One reason the Marlins have enjoyed a successful season and advanced to the National League Division Series is that they were able to tap into their deep farm system. In Game 3 on Thursday afternoon, the organization turned to one of its top prospects to attempt to infuse some life into the offense.

Jazz Chisholm, the Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, got the start at second base. Jon Berti, who has started at second in Miami's four playoff games so far, moved to right field. Veteran Matt Joyce, who normally starts in right against right-handed pitchers, was out of the lineup. Though the Marlins were blanked for the second day in a row, 7-0, and eliminated from the playoffs, Chisholm finished his 2020 campaign with a double and a walk. Berti went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, and Joyce pinch-hit in the ninth, lining out to end the game.

“Jazz is a different little dude,” said manager Don Mattingly said. “Just his way of thinking, but I think he’s going to be really good.”

Mattingly and bench coach James Rowson discussed the move following Wednesday’s loss, and Chisholm found himself in the starting lineup for the first time in the playoffs.

Chisholm opened the season at the alternate training site, as he hadn't played above Double-A before this season. In 21 regular-season games, he showed flashes of his vast upside with two homers. But Chisholm is still a work in progress, reflected by his slash line of .161/.242/.321. His swing tends to get long, when has led him to strike out 19 times in 56 at-bats.

Still, Chisholm is scratching the surface of his raw talents. He has elite bat speed, above-average power and no shortage of confidence.

“I think he's going to have to make sure he continues to mature in his work, especially at the plate [and in] his discipline and work more than anything else,” Mattingly said. “He sees the ball really well. He sees it early, which is a trait of guys that really end up really hitting that are able to [see] balls so quickly and recognize. So his energy's been great, he works extremely hard. We just got to make sure it works consistently, works smart.”

Chisholm has generally been regarded as the shortstop of the future, but could his more immediate future be at second base? Miguel Rojas, who is signed through 2021, has established himself at shortstop and is widely considered the club’s unofficial captain. Isan Díaz, who is on the 60-day injured list with a left groin strain, and Berti are other options to start at second in '21.

Mattingly has been impressed with Chisholm’s play at second base.

“He looks fine,” Mattingly said. “Usually, those guys in the middle can play just about anywhere. Jazz has come up as a shortstop. I'm sure he's played some second at some point somewhere in his life. You play baseball, you play all over. Guys like him, they’re so athletic, quick … second base is probably even easier for him.

“The reasons, probably, he’s at short mostly coming up is he’s got a cannon, he's got an arm that plays at short and obviously that bat. That power potential there is a guy that you expect to play short. It's a game-changer in that respect.”