Miami Marlins Win AFL Award for Organizational Excellence
Sure 2019 wasn’t a strong season for the Miami Marlins. The team muddled around the basement of the NL East. They lost 105 games and posted a run differential of minus-93. By those accounts and more, many would deem such a season a lost campaign.
Even with that said, as with all things there resides a silver lining. Just before the Washington Nationals captured the MLB crown, the Marlins earned something of their own. The Marlins were given the inaugural AFL Award for organizational excellence. The AFL award is presented to the team that meets or exceeds their obligations to their four AFL (Arizona Fall League) partners.
The Marlins are extremely honored to be recognized with this award. “This is a credit to the team effort that many people in our organization contributed to, both on and off the field,” said Marlin’s chief executive officer Derek Jeter in a statement. “It serves as a testament to the first-class organization we are building here in Miami.”
The Road to Excellence
The product at the MLB level is very sub-par. But the work being done within the minor league ranks in 2019 was nearly unmatched. Ever since the Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter ownership group took over this organization is on the rise. They have continued to rebuild the team from the Minor Leagues on up.
The Marlins have continued to add notable and ranked talent across all four levels of development. Those levels include Clinton Iowa, Jupiter Florida, Jacksonville Florida, and Witchita Kansas. Currently, the Marlins have six players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, tied for the most of any squad. The only other club to match that mark is the San Diego Padres organization.
The talent hasn’t arrived in Miami’s lap by accident. Seven out of the clubs’ top 12 prospects have come via trade. Three of those came through strong, under the radar trades by Jeter and company in Jazz Chisholm, Lewin Diaz, and Jesus Sanchez. All moves brought initial questions including trading prized young arm in Zac Gallen to Arizona Diamondbacks for Chisholm. While the Minnesota Twins received a top arm for the postseason, Miami received Lewin Diaz, a moble fielder with a .294/.336/.553 slash line across two levels.
Going Forward
The Arizona Fall League has a big presence of Marlins prospects. Jose Devers (Miami’s 10th ranked prospect), Nick Neidert (No. 11), Victor Victor Mesa (No.13), and Jerar Encarnacion (No. 17). This is another sign that life in the Minor Leagues is alive and well for Miami.
The MLB product may not look like much. However, there is a lot to be excited about down the pipeline for the Marlins. Many have criticized Derek Jeter and his regime. But earning the award is a massive proving point. The process is real and the Miami Marlins are in the right direction.
