandably proceed with caution with their young phenom.

[Francoeurstein]

Draft Day ‘22
--After missing 12 games with injury, Benny was slowly integrated back into the Lumberking’s lineup. It took him a few games to get going, but he seems to finally be hitting his stride. Yesterday, he homered for the first time this season. There are whispers of him getting a promotion to high-A soon to get in a more comfortable hitting environment.

The big league club has been playing well as of late, sitting on top of the Wildcard race with a 36-28 record. They are 5.5 games behind Atlanta in the Eastern Division. With their first round pick, they selected lanky right-handed pitcher Antoine Harris out of New Orleans University. He’s got a mid-90’s fastball and a knee-buckling curveball. He could develop into another key cog in the Marlins young pitching factory.

July 11, 2022
--Things are looking bright for the Marlins organization. A few weeks ago, Benny caught fire and was promoted to high-A Jupiter. In 23 games with Jupiter he has slashed .303/.327/.525 with 6 homers as the youngest player in the entire league. He was also awarded to opportunity to play in the Futures game, going 0-for-2. However, his batting practice display left some scouts slackjawed - as they were in awe of the 18-year olds feel for hitting. The urban myths are starting to catch up to Benny and there’s likely a promotion to double-A soon.

In the big leagues, the red-hot Marlins are 55-41 good for 1st place in the East! Miami looks to be active at the trade deadline in order to sustain their winning ways.

Trade Deadline 2022
--Benny is on fire! After posting a .913 OPS in high-A, Benny received a swift promotion to double-A Jacksonville. He’s finally hit his stride and there’s not much holding him back from reaching the majors as a teenager.

The big league club made a slew of moves to improve their roster with hopes of reaching the postseason. They traded for reliever Jairo Diaz from Colorado, starter Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland, catcher Willians Astudillo from San Francisco, and shortstop Jose Iglesias from Arizona. Fortunately, Iglesias is set to be a free-agent at the end of the season, giving Benny a clear path to take hold of the starting shortstop job at age 19. As of today, the Marlins are tied for 1st place with Atlanta for the division lead. It should be a fun home stretch heading into the postseason.

[Francoeurstein]

August 30, 2022
**Voicemail: “Good afternoon Benny, this is GM Josh Alley. I’m calling you to let you know that you have been added to the 40-man roster. We’ve been scuffling lately and we’re in danger of losing our hold on a playoff spot. We may call on you in September to help us out, so be ready”

Benny was shocked hearing this news. Although it wasn’t certain, the idea of him being a major leaguer at age 18 was beyond anything he could fathom. He was overwhelmed by the idea of it, but he was prepared. In 30 games in Jacksonville, he’s slashed .307/.360/.544. Ever since his hamstring injury, he’s been playing like a kid with his hair on fire. The Marlins can certainly use him, as they’ve slumped to a 71-66 record while being ravaged by injuries. They are now only one game ahead of the Cubs in the second Wildcard spot. They may need a little bit of a boost - and Benny is ready to answer the bell.

September 1, 2022 MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT
--When the rosters expanded, Benny was given the call of duty. He was finally called up to the big leagues with expectations higher than you could possibly imagine.
GM Josh Alley “Benny, we’re in the playoff hunt and we need a sparkplug in our lineup. We weren’t planning on calling you up this early, but our offense is struggling and we could use all the help that we need. We have faith that you’re ready to contribute to a major league playoff team”

Benny touched down in Milwaukee at 3:00 AM on September 1st. The Marlins are set to finish the 3-game set against the Brewers at 1:15 that afternoon - and Benny, overwhelmed with excitement, knew there wasn’t a chance he would be getting any sleep. He reported to Miller Park around 9:30 AM and he was greeted by manager Buck Showalter and veteran star Brian Anderson. “So this is the golden boy from Iowa?” quipped Showalter “We’re happy to have you here. I want you to pick Brian’s brain and follow him around like a sheep dog. He’s a consummate professional and I think he will be a wonderful example for you”. Benny took Showalter’s advice and spent most of the morning picking Brian Anderson’s brain. They talked about nerves, family, life, and most importantly baseball. Brian made clear to Benny how much he loved playing in Miami “When I first started here, we were the laughingstock of baseball. But this organization believed in me, and I truly believe we’re building something special. No pressure, but you have the ability to change baseball in South Florida for several generations”. Brian was very impressed with Benny’s makeup and demeanor. He couldn’t believe that he was only 18, carrying himself like a major league veteran.

Fortunately, Benny was given the news about his call-up in enough time to alert his family. Without hesitating, his parents hopped in their Tahoe and made the 6 hour drive to downtown Milwaukee to watch their son finally realize his dreams. He was relieved to find out his dear friend Asa Lacy was called up from double-A to contribute from Miami’s pen. He didn’t want to do this alone.

[Francoeurstein]

During batting practice, he’s approached by a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. “Hey kid, I’ve heard a lot about you. From what I’ve heard you have a good head on your shoulders, but no matter what, grind hard and stay humble. The city of Miami needs someone like you… Trust me I know better than anyone else”. The voice of those words was superstar Christian Yelich, a guy whose swing Benny tried to mimic as a teenager. He couldn’t believe himself. He did his best to stay grounded throughout the entire day, but hearing a former MVP talk him up felt like a dream. He was incredibly nervous, but he knew to do what he does best: go out and play.

Walking back to the dugout prior to first pitch, Benny takes a glance at the lineup card. He’s penciled in at shortstop batting leadoff. He couldn’t believe himself - he knew he was going to start, but he had no idea he was going to bat at the top of the lineup. He didn’t have much time to process his overwhelming nerves, the first pitch of the game was going to be one trying to get him out.

“Play Ball” cries out crew chief Joe West as Benny walks towards the box. It was a sparse crowd in Milwaukee that day, with roughly 21,000 fans in the stands. Surprisingly there was a sea of Maybird jerseys littered throughout the stands, but Benny didn’t notice. He was locked in - it was time to go to work. On the mound was journeyman Josh Green who was having a tough season for a downtrodden Milwaukee team who sat at 45-94 on the season.

“Green winds up and the pitch… Low and away for ball one.” Benny took a borderline pitch for a ball in the first of many pitches he would see as a major leaguer. He started to settle in a little bit, he was ready to attack a pitch in his zone. The next pitch was a fastball over the inner half and Benny crushes it right to the shortstop Brice Turang who puts him away. His first at-bat was finally off his back.

Benny would not come back to the plate until the 4th inning. There were no outs and a runner on second base. He worked the count from Josh Green fouling off 3 pitches with two strikes. Finally on a 2-2 pitch, he hits a lazy flyball to centerfield. Easy out. He goes to 0 for 2 on the day.

In the bottom of the 5th, with Miami leading 2-0, there was one out and Milwaukee was threatening. There were runners on first and second and dangerous hitter Mitch Haniger was at the plate. Pitcher Trevor Rogers leaves one over the heart of the plate and Haniger ropes a line drive over Benny’s head. “Haniger hits a rope towards left-center, Maybird leaps and… Makes the snowcone catch! Maybird hustles two second to record the force out for the double play. WOW, he can do it all!” The away crowd went crazy. It was Benny’s first display of his uncanny talent on the national scene.

At the top of the 6th, Benny comes back to the plate with no outs and nobody on. Stingy lefty Jose Quijada is pitching for the Brew Crew and gets Benny to roll over on the first pitch. 0 for 3.
By the top of the 7th, Quijada is still pitching well for Milwaukee. With two outs and nobody on, Benny steps up to the plate. Quijada fooled him last at-bat, but he was not going to let that happen again. He kept his bat on his shoulder for the first 4 pitches, bringing the count to 3-1. He knew Quijada was beginning to run out of gas and he looked for a fastball in the middle of the plate. What happened next will go down in the history books:
“Quijada wind-ups and delivers. SWING AND A DRIVE HOOKING TOWARDS THE RIGHTFIELD FOUL POLE. DID HE DO IT?! HE DID IT! GONEEEE!!!! An opposite field solo homer for the young phenom Maybird, and with that he becomes the seventh 18 year old in baseball history to leave the yard! Wow!”

Benny did not round the bases, his legs were moving for him. He did what he’s done so many times in his life, but this time it really, really mattered. Rounding second he notices his parents in the stands, bawling. He smirks at them as he rounded third. Shortly after, the away crowd demanded a standing ovation. He gave them just what he wanted. He had arrived.

Benny would hit a single in the 9th inning to finish the day 2-for-5. Miami defeated Milwaukee 5-1, pushing their record to 73-67, 2.5 games over Chicago for the second Wildcard spot. He knew this was going to be a fun ride.

[Francoeurstein]

September 19, 2022
--Benny and the Marlins have found themselves mired in an up-and-down September trying to stay afloat for the Wildcard race. As of today the standings for the second spot in the Wildcard look like this:

Arizona 80-76
Miami 79-76
Colorado 79-77
Pittsburgh 79-77

The next four games are at home against the red-hot Braves, who have clinched the East. The final three games will be played in Washington D.C. The Marlin’s work is cut out for them.

As for Benny, he finds himself in a slump, going 2 for his last 17. He’s hitting .282 with 3 home runs in 16 games, but has been a little too aggressive, only walking once. “I’ve always been an aggressive hitter” says Benny “I could do a better job of waiting on my pitch and doing damage on it though. This Wildcard race has been fun and I’m not ready for it to end. We need to take care of Atlanta at home, but most importantly, just take it one day at a time” Miami’s PR team has done a good job with Benny, he’s become a cliche machine.

September 24, 2022
--After dropping three out of four to Atlanta, including a no-hitter by Mike Soroka, the Marlins have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. The addition of the young sparkplug was not enough to power the Marlins to a postseason appearance. The team went on a 19-34 run since the end of July to blow a promising post-season run.

September 26, 2022
--Despite the disappointing finish, the Marlins ended the season on a high note, winning their last two games by a combined score of 15-0. Although there will be no postseason in Miami, the tides are beginning to turn for the franchise. This season saw an 18% increase in attendance and a 39% increase in revenue despite no playoff share. Benny ended up hitting .275/.292/.431 with four homers in 23 games played. He also had seven steals in nine attempts with a +3.5 zone rating at shortstop. Considering he was 18 years old, his 0.8 WAR was an incredible display of his promise. Going into the off-season, his main focus will be on improving his strength and plate discipline. He believes he can take the next step and win the Rookie of the Year Award with more controlled aggression.

[Francoeurstein]

Team Stats

[backupbatboy]

Loving this so far! Doing a great job keep it up

[Francoeurstein]

Appreciate the feedback!

[Francoeurstein]

2022-2023 Off-Season

Major Award Winners:
NL MVP: Gavin Lux (LAD) .331/.427/.665, 47 HR, 9.5 WAR
AL MVP: Mike Trout (LAA) .325/.465/.692, 55 HR, 11.7 WAR (!!!)
NL CYA: Noah Syndergaard (STL): 13-9, 2.64 ERA, 158 ERA+ in 194.2 IP
AL CYA: Forrest Whitley (HOU): 20-3, 2.68 ERA, 168 ERA+ in 184.2 IP
NL ROY: Tyler Nevin (COL): .292/.365/.518, 27 HR, 38 2B, 3.7 WAR
AL ROY: Edgar Arredondo (BOS): 12-9, 3.59 ERA, 127 ERA+ in 215.2 IP

Transaction Log:
-SS Jose Iglesias becomes FA
-SP Carlos Carrasco becomes FA
-C Salvador Perez becomes FA
-RP Duane Underwood signs as minor league FA
-2B Bryson Brigman goes to TEX in Rule 5 Draft
-Trade RP Drew Steckenrider and prospect SP Pablo Reyes to the Dodgers for CF Jeren Kendall
-2B Rougned Odor signs as minor league FA


--’Twas another quiet off-season for Miami, whose young stars are expected to receive a massive payday next year. The team has a young, loaded pitching staff and a solid group of position players. The addition of talented rookie Jeren Kendall will add to what already seems like a logjam of young outfielders on Miami’s roster.

For Benny, it was an off-season with a different mindset. He’s a major leaguer now, and he plans on keeping it that way for many years to come. His brief debut humbled him, but it also gave him confidence that he wasn’t overmatched by big-league pitching. His primary focus is to continue to develop his approach at the plate so he can be more of a table-setter at the top of the lineup. He’d be lying if he told you he didn’t want to win the Rookie of the Year Award in 2023. He loves a challenge - he loves competition, but above all else, he wants to help this team get one step closer towards winning a ring.

[Francoeurstein]

2023 Season Preview:

--Upon the conclusion of Spring Training, Benny was approached by GM Josh Alley. “Benny, I want to propose to you something that is unprecedented”. He, along with Benny and his agent, spent the next few hours discussing contract negotiations. The meeting resulting in Benny signing the largest rookie contract in baseball history: 9 years for $135 million guaranteed, with a player option for $34 million attached to it. As soon as he signed the dotted line, he felt immediate relief - he was just a teenager from Iowa with enough wealth to span several generations. It was time to narrow his focus on the playing field. His comments on the signing: “Mr. Alley pitched his plan to me and gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I love being here in South Florida and I want to be here for a while and help build something special. This is the franchise that believed and me and gave me my opportunity, so I owe it to them, my teammates, and the people of Miami to give my best. I’m excited for this wild ride”

The experts predicted Miami to go 95-67 this year, finishing second in the division behind Atlanta

Lineup Overview:
C Willians Astudillo (31): A fan-favorite and brilliant contact hitter coming off of a 19 strikeout campaign in 272 plate appearances. Easygoing veteran who should hit for average and call a good game behind the plate.
1B Lewin Diaz (26): Durable lefty bat that can mash and play solid defense at first. He’s coming off of a breakout 28 homer, 124 OPS+ campaign.
2B/LF Isan Diaz (26): All this guy does is hit. He is a fringy fielder but has good defensive versatility. He has an OPS of over .850 the past two seasons in partial playing time. Good bet to hit for average and power.
2B/3B Jazz Chisholm (25): Young dynamic infielder with a solid speed/power combo. Struggles to make contact, but can do serious damage when he’s locked in. In a current timeshare with Isan at 2B.
3B Brian Anderson (29): Longest tenured Marlin and well-respected veteran. Anderson does everything well and put it all together with a 5.7 WAR campaign in 2022. Right handed bat that should hit .285 with 20+ homers while playing solid defense at the hot corner.
SS Benny Maybird (19): It’s like A-Rod all over again. Benny does everything exceptionally on the baseball field. Although he only posted a 97 OPS+ last year, he only struck out in 14.2% of his plate appearances, which is mind-numbing given his age. His batting eye is a work in progress, but he should surpass Mike Trout as the best player in the game in a few years.
LF/RF J.J. Bleday (25): Former high draft pick who showed promise last year as a rookie in 100 games. He has a long swing which could lead to contact issues, but he’s got plus raw power and plays a solid corner outfield with a cannon for an arm. Could potentially be a 35+ homer guy.
LF/CF Adam Haseley (26): The most productive young outfield out of the bunch, Haseley has been an All-Star caliber outfielder since being taken in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft. He’s a 5-tool outfielder although none of his tools really stand out. He’s got 8.7 WAR in his two seasons in Miami.
CF Jeren Kendall (27): Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Kendall is a dynamic young outfielder with contact issues. He may never be a good hitter in the majors, but he has decent pop and a good batting eye. He’s an elite centerfielder with plus-plus speed. Should be a solid contributor as a platoon outfielder.
RF Lewis Brinson (28): Sweet Lew was labeled a bust early in his career, but has put together a solid resume the past two seasons. He’s got a rocket arm and plays a solid rightfield and has great natural power. He absolutely mashes lefties and is a good complementary piece to this lineup.
RF/CF Jesus Sanchez (25): Although he hasn’t put it together yet (92 OPS+ in 164 career games) scouts rave about his talent. He’s got a visually appealing swing and breathtaking bat speed, capable of generating a .300+ batting average with some pop. Despite below-average speed, he makes great reads in the outfield and is capable of playing an adequate centerfield.

Bench:
C Pedro Severino (29) Run-of-the-mill journey backup catcher
IF/LF Tyler Wade (28) Speedy left-handed stick that can provide solid defensive versatility


Rotation Overview
1. RHP Sixto Sanchez (24): Sixto has already established himself as a young ace, winning an ERA title last year as a 23-year old. He throws an upper 90’s sinking fastball with an above average curveball and change. He’s got pinpoint control but is somewhat prone to the long ball.
2. LHP Caleb Smith (31): Seldom healthy, Smith finally qualified for the ERA title last year with a dominant campaign. He had a 3.21 ERA with more than a strikeout an inning. He sits in the 92-94 region with his fastball and is capable of running it up to 97. His changeup absolutely falls off the table and is his go-to for whiffs. Sometimes he gets a little walk-happy but is a borderline ace when he puts it all together.
3. RHP Sandy Alcantara (27): He’s been inconsistent during his tenure in Miami, struggling last year with an ERA in the high-4.00’s. He’s must-see TV when he puts it all together though, with arguably the best stuff in the organization. His deep repertoire is headlined by his upper-90’s fastball that can hit triple digits and an upper-80’s slider with wicked movement. He’s a bit of a headcase, but he’s got ace upside.
4. LHP Braxton Garrett (25): Deceptive lefty with nasty stuff. His low-90’s fastball plays up due to spin rate and his curve/change combo is the best in the organization.He struggles to throw strikes consistently which allows him to be more effective in a 5-6 inning role.
5. LHP Trevor Rogers (25): Finally broke out last year after serving as a swingman over the years. He’s got a solid 4-pitch repertoire and a fastball that he can run up to 95 that plays up in the zone. He doesn’t have the durability to pitch more than 170 innings, but he can provide good value in bulk.
6. RHP Edward Cabrera (24): Struggled last year but oozes with talent. He will likely serve as a swingman this year with mid-90’s heat that plays up in relief outings. His slider, nicknamed “El Abusador”, is absolutely frightening and racks up a ton of whiffs.


Bullpen
CL: RHP Jordan Holloway (26):
SU RHP Jairo “Jumbo” Diaz (31)
MR LHP Matt Krook (28)
MR RHP Ryne Stanek (31)
MR RHP Rafael Montero (32)
LR RHP Nabil Crismatt (28)

As a unit, these guys are all pretty interchangeable. Each of them throws hard, has high upside, and has not put it together fully at the major league level. Like most bullpens, this is a volatile group, but this one seems more volatile than normal. This bullpen has the potential to be an Achilles Heel for a contending team, and will likely need several upgrades before the Trade Deadline.

Baseball America’s 2023 Farm System Overview:
--Fortunately the team is loaded with young talent, because after the top prospect in baseball the cupboard is rather bare. The team only boasts 3 top 200 prospects and only two that look like potential impact players.

SS Benny Maybird (1): Surprisingly, Maybird was called upon in September to help Miami during their postseason run. Unfortunately they fell short, but Maybird showed that he belonged in the major leagues as an 18-year old. He can do it all in the box and his glove was somehow even better than advertised. Our scouts do not have a basis of comparison for him. Some have said he’s A-Rod with Francisco Lindor’s glove. Others have said he’s Mickey Mantle without alcohol. Either way, strap in and enjoy the ride, because it’s going to be a wild one.

LHP Asa Lacy (50): In a brief major league sample, Lacy looked dominant, fanning 16 batters in 11.2 innings. His stuff did take a step back however, as his fastball sat 92-95 early in outings before falling to 90-93 in the later innings. If he’s able to hold his durability late into games, then he will reach his ceiling as a #2 starter. Otherwise he’s a back of the rotation arm or dominant multi-inning reliever. He’s starting in AAA but look for him to get a mid-season look.

LHP Lucas Gordon (166): Former 7th rounder out of an LA-Area high school back in 2020, the Marlins are pleased with his development. He sits 91-95 and excels with pitching at the top of the zone. His 12-to-6 curveball is a plus pitch, but his changeup is a work in progress. The development of his change will determine whether he is a mid-rotation starter or a relief arm.

[Francoeurstein]

April 12, 2023

Scenario: Bottom of the 8th inning. 2 outs and bases loaded. Miami is down 8-5 and Washington closer Wander Suero trots to the mound to try and get a 4 out save. Up next is Maybird, the struggling teenaged rookie.

“The count is 1-2 to Maybird. Suero leans in. The pitch… Swing and a drive! Robson drifts back in left, the ball keeps carrying and it’s… Gone!!! Benjamin Thomas Maybird, the 19-year old phenom has done it! A grand slam to give Miami the lead!”

Miami finishes the game in the 9th and secures the 9-8 victory on the strength of Benny’s first home run of the season. He is hitting .182 on the season through 12 games, and the game-winning shot did wonders for his morale. Miami improves to 7-4 with the victory.

Benny: “I got a good pitch to hit from Suero and I put my best swing on it. I didn’t think it was gone at first, but I was elated when I saw it clear the left-field fence. Great team win.”

May 1, 2023
--Unfortunately for Benny, the dramatic slam did not turn around his fortunes as he continues to struggle at the plate. Through 27 games, he’s hitting .241/.270/.336 with just 2 homers. He’s frustrated. He’s never really struggled like this before. Brian Anderson has been out for the past few weeks with a broken hand, so Benny has been taking this time to pick his brain. Brian tells him about all of the slumps he went through, and how they all eventually faded. The most important thing was for him to trust the process of what has gotten him there. Don’t press.

The biggest thing for Benny right now is just pure bad luck. His BABIP is .273 and he’s stung quite a few balls that have been caught. He’s been around enough baseball to know that his slump won’t last forever. Besides, he’s playing insane defense at the moment, appearing on highlight reels almost every night.

Benny’s not the only one struggling. The Marlins sit at 15-12 in second place, but are currently being carried by their pitching staff. Their starters have a collective 2.90 ERA on the season, but the offense is ranked 13th in the National League in runs scored. The absence of Brian Anderson hurts, but Lewin Diaz, Isan Diaz, and Jeren Kendall are all struggling mightily.

[Francoeurstein]

May 15, 2023
--Ladies and gentlemen, the young phenom is on fire! After taking Brian’s advice to heart, Benny started to catch fire at the plate. After going 2 for 4 yesterday, he extended his hitting streak to 15 games! He’s hitting .415 in those 15 games and has been an absolute sparkplug at the top of the lineup. Although his power hasn’t showed up yet, Benny has improved to .296 on the season, reminding everyone of who he is. Anderson returned 5 games ago and has been on a tear as well. Those two, carrying the offense, have led Miami to a 23-16 record. They currently hold the top spot in the Wildcard race.


Draft Day 2023
--Unfortunately, Benny’s hitting streak ended at 15 games. On the other hand, he continues to produce, showing much improved plate discipline over the course of the season. In his past 30 games, he’s walked 16 times compared to 22 strikeouts - he only had 3 walks in all of April! About a third through the season he’s hitting .274/.333/.398 with 8 bombs and 2.3 WAR. Not too shabby for a teenager, but he knows he’s capable of so much more. The offense has really stepped up with Brinson (121 OPS+), Haseley (.398 OBP), and Chisholm (14 bombs) all hitting well as of late. Benny has also slid down to the #3 hole in the order with bopper Lewin Diaz sitting right behind him. The pitching staff continues to dominate with Sixto Sanchez, Caleb Smith, and Sandy Alcantara all having ERA’s below 3.00. The bullpen, led by Matt Krook and Edward Cabrera, has also been solid. The Marlins currently sit at 31-26 in a three-way tie for the second Wildcard spot. This season looks to be a dogfight just like last year. It should be fun.

Marlins Draft Pick:
With the 17th overall pick, the Marlins select Steve Sparano out of high school in Van, West Virginia. Despite his small town background, Sparano has big stuff. He sat comfortably in the mid-90’s in high school and could run it up to 99. His curve and changeup are two solid secondary offerings. He’s got high upside but has durability concerns with his small frame.

[Francoeurstein]

All-Star Break:
--It’s July 16th and the Marlins sit at 51-45. They are now in third place in the East behind New York and Atlanta and 4.5 games back for the second Wildcard spot. While they are very much in the hunt, the next two weeks will be crucial for deciding whether or not they should buy or sell at the deadline. In a National League loaded with shortstop talent, Benny fell short in the All-Star voting, but not by much. The lone All-Star Representative for Miami was Trevor Rogers, who is 11-2 with a 2.53 ERA. Benny currently leads all National League rookies with 3.4 WAR although Drew Mendoza of Washington has a sexier stat line with 19 home runs and an All-Star Appearance. Let’s take a look at the mid-season stats for the team

[Francoeurstein]

August 1, 2023
--Well, the Trade Deadline was a quiet one for Miami, who find themselves stuck in playoff limbo. Currently they find themselves on the outside looking in, 7.5 games behind a Wildcard spot. It’s going to take a lot of guts to make a run for postseason contention.

September 1, 2023
--A few weeks ago, both Sixto Sanchez and Trevor Rogers sustained season-ending injuries, putting a fork in the season. Sanchez is set to undergo Tommy John Surgery and may miss up to the first half of next season. The Marlins slumped in August, finishing the month with a 68-67 record, a dozen games out of the postseason hunt. This season may feel like a disappointment but there’s a lot of positives - for one, the Marlins have been unlucky. Their Pythagorean Record suggests they should be 73-62. Second of all, Benny Maybird has really started to come into his own. He nows boasts a .272/.337/.433 line with 18 home runs, 22 steals, and 5.5 WAR. He has emerged as a favorite to win both the NL Rookie of the Year and the Gold Glove Award for shortstop. If he can finish the last month of the season on a high note, he can put together an age-19 season for the ages.

October 1, 2023
--Injuries and lackluster performance led the once-promising season into a disappointment. Despite all this, Benny turned in arguably the greatest season for a 19-year in baseball history. Finishing strong with a .275/.339/.440 line with 22 home runs, 24 steals, and 6.6 WAR, Benny established himself among the top Shortstops in the game. He gave fans a reason to show up to the park, as they averaged 28,000 fans a game - the most in franchise history. The hope is he continues to develop and helps turn the Marlins into a perennial contender.

[Francoeurstein]

2023-2024 Off-Season

Major Award Winners:
NL MVP: Gavin Lux (LAD) .350/.433/.673, 41 HR, 41 SB, 9.2 WAR
AL MVP: Gleyber Torres (NYY): .327/.390/.667, 61 HR (!!!), 8.0 WAR
NL CYA: Jack Flaherty (STL): 16-6, 3.06 ERA, 265 K in 202.2 IP
AL CYA: Jacob deGrom (CLE): 17-6, 3.07 ERA, 143 ERA+ in 225.2 IP
NL ROY: Benny Maybird (MIA)
AL ROY: Bruce Steel (MIN): .232/.345/.522, 42 HR, 4.2 WAR

Marlins Transactions:
-RHP Sandy Alcantara signs a 4 year/$56m extension
-2B Jazz Chisholm signs a 5 year/$29m extension
-Traded OF J.J. Bleday to Toronto for C Alejandro Kirk
-Manager Buck Showalter retires, hire rookie manager Mark Trumbo
-Sign Bench Coach A.J. Hinch
-Sign Hitting Coach Eric Almonte
-Trade 2B Isan Diaz to Seattle for prospect RHP Mike Vasil
-Trade OF Lewis Brinson and RHP Steve Sparano to Colorado for RHP German Marquez
-Trade OF Monte Harrison and prospect RHP Breidy Encarnacion to Cincinnati for IF Jonathan India and RHP Joel Kuhnel

--There’s a lot to unpack here, but for once Miami had a busy off-season. Knowing they had a logjam of outfielders, they swung a few trades to upgrade other areas of the team. One of the additions was Alejandro Kirk, a young catcher who was blocked in Toronto but will start for us and has the potential to be a solid bat. We also acquired one-year rental ace German Marquez from the Rockies who is coming off a 4.3 WAR season. He will step in as our ace and should see a significant increase in his production going from Coors Field to Marlins Park. We also acquired Jonathan India, a 27-year old utility man that mashes lefties. He should be a solid addition that will take away at-bats from Jazz Chisholm and Lewin Diaz against lefties. Finally, we acquired Joel Kuhnel in the same trade who struggled last year, but has good enough stuff to excel in a late-inning role.

We made some major additions to the coaching staff as well. Mark Trumbo is a recently-retired rookie manager who we think can help develop some of our younger players. A.J. Hinch also landed his first coaching gig since his controversial exit from Houston. We also signed Eric Almonte, a rookie hitting coach who is known for helping hitters develop their hitting approach. We also moved in the walls at Marlins Park 5 feet, which should allow an increase in offense. Marlins Park has really suppressed offense the past few years, so we decided to make some renovations to bolster our offensive output. No, we did not bring the home run caricature back.

As for Benny, this off-season was certainly different. Not only did he win the Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove at SS, but his stardom reached new heights. He tried to maintain a low profile in South Florida but he was recognized and hounded everywhere he went. He spent most of his off-season training in Iowa and spending time with his family so he could at least maintain a little bit of privacy. He didn’t mind the fame though and he never turned down an opportunity to take a picture with a fan. He knew he was incredibly fortunate to be in the position he was in and made sure he didn’t take it for granted. He also started a charity in Miami under his name. He started an organization that raised money for disaster relief in the state of Florida, which had been hit hard by hurricanes in the past year. He pledged to donate 10% of his salary the next two years for the efforts.

Aware that the fences were being moved in, Benny started to add a bit more of an uppercut to his swing plane. He went on record saying that he wants to hit 40 home runs this year while keeping his strikeouts low.

[Francoeurstein]

2024 Season Preview
--After an eventful off-season, the Marlins were picked to win their division with a 90-72 record. It’s not going to be an easy task though, with the Braves predicted to go 89-73 and the Mets 87-75. Still, with a loaded young roster, the sky’s the limit for the Marlins.

Lineup Overview:
C Alejandro Kirk (25): Blocked in Toronto, Kirk was brought to Miami to finally seize an opportunity to be an everyday catcher. He’s okay defensively but brings a lot to the table offensively. He profiles as a well-rounded hitter that puts the ball in play with authority. A .270, 20 HR season is not out of the realm of possibility.
1B Lewin Diaz (27): Diaz struggled last year with an OBP of .299. Part of his issue was batted ball luck and he should post higher than a .240 batting average this season. He’s got good gap-to-gap power and is extremely durable.
2B Jazz Chisholm (26): Solid defender at 2B with above average power and speed. Coming off a 33 homer, 23 steal campaign. His hyper aggressive approach, swing and miss tendencies, and struggles against lefties prevent him from being a superstar. Still a valuable 4-ish WAR player.
3B Brian Anderson (30): Has lost a little bit of pop over the years, but was still a comfortably above average hitter with an OPS+ of 114. He’s not a star, but should provide a high OBP with reliable defense at the hot corner.
3B/1B/2B Jonathan India (27): Former top prospect who profiles more as a solid utilityman at this point in his career. He will swing and miss a lot, but is capable of hitting 25+ home runs and a healthy amount of walks. Much better against lefties and will steal at-bats from Diaz and Chisholm against southpaws.
SS Benny Maybird (20): Young phenom who got better last year as the season wore on. By far the best player on this team, don’t be surprised if he takes his game to another level by posting a 30/30 season with elite defense. We don’t know if he’s MVP-caliber yet, but he’s not far off.
LF/CF Adam Haseley (27): Struggled last year offensively, but he’s a bounceback candidate. His BABIP of .287 last year was 0.21 points below his career average. He isn’t a major power threat, but he’s a good gap hitter with a high walk rate. He’ll provide plus value on the bases and in the field as well.
CF Jeren Kendall (28): The world keeps waiting for the uber-talented Kendall to break out, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Last year he had an abysmal 47 OPS+ in 81 games played. He provided a lot of value with his glove and legs, but struck out in almost a third of his plate appearances. He just needs to hit .220 to be an above average regular.
RF Jesus Sanchez (26): Sanchez broke through in ‘23 and looks to build off of a solid performance. He doesn’t have light-tower power, but is capable of high-level production. A .280 25+ HR season isn’t out of the question, and he needs to hit to cancel out his miniscule walk rates. Solid defender in right with a cannon for an arm.

Bench
C Willians Astudillo (32): He makes a ton of contact, even if it’s not of the highest quality. At this point in his career he’s best suited for a backup role.
IF Edmundo Sosa (28): Typical back up infielder that can play all of the positions on the dirt well. Right-handed batter with a below-average bat, although it’s not a total liability.
IF Jose Devers (24): Useful bench piece. Left-handed stick who will be the top pinch-hit option against righties. Can play a solid shortstop and is plus around the rest of an infield. 10 home run power at most, but has a solid approach at the plate and plus speed.
OF Kameron Misner (26): Solid corner outfield defenseman that can fake it in centerfield. Solid bat, capable of .250 with 25+ homers. Coming off of a 26 home run campaign in AAA.

Rotation
RHP German Marquez (29): Very reliable pitcher who has been a comfortably above-average starter each season of his career. Moving from Denver to Miami should do wonders for him. He sits in the upper 90’s with a dirty 5-pitch repertoire. Runs very low walk rates. Dark horse Cy Young Candidate.
RHP Sandy Alcantara (28): Sandy finally put it all together last year, winning the NL Era title. It’s hard to believe there’s more in the tank, but we believe there is. Ran a 7.7 k/9 last year despite electrifying stuff. We think that if he improves his secondaries he can become a true ace.
LHP Trevor Rogers (26): Another homegrown stud on this pitching staff. In his first full season as a starter, Rogers increased his k-rate and decreased his walk rate. We’re not sure if he’ll maintain his .269 BABIP from last year, but we forecast around 170 innings and an ERA in the mid 3’s.
LHP Asa Lacy (24): After a solid cameo in the bullpen last year, Lacy is going to get a look in the rotation until Sixto Sanchez returns. He’s got the best changeup in the organization and has been able to consistently throw strikes since he ironed out his mechanics. Has #3 starter upside.
LHP Braxton Garrett (26): When this guy is your #5, you know you’re in pretty good shape. His combo of a high-spin fastball with a kneebuckling curveball gives him the ability to make elite hitters look silly at the plate. He has trouble throwing strikes consistently but he’s a reliable innings eater in the back of the rotation.
RHP Sixto Sanchez (25): Sanchez was putting together another All-Star quality season until he suffered a mild UCL tear in August. Fortunately, he should be ready to go by the end of April. Besides having one of the best names in baseball, Sixto has dominant stuff and is a strike thrower. This could be the best rotation in the majors once he returns.

Bullpen
CL RHP Joel Kuhnel (29)
SU RHP Jordan Holloway (27)
SU RHP Rafael Montero (33)
MR LHP Matt Krook (29)
MR RHP Eduardo Jimenez (29)
MR RHP Edward Cabrera (25)
MR RHP Jorge Guzman (28)
LR RHP Nabil Crismatt (29)
LR LHP Caleb Smith (32)
Our rotation is so good that two of our guys that’ll act as swingmen, Smith and Cabrera, could probably start in any other rotation in the majors. Every single arm in the pen presents considerable upside. Jorge Guzman is likely the best reliever we have and will see the majority of the innings once he returns from radial nerve compression surgery at the end of April.


2023 Baseball America’s Farm Report
--The graduation of uber-prospect Benny Maybird and Asa Lacy has left Miami’s farm system empty. We have them ranked as the worst farm system in the major leagues, which isn’t a big deal if the major league product is good. If Miami isn’t able to put it together on the big league level, then the future for this organization could be in jeopardy.

Top Prospects
RHP Ben Wiegman (106): A 5th rounder back in 2020, Wiegman is more of a pitchability prospect. At age 22, he fills up the strike zone. He sits in the low 90’s with his heater and has a plus curveball with sharp down-breaking action. Safe prospect with #4 starter upside.

SS/CF Nasim Nunez (149): At this point, the 23 year old speedster is who he is. He will never be a home run hitter, but he puts the ball in play and runs like a deer. He plays plus defense at both short and center. Profiles as a solid utility guy.

RHP Ian Ritchie (190): At 20 years old, Ritchie is still very raw but he has considerable upside. He’s got a nice 6’3” frame and sits 92-97 with his fastball. His change up is filthy and very difficult to read out of his hand. He’s got a decent loopy curve that has a chance to be an above-average offering. His mechanics aren’t the sharpest and he has trouble with his command. If he puts it together, he can be a solid mid-rotation innings eater.

LHP Lucas Gordon (196): He was money last year in high-A, with a 114:24 K/BB ratio in 132.2 innings. He’s just 22 and has a great feel for pitching. Unfortunately his stuff is rather pedestrian which limits his upside. Likely a #5 starter/swing man type.