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MIAMI -- The Minor League season is winding down after another eventful year for the Marlins’ system. Two affiliates will be competing in the postseason: Single-A Jupiter, which began a best-of-three series against Daytona on Tuesday, and Double-A Pensacola, which will face Biloxi on Tuesday. A pair of Top 100 prospects (Owen Caissie and Joe Mack) impacted the big league club, while another three (Thomas White, Robby Snelling and Kevin Defrank) missed significant time due to injuries. Cam Cannarella and Brandon Compton, both selected in the 2025 Draft, broke out across three levels. Marlins director of player development Rachel Balkovec recently caught up with MLB.com to talk about the 2026 farm system. |
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On why the power numbers were up “Last year was kind of our first year, if you will, of implementing our new hitting system, and last year was a lot about plate discipline, and this phase was a lot more about bat speed. We really leaned into strength and conditioning, and really, really pushed hard on that. So, I'd like to think it's a combo of our hitting department and our strength and conditioning department working together on that.” On some of the latest innovations “We've done some pretty cool stuff on the baserunning, basestealing side. Last year probably broke out on the basestealing side, but this year baserunning as well. Just seeing us get to the top of some of those categories like [going] first to third. Our routes are better. Just tightening baserunning has been really good. “Our infield and outfield defense is top across top to bottom. We've made a lot of strides in player development, and also, obviously, it doesn't hurt to trade for great players. Everything our acquisition teams have done, from amateur to international to everything. It's been a true team effort across the board to really improve the system.” |
On top prospect White’s injury-impacted season possibly preventing a Major League debut in 2026 “He's got things to work on and develop, just like everyone else. We would have hoped. He would have hoped, of course. He's still young.” On No. 9 prospect Defrank’s injury keeping him out in 2026 “Tough one for Defrank, but he's trending positively, and there's no reason to believe that he wouldn't be ready to go next year.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
Balkovec discussed the Minor League system's 2026 season with the Marlins.TV broadcast. |
The Marlins recently announced the August recipients of the organization’s Next Wave Awards, which recognize top performers across the affiliates whose achievements reflect the club’s core player development priorities. RHP Eliazar Dishmey: Pitcher of the Month Dishmey (Marlins No. 30) posted a 2.53 ERA and a 0.984 WHIP in four August starts, striking out 31 batters and walking five in 21 1/3 innings. He earned Southern League Pitcher of the Week honors on Aug. 9 after tossing six scoreless frames with a season-high 10 strikeouts on Aug. 6. OF Ethan O’Donnell: Hitter of the Month The left-handed-hitting O’Donnell reached base safely in all 20 August games, with three doubles, five homers and a .966 OPS. The 24-year-old also walked as many times as he struck out (12). INF Brayden Taylor: Defensive Player of the Month Taylor, whom the Marlins acquired in the Liam Hicks trade, ranked first among all Marlins Minor Leaguers with +3.6 Outs Above Average in 134 defensive innings across three positions (nine games at second base, eight games at third base and one game at shortstop), according to the Marlins. The 24-year-old ranks as the system’s No. 10 prospect. OF Andres Valor: Baserunner of the Month Valor, 20, went 12-for-13 in stolen-base attempts over 19 games with Single-A Jupiter in August. According to the Marlins, he attempted a steal in 40 percent of his opportunities while posting a 93 percent success rate. His career-high 58 steals lead the Marlins’ system. C Nestor Rios: Fish of the Month The award is given to the player who best embodies what it means to be an outstanding teammate within the organization. The 21-year-old has spent time with High-A Beloit and Double-A Pensacola this season. |
As part of Major League Baseball’s league-wide Childhood Cancer Awareness Day initiative to raise awareness and support children and families impacted by childhood cancer, the Marlins hosted pediatric patients, their families and physicians from UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s alex’s place on Sunday at loanDepot park. Earlier this season, Esteury Ruiz visited pediatric patients at alex’s place in celebration of National Coloring Book Day, where he spent the morning coloring baseball-themed artwork with patients and their families. The artwork was used to design a special T-shirt that the Marlins wore before Sunday’s win over the Cubs. Pregame festivities included ceremonial first pitches, a clubhouse experience with players, a starting lineup appearance and the “Play Ball” announcement. A physician from UHealth Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center was featured in an interview on Marlins.TV, and patients were recognized during an in-game moment. Around MLB, on-field personnel, including players, managers, coaches and umpires, wore gold ribbon decals on the field and had the option to wear gold wristbands from Franklin Sports. There were also commemorative base jewels and lineup cards. |
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