The Miami Marlins added right-hander Ryan Gusto and three prospects in two Trade Deadline moves, with Chase Jaworsky entering the organization at No. 15 in its prospect rankings. Jaworsky, a High-A middle infielder, was ranked No. 13 in the Houston Astros system before the trade. Matthew Etzel also joined the Miami Marlins system, while Esmil Valencia gives the organization another Single-A outfielder.
The Miami Marlins acquired Jaworsky and Valencia from the Houston Astros in the Jesus Sanchez trade. Etzel came from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Nick Fortes trade. Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said the organization remains focused on adding talent and developing its players.
“We continued to build on the plan that we’ve had, adding as much talent to this organization as we possibly can, getting the players that we have better and really just continuing on this path that we’re really excited about,” Bendix said.
Chase Jaworsky brings speed and defensive flexibility
Jaworsky is a left-handed hitter who plays shortstop and could also play second base or center field. He stole 28 bases in 78 games last season, making his speed one of the most notable parts of his profile. Jaworsky has added about 15 pounds since entering professional baseball with a 6-foot-1 frame.
The Houston Astros selected Jaworsky in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft and signed him for an $847,500 bonus. He showed steady improvement as a 19-year-old in Single-A before a broken finger ended his first full professional season in late July. His bat-to-ball skills and ability to use the entire field remain part of his profile, while he continues to work on selectivity and strength.
Jaworsky has good actions and range at shortstop, but there are questions about whether his average arm will allow him to remain at the position. The Houston Astros believed his quick release and internal clock could help him stay at shortstop. Second base and center field are other possible destinations.
His arrival adds to a Miami Marlins middle-infield group that includes Echedry Vargas at High-A and Starlyn Caba, Andrew Salas and Carter Johnson at Single-A. The organization now has several young middle-infield options at different levels. Jaworsky will continue his development at High-A.
Matthew Etzel adds speed at Double-A
Etzel joins the Miami Marlins as a Double-A outfielder after arriving from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Nick Fortes trade. He has played all three outfield positions and also has seen time at first base. That defensive flexibility gives Miami another option as it evaluates his bat at the upper levels.
Etzel stole 45 bases over 119 games last year. He also batted .371 with a .463 on-base percentage, a .586 slugging percentage and 25 stolen bases in 33 MLB Draft League games in 2022. The Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 10th round out of Southern Mississippi.
Etzel’s production dipped after a promotion to Double-A and during his time with Montgomery. He batted .232 with a .692 OPS and a 35 percent strikeout rate in 36 games for Montgomery. His speed remains a significant part of his profile, but he will need more extra-base production, including doubles and triples, to support his offensive value.
Etzel joins an upper-level outfield group that includes Kemp Alderman, Jakob Marsee, Victor Mesa Jr. and Andrew Pintar. He gives the Miami Marlins another athletic outfielder to develop. His progress at Double-A will be an important part of his evaluation with the organization.
Esmil Valencia joins the Single-A outfield
Valencia was the other prospect acquired from the Houston Astros in the Jesus Sanchez trade. He was batting .263 with a .325 on-base percentage, a .357 slugging percentage and 16 extra-base hits in 83 Single-A games at the time of the trade. Valencia primarily plays center field and has also seen time in right field.
Valencia is a 70-grade runner, according to the scouting report, but he also has some swing-and-miss concerns. At 19, he was playing against competition that was described as 1 1/2 years older than him. His next opportunity will come in the Miami Marlins’ Single-A outfield group.
Valencia joins a group that includes center fielder Dillon Head, left fielder PJ Morlando and right fielder Andres Valor. The addition gives Miami another young outfielder to develop at the Single-A level. Valencia’s speed and defensive profile will remain central to his development as the organization evaluates his offensive consistency.
FSB Take
The Miami Marlins used their Trade Deadline moves to add talent at multiple levels of the farm system. Jaworsky brings a No. 15 prospect ranking, middle-infield versatility and speed at High-A, while Etzel and Valencia add outfield depth at Double-A and Single-A.
Ryan Gusto also joined the organization as part of the moves. The progress of Jaworsky, Etzel and Valencia will determine how these additions fit alongside Miami’s existing prospects, including Echedry Vargas, Starlyn Caba, Andrew Salas and Carter Johnson.
Source: Original report