Marlins' first wave of cuts includes 6 prospects
No. 2-ranked Harrison reassigned to Minor League camp
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Marlins made their first wave of cuts on Friday, and among them are six of their top prospects, including outfielder Monte Harrison.
Harrison, ranked by MLB Pipeline as Miami's No. 2 prospect, was reassigned to Minor League camp.
In all, the Marlins made 14 moves, reducing their Spring Training roster to 53.
Other top-rated prospects sent down were right-handers Nick Neidert (No. 10), Zac Gallen (14), Merandy Gonzalez (16), Trevor Richards (22) and Pablo Lopez (24).
Gallen, Neidert and Richards were reassigned to Minor League camp, while Gonzalez and Lopez were optioned to Double-A Jacksonville.
The Marlins also optioned right-hander James Needy and catcher Austin Nola to Triple-A New Orleans and right-hander Miguel del Pozo to Jacksonville.
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Also reassigned to Minor League camp were right-handers Tyler Cloyd and Ben Meyer, along with catcher Rodrigo Vigil and infielders Johnny Giavotella and Jonathan Rodriguez.
None of the moves are a surprise.
Harrison, who was not on the 40-man roster, was acquired from the Brewers in the Christian Yelich trade. In nine Grapefruit League appearances, Harrison had 15 at-bats, batting .133 with two doubles and three RBIs. He is refining his swing, and he projects to open at Jacksonville or Class A Advanced Jupiter.
Neidert, Gallen, Gonzalez and Lopez were acquired in trades either in the offseason or dating back to last July. Richards is a homegrown prospect who finished up last year at Jacksonville, and he could wind up at New Orleans.