It’s the middle of June and the Marlins are still playing well, despite losing Jose Fernandez for the rest of the season to Tommy John Surgery.  While I doubt they see October baseball, the team has improved and they still have two impact players in Andrew Heaney and Jake Marisnick in the system.  Both should get the call at some point during the 2014 season.

1. Next in Line Infield Prospects

• Rob Brantly (C, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Zack Cox (3B, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
  

Notes: Currently there are no infield impact players in the upper minors of the Marlins.  Zack Cox was a high draft pick in 2010 by the St. Louis Cardinals but has just not progressed into the player that his draft status would have predicted.  He profiles as an extra bat and can be ignored in all fantasy formats.

2. Next in Line Outfield Prospects

• Brian Bogusevic (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Jake Marisnick (OF, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium – PROMOTED: 6/16/14
  

Notes: Jake Marisnick got 109 at-bats in Miami last year but did not perform well; posting a .181/.231/.248 slash line.  While he does have speed and power in his game, the hit-tool continues to be the question mark.  He’s also gotten off to a slow start to his 2014 season and given the overall state of the Marlins outfield, there really isn’t a need to accelerate his timeframe.

3. Next in Line Pitching Prospects

• Brian Flynn (LHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Low
• Adam Conley (LHP, Triple-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium
• Andrew Heaney (LHP, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: High – PROMOTED: 6/16/14
  
• Anthony DeSclafani (RHP, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium – PROMOTED: 6/16/14
  
• Justin Nicolnio (LHP, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium

Notes: Brian Flynn is on the 40-man roster and should be the next logical pitcher to be promoted.  He has the size at 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds to log significant innings but the arsenal and command point to a back-of-the-rotation starter.  Lefty Adam Conley has gotten off to a strong start; throws strikes and could have some early success in the Majors.  However, he’s primarily a FB/CH pitcher and without a solid breaking pitch, could eventually be bound for the pen.  Andrew Heaney was the number nine pick in the 2012 draft and while only in Double-A, he’s nearly big league ready.  He has the arsenal and command to be a solid number two starter in the major leagues.  Given his hot start, you could see Heaney promoted as early as May.  Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Nicolino are interesting prospects with number three upside.  They have both gotten off to good start to 2014 and could see time in Miami over the summer.

4. Next in Line Relief Prospects

• Carter Capps (RHP, Double-A)  – Fantasy relevance: Medium – PROMOTED: 4-16-14
  
• Nick Wittgren (RHP, Double-A) – Fantasy relevance: Medium

Notes: Carter Capps and Nick Wittgren both have closer potential and should be on all fantasy owners radar.  It probably won’t happen in 2014, but the skill-set is there for both, with Nick Wittgren having the higher upside.