Marlins Minor League Report: April 15-21

Each week, Fish Stripes will be recapping the past week’s performances throughout the Marlins minor league system. Highlighting the players who either had an outstanding week, or one they would like to put behind them.

All stats updated entering April 22.

Triple-A New Orleans Baby Cakes (5-2, 9-8 overall)

The New Orleans Baby Cakes rebounded very well this past week after their horrendous performance in the week prior. A big factor for the Baby Cakes 5-2 record is because of their improved pitching. In their five victories, the pitching staff has only surrendered a combined 11 runs. That’s a little over two runs per game (honorable mention to right-hander Dustin Beggs, who shined bright in his NOLA debut). So with the way their offense has been producing over the last two weeks, it’s no surprise that the Baby Cakes won five out of their past seven games.

Outstanding Players: Monte Harrison & Zac Gallen

Normally, just one player is picked for this section, but it was just too hard to chose between these players. Monte Harrison (No. 3) and Zac Gallen (No. 18) are among the Top 30 prospects in the Marlins minor-league system, according to MLB Pipeline.

In Gallen’s start this past week against the Iowa Cubs, he pitched 5 ²⁄₃ innings while only allowing a pair of hits and a lone walk, while also striking out six batters. For Harrison, the former second-round pick went 11-for-25 along with two doubles, a triple, a home run, three RBI and six walks.

Double-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (1-6, 5-12 overall)

The Jumbo Shrimp followed up their 2-4 record from the previous week, with an even worse performance this past week. The blame for their record should come on both sides of the plate. The Jumbo Shrimp’s offense only scored a total of 18 runs, while their pitching allowed a combined 40 runs through the seven games played. To make it easier for you to understand, their offense averaged 2.6 runs/game, while their pitching staff surrendered an average 5.7 runs/game.

Disappointing Player: Cody Poteet

RHP Cody Poteet suffered another poor performance this past week. The 24-year-old was blown up by the Biloxi Shuckers last Saturday. The former fourth-round draft selection left the game after the fifth inning. In that start, he gave up eight hits, five runs and three walks before exiting.

There were equally discouraging results for Jorge Guzman (4.1 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K).

High-A Jupiter Hammerheads (2-4, 7-9 overall)

The Jupiter Hammerheads followed their 4-2 record last week with a disappointing 2-4 record this past week. Unlike last week, the offense is the cause for he Hammerheads under-performing week. Their lineup was only able to produce ten runs through six games, which averages to less than two runs per game.

However, the one positive note from this past week is that their pitching has continued their hot start to the season. They held their opponents to just 18 runs in their six games played.

Disappointing Player: James Nelson

James Nelson, who is ranked No.20 among the Top 30 in the Marlins system, made this choice very easy given his terrible performance this past week. The 21-year-old third baseman had one hit in 24 at-bats this past week. Along with only recording one walk, he also whiffed five times as well. He’s been too anxious at the plate, and he will need to be more relaxed in the games coming up. Otherwise, he will likely be moved out of the middle of their lineup.

Low-A Clinton LumberKings (5-1, 9-6 overall)

The Clinton LumberKings finally had some good weather for baseball this past week. Along with the good weather, they were able to play some very good baseball as well. Both their pitching and hitting were the causes for their outstanding 5-1 record. While six of their seven games came down to just a one-run difference, their pitching staff averaged under four runs per game. That is a big improvement from a week ago, when they gave up an average of over five runs per game.

Outstanding Player: Chris Vallimont

Chris Vallimont is the other second-time selection through three weeks. The fifth-round pick last year has been outstanding in his three starts for the LumberKings. In his start last Tuesday against the Peoria Chiefs, the 22-year-old went seven innings and only gave up one run on three hits. Vallimont also recorded eight strikeouts, totaling 19 for the season. He is currently tied for fifth for the most strikeouts in the Midwest League.