New wave of Marlins prospects invited to camp

MIAMI -- A number of recently acquired Marlins' prospects will have to wait their turn before reaching the Major Leagues, but that doesn't mean they won't get a taste of big league experience in Spring Training.
Among Miami's non-roster invitees will be five players obtained through trades this offseason, headlined by outfielder Monte Harrison, ranked 71st on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list. Joining him will be infielder Isan Díaz and right-handers Nick Neidert, Zac Gallen and Jordan Yamamoto.
Harrison, Diaz and Yamamoto were part of last week's deal that sent Christian Yelich to the Brewers.
Lewis Brinson, Miami's No. 1 prospect, was the centerpiece of the blockbuster trade. The 23-year-old outfielder, rated 27th overall by MLB Pipeline, already is on the 40-man roster, which brings an automatic invitation to Spring Training.

"I think when you look at the deals that we've been able to make," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said after the Yelich trade. "We felt like we added impactful, championship-caliber players, players that will be part of future Marlins championships, that will reach the big leagues and allow us to bring a championship back to South Florida."
Neidert and Gallen joined the Marlins in December.
Neidert was included in the Dee Gordon deal with Seattle, and Gallen was in the Marcell Ozuna trade with St. Louis.

The Marlins have had a busy offseason, making four major trades, with the trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees gaining the most attention.
These trades helped fill the Marlins' system, and the organization intends to develop their young talent carefully. That's why Jorge Guzman, who was part of the Stanton deal, is not being invited to big league camp. The right-hander has a 100-mph fastball and is Miami's No. 4 prospect. But he didn't pitch above Class A last year, and he will be groomed carefully.
Harrison, Neidert and Gallen could be ready to make the leap to the big leagues at some point in 2018. For now, they will start off at Major League camp in Spring Training, but most likely will be optioned to the Minors before Opening Day.
Harrison projects to open at Class A Advanced Jupiter. He's an interesting prospect because he has raw athleticism, but has had to overcome injuries early in his professional career in the Brewers' system. He's dealt with a serious left ankle injury and also missed time with a broken hamate bone in his left hand.

In 2017, the 22-year-old was healthy, and at two Class A levels, he belted 21 home runs, drove in 67 runs and swiped 27 bases.
Diaz, Miami's No. 9 prospect, is a left-handed-hitting middle infielder with power potential. He had 13 home runs and 20 doubles last year at Class A Advanced Carolina. He is expected to start off at Jupiter.
Neidert, the Marlins' No. 9 prospect, progressed from Class A Advanced to Double-A last year, posting a 3.45 ERA in 127 2/3 innings across both levels. Most likely, he will be at Double-A Jacksonville when the season begins.
Gallen, No. 18 on Miami's Top 30 list, made steady progress in 2017, pitching at three levels -- Class A, Double-A and Triple-A. He combined for a 2.93 ERA in 147 2/3 innings.
Yamamoto is a right-hander the Marlins were elated was included in the Yelich deal. Milwaukee was reluctant to part with the 21-year-old, but ultimately agreed to do so. Although he isn't on Miami's Top 30 prospects list, he showed plenty of promise a year ago with Carolina, going 9-4 with a 2.51 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 111 innings, with a WHIP of 1.09.