While the Miami Marlins maintain their playoff push, the organization is also building one of the deepest farms in the Major Leagues. The strategy was evident during the transfer deadline, when the club sacrificed Liam Hicks and Braxton Garrett, but received a significant collection of young talent in return.
The midseason update of each organization’s Top 30 prospects reflects the success of that policy. Miami has 11 players who arrived through trades, second only to the Nationals’ 12.
The Marlins had already demonstrated their ability to transform established players into pieces for the future. In May 2024 they received left-hander Robby Snelling and outfielder Dillon Head from San Diego for Luis Arráez. Six months later they added shortstop Starlyn Caba from Philadelphia in exchange for Jesús Luzardo.
Last offseason was also productive. Miami acquired outfielder Owen Caissie and shortstop Cristian Hernández from the Cubs for Edward Cabrera, while getting Dillon Lewis, Juan Matheus and Brendan Jones from the Yankees in the trade for Ryan Weathers.
This year’s deadline again demonstrated that the Marlins are willing to sacrifice pieces of the present to strengthen the future. Hicks was sent to Tampa Bay in exchange for infielder Brayden Taylor, right-hander Jacob Kisting and shortstop Adrian Santana. Garrett, meanwhile, ended up with the Cubs and Miami received first baseman/outfielder Jonathon Long.
Taylor is a versatile player who has made adjustments to his hitting mechanics and regained some of the level he showed when he was considered a top 100 prospect. Kisting offers an interesting combination off the mound: he posted a 1.58 ERA and an outstanding difference between strikeouts and walks. Although his speed is not extraordinary, he has two changes of speed that are especially effective against left-handers.
Santana brings athleticism and defense from shortstop. The switch-hitter, drafted in 2023, still needs to develop more power, but his speed makes him a threat on the bases.
Long was the centerpiece of the Garrett trade. The right-handed hitter has power and can serve as a first baseman and outfielder. Although his contact and power production has decreased this year, he already has little to prove in the Minor Leagues.
Added to this group is a draft class that raised the organization’s ceiling even further. Miami selected Jacob Lombard with number 14, a shortstop considered one of the great talents of the generation. Ethan Kleinschmit, Ryan Peterson and Cam Kozeal also arrived.
With Thomas White, Robby Snelling, Aiva Arquette, Jacob Lombard and Karson Milbrandt leading the system, the Marlins combine talent acquired through trades with young draft picks. While the team fights for the present, its Minor League system offers reason to think the future can also be promising.
