Marlins prospect update: Jacob Amaya putting things together at plate, Blue Wahoos dominating
The Miami Marlins knew what they had in Jacob Amaya when it came to his defense. The 24-year-old shortstop prospect, acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran Miguel Rojas, could be a big-leaguer now if he only had to rely on his glove.
His offense? That needed some work.
The results are starting to come.
Amaya, ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Marlins’ system by MLB Pipeline, has finally starting to produce consistently at the plate while playing for the Triple A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Since the calendar flipped to May, Amaya has produced a .370 batting average, .431 on-base percentage, .565 slugging slash line over 12 games. He also has four doubles, one triple, one home run, four RBI and nine runs scored in this two-week stretch.
Amaya has logged at least one hit in 10 of 12 games, including five multihit outings.
But perhaps just as important, he has struck out just six times in his past 51 plate appearances.
According to Amaya’s MLB Pipeline scouting report, he “is most effective when he employs a controlled right-handed stroke and concentrates on getting base.”
“He got stronger during the pandemic layoff,” the scouting report continues, “but his newfound power can get him into trouble when he starts hunting home runs and chasing pitches. He settled down more in 2022 and projects as a .250 hitter with 12-15 homers per season and plenty of walks. That type of production would be more than enough to make Amaya a big league regular at shortstop, because he’s a quality defender. Not only does he have quick, reliable hands and a strong, accurate arm, but his high baseball IQ and nonstop energy allow him to get the most out of his physical tools.”
Double A Pensacola dominating
Just how good have the Pensacola Blue Wahoos been lately?
The Marlins’ Double A affiliate has won a staggering 16 of its past 17 games, including sweeping the Birmingham Barons (the Chicago White Sox’s Double A affiliate) on the road over the past week.
In this stretch, Pensacola has outscored opponents 107-51 with three shutout victories.
Among the individual standouts during this run, which started on April 26:
▪ Sean Reynolds: The 25-year-old was originally drafted as a left-handed-hitting first baseman in 2016. He’s now in his third year as a right-handed relief pitcher and is hitting his groove during winning run. Reynolds, Miami’s No. 25 overall prospect, has held opponents scoreless in eight of nine relief appearances in this stretch, converting all five save opportunities and striking out 13 batters in 11 innings of work.
▪ Nasim Nunez: The 22-year-old shortstop, ranked as Miami’s No. 21 prospect and known for his speed and defense, has safely reached base in 15 of 17 games. He’s hitting .292 (19 for 65) with 10 RBI, 13 walks against 11 strikeouts and eight stolen bases.
▪ Will Banfield: The 23-year-old catcher has taken on an extended role with Paul McIntosh on the minor-league injured list with a hamstring injury. In addition to being the primary catcher, Banfield has safely reached base in eight of his past nine games (with four multi-hit efforts in that span) to go along with two home runs, 10 RBI and nine runs scored.
▪ Victor Mesa Jr.: The 21-year-old outfielder and the Marlins’ 14th overall propsect leads the Blue Wahoos with 15 RBI in this span. Eight of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases — five doubles and three home runs — and also has five stolen bases and 12 runs scored in these 17 games.
▪ Starting pitching: Top prospect Eury Perez had three stellar starts — three earned runs allowed over 17 innings with 25 strikeouts against four walks — before being called up for his MLB debut. Miami’s fourth-ranked prospect Dax Fulton has a 2.57 ERA (four runs over 14 innings) with 21 strikeouts against eight walks in three starts. Patrick Monteverde, Miami’s No. 30 prospect, has a 2.00 ERA (four earned runs in 18 innings) with 20 strikeouts against eight walks. And Evan Fitterer, the No. 27 prospect in the organization, has held opponents to five earned runs over 21 innings (a 2.14 ERA) in his first four Double A starts, all of which have come during this stretch.
