Fish On First Prospects Report: Carter Johnson breaking out after adapting swing, approach

For the 2026 season, Fish On First will provide weekly reports on the Miami Marlins farm system, covering all levels. This is the final check-in we'll be doing before the All-Star break arrives.

This report covers the games played from June 30-July 6.

Triple-A Jacksonville

Kemp Alderman continues to have a strong season in Triple-A, now slashing .301/.377/.515/.892 with 12 home runs, 33 RBI and a 135 wRC+. Having added the ability to play first base on top of his corner outfielder background, Alderman would already be playing in the big leagues for many other organizations. However, the Marlins continue to get excellent offensive production from those positions.

Don't forget about Deyvison De Los Santos, who already debuted this season. De Los Santos hit a home run in back-to-back games to finish the week and is riding a five-game hit streak for the Jumbo Shrimp. He is now slashing .271/.322/.438/.761 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a 101 wRC+. The biggest improvement by far is his career-low 19.0% strikeout rate.

More than two months since getting sent down, Agustín Ramírez is slashing .252/.327/.457/.784 with seven home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a 106 wRC+. He is striking out 21.1% of the time while walking 8.8%.

The last time Marlins manager Clayton McCullough was on Fish Unfiltered, he said that the organization had begun to consider moving Ramirez to first base, but that has yet to happen in a game itself. Ramirez has allowed 40 stolen bases while throwing out 10 and has seven passed balls plus 11 errors so far in Triple-A. The defense behind the plate is not getting much better for him.

Since being optioned himself, Connor Norby has played in six games (four starts), slashing .333/.417/.381/.798 with three RBI. He has not played first base in any game—only third base and second base once.

On the mound, it's been all downhill for Karson Milbrandt since his scoreless Triple-A debut. Most recently on Saturday, he allowed five runs on six hits, walked three and failed to record a strikeout. In five Triple-A starts, the Futures Game representative has a 4.15 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 7.89 K/9 and 8.31 BB/9. Milbrandt has now walked three or more hitters in every start since arriving to Jacksonville.

Jack Ralston continues to be a steady force in the Jacksonville bullpen, now posting a 1.18 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 11.04 K/9 and 3.74 BB/9 in 45 ⅔ innings pitched. Ralston, who the Marlin signed to the minor league deal back in the offseason, made a strong impression during spring training, but did not make the Opening Day roster. He continues to wait his turn even as injuries have opened up bullpen spots for the likes of Cade Gibson, Tyler Zuber and Zach Brzykcy.

In his last four starts with Jacksonville, Braxton Garrett has only two walks and has struck out 27. It's a dramatic change from what he showed during a brief stint in the Marlins rotation.

Garrett now has a 1.55 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 9.70 K/9 and 3.52 BB/9 in 12 starts with Jacksonville. The Marlins don't yet seem convinced that he'd be an upgrade to their rotation, and now with Janson Junk closing in on his return from the injured list, it's unclear if another big league opportunity will open for him this season.

Double-A Pensacola

It was an eventful week for Pensacola who waited out some long rain delays and postponements and took part in some brouhaha in their penultimate game, which resulted in six ejections and a possible suspension. Overall, pitching struggled for the Wahoos as they dropped five of six games to Rocket City.

We're running out of adjectives to describe what Cam Cannarella is doing. Another week, another standout effort: 6-for-17, two solo homers and a double. The 22-year-old, largely scouted as hit over power, is now slugging .599 on the year. He’s hit all eight of his Double-A home runs in a 14-game span.

What’s arguably most impressive about Cannarella’s added power is that it’s not fluky whatsoever. When he goes pull side, he hits no-doubters, but he’s also showing a penchant for frequenting his opposite field. A generous plate coverage bat already, this addition of power could not be going any more advantageously for Cannarella. Not sacrificing patience and swing decisions, he’s turning in to a complete offensive weapon. All of this is happening while he is playing a plus-plus center field, as evidenced by his latest acrobatic catch this week.

This is a breakout on another level. With continued production, Cannarella should be considered the favorite to be the Marlins’ starting center fielder in 2027.

One pitcher who didn’t struggle for Pensacola this week was Eliazar Dishmey. After a one-inning rain-shortened start on Thursday, the righty responded on Sunday with his best outing at the Double-A level, pitching into the seventh inning on just three hits. He did not allow a hit until his final frame. Dishmey struck out eight, and perhaps most encouraging of all, did not walk a batter (he had walked a season-high six in his start the previous week).

It was a rude welcome to the high minors for the 21-year-old, who is playing against competition over three years older than him on average, but Dishmey showcased the maturity and ability necessary to adjust back to far more advanced hitters. This start proved that, when commanding, his deep arsenal is capable of dominating Double-A bats. Dishmey used his entire five-pitch arsenal well, keeping guys off balance and proving he can get whiffs with any of his offerings. He featured three different out pitches, recording strikeouts with fastball, slider and curveball.

The improvement of the slider has been a key cog in Dishmey’s development this season as he’s shown the ability to throw the pitch with high spin and late break to his spot. It also features some sharp downward actions, allowing him to throw it outside of the zone for uncompetitive whiffs. Dishmey can also change speeds and eye levels well, particularly with his heater which he can ramp up to 97 mph or take something off of to dip down into the low 90s. A crafty pitcher with a still-developing four-pitch mix, he can get guys out in a variety of ways. Command will need to consist for Dishmey to remain effective, but at just 21 already succeeding at Double-A, he has a high floor. After the likes of Thomas White and Karson Milbrandt, this is one of the next best pitchers in the Marlins’ system.

High-A Beloit

Beloit battled through a suspended game and a postponement at home against South Bend but was able to kick off July in a very positive fashion, taking five of six games against the Cubs for their second straight series win. Pitching was the key for the Sky Carp as they tossed three shutouts. As a team, they allowed just over 20 runs over the six game set. Beloit is 11-6 in their last 17 games.

After a delayed start to his career due to a season-ending injury in 2024 and having to be built back up during the first half of 2025, Aiden May is quietly putting everything together in Beloit. Early-season flashes in between struggles with control and command are turning into consistency for the 23-year-old. Since his second start of May, the righty has been turning in quality results that equate to 23 ⅔ innings and four earned runs (1.55 ERA). May’s latest export was his second quality start of the season and first since April 19. Over six frames, he allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out four. Most encouraging of all for May was his ability to command all four quadrants of the strike zone and induce regular weak contact, including eight ground ball outs.

It has been very refreshing to see May start to round into form but what is even more remarkable is how much further he could possibly go. With a fantastic pure stuff profile including a sinking fastball that can touch 98 mph and a fantastic sweeping slider that holds astounding horizontal movement, the 6’1”, 196-pounder’s profile, career arch and development so far are all akin to Max Meyer who the Marlins fully unlocked this year and turned into a top-of-the-rotation starter. To stick as a starter, the persistent harnessing of his control and command as well as the further development of a third-pitch changeup which has flashed plus already this year, will be key. Because of the already plus-plus two-pitch combo, May at the least could be a very solid multiple-inning reliever, providing him with a high floor. That same stuff profile gives him a pretty solid ceiling as a mid-back-end-rotational starter if everything works out. For now, the Marlins have to be very pleased with how May is starting to project.

Another early-round Marlins pick starting to turn heads is Carter Johnson, Miami’s second-rounder in 2024. It was an uninspiring start for the high schooler who was assigned to full-season ball right out of the draft and continued there for all of 2025. In his first 134 games as a pro, Johnson was humbled to the tune of a .186 batting average and 174/54 K/BB. Johnson returned to Jupiter to begin 2026, where he finally found success against Florida State League pitching. In 63 games, he slashed .243/.355/.426. With improved plate discipline and swing selections, Johnson held down a 79/39 K/BB, spurring his promotion to High-A.

With the Sky Carp, his success has permeated. In his first nine games in Beloit, Johnson is slashing .314/.400/.714. This past week, he earned our Prospect of the Week honors by going 8-for-19 with three long balls.

Along with his much enhanced timing and temperament at the plate, Johnson has exhibited a much shorter swing. This has allowed him to get his bat on many more pitches, particularly pitches on his inside that would previously tie him up in knots. Closing that hole in his approach has allowed Johnson to make the most of quick hands and come by some pretty good power numbers. Previously a very easy matchup, he is quickly becoming a tough out.

Johnson looked fine as a shortstop with Jupiter but with Beloit, he’s spent all but two games at third base. He’s looked fine there as well, particularly showing off solid arm strength.

Low-A Jupiter

One prospect who continues to shine at the Low-A level is infielder Echedry Vargas, who is slashing .300/.353/.502/.855 with eight home runs, 36 RBI and a 126 wRC+.

The Marlins acquired Vargas as the main piece in a trade with the Texas Rangers sending Jake Burger to the Lone Star State. After struggles at the High-A level, the Marlins demoted the 21-year-old to Low-A, where he seemingly has shown plenty of improvements. As nice as it is to see Vargas surge offensively, it's hard to believe in him as a long-term contributor until he gets tested at High-A again..

After a strong start for Luis León, he is now slashing .273/.314/.364/.678 with one home run, six RBI and an 85 wRC+. An international signing out of Cuba in 2024, Leon struggled in 2025, but after repeating the FCL to begin 2026, he had a 106 wRC+ in 34 games before being promoted to Jupiter. Between both levels, he is slashing .254/.362/.420/.782 with four home runs, 23 RBI, 24 stolen bases and a 102 wRC+. His FCL numbers carry that slash line for the most part.

Left-hander Elier Morillo appeared in one game against Dunedin, where he went 1 ⅔ shutout innings, striking out four and only allowing one walk. Fish On First recently spoke to Morillo in detail about his development with the Marlins org. Overall, he now has a 4.30 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 17.49 K/9 and 7.06 BB/9. Despite almost always working in relief, he ranks fifth on the Hammerheads with 57 total strikeouts.

FCL Marlins

Yohanfer Santana has struggled with command throughout his career, walking 62 batters in 60 innings. That's a common profile at the lower levels of the Marlins system.

On the other hand, he possesses some of the best strikeout stuff you'll find. This year in the FCL, Santana owns a 15.0 K/9. His H/9 is down by more than a hit compared to last year, but the walks continue to hold him back, as he owns a career 9.30 BB/9 in the minors. This week he showed a glimpse of his potential, throwing two innings while striking out five, walking none, and hitting one batter.

Santana is still just 20 years old, and the raw stuff is there. However, with this being his fourth professional season and the command still not taking a step forward, it will be interesting to see what the organization's plan is moving forward.

John Cruz is riding an eight-game hitting streak dating back to June 19 and has raised his season average to .295. His .495 slugging percentage is nearly double what it was last year, while his .890 OPS is approaching the level he reached during his breakout season in the Yankees organization in 2023. This is the version of John Cruz the Marlins believed they were acquiring in 2024.

Adrian Bello is putting together another nice season in the FCL after breaking out in the DSL last year. He is hitting .295 with seven doubles, one home run, and 16 RBIs. He has also shown a disciplined approach at the plate, walking 15 times while striking out just 16. He is currently riding a four-game hitting streak and has recorded a hit in seven of his last eight games. His consistency has been one of the more encouraging developments in the FCL lineup, and he continues to make a strong case for a promotion later this season.

DSL Marlins & DSL Miami

Evan Da Souza continues to impress across the board. Through the first month of the DSL season, the 16-year-old owns a 2.03 ERA. In 13⅓ innings, he has allowed just six hits and three earned runs. This past week he continued that trend, throwing three innings while allowing one hit, one run, and striking out five. He has walked 17 batters in those 13⅓ innings, but when he is in the zone, he is nearly unhittable. At just 16 years old, it's not a matter of if, but when.

Carlos Ochoa is quite the opposite of most pitchers in the DSL. In 8⅓ innings this season, he has walked just three batters while striking out 11. This past week he struck out five over two innings while allowing just one walk. In 30 innings last year, he walked 22 batters, so the improvement is clearly there. At 19 years old, he could be knocking on the door of a stateside debut.

Through five starts, Ricardo Morel—no relation to Christopher—has put together a solid season. In 14 innings pitched, he owns a 3.86 ERA while striking out 22 batters. This past week he turned in another strong outing, throwing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts and one walk. The biggest things to watch are the walks and the lack of ground balls he's generating. He has walked 13 batters in those 14 innings, and his GO/AO ratio sits at just 0.12. According to MiLB.com, he is averaging 21 pitches per inning, so if the command improves, the results should take another step forward across the board.

Bayant Melo has made the report in back-to-back weeks as he continues to put together the best season of his professional career. This week he added three more scoreless innings while striking out four. The command is still a little shaky, but what a bounce-back year it has been for him.

Daniel Peña made his professional debut this week and looked like he hadn't missed a beat. He went 4-for-7 (.571) with a couple of RBIs and a pair of stolen bases. All four hits were singles, but it's encouraging to see him get comfortable immediately. 

What's better than a week with one home run for the 17-year-old? A week with two. Santiago Solarte launched two more home runs this week, bringing his season total to four. He is off to a 4-for-10 (.400) start in July and has already stolen five bases this month, giving him 21 on the year. Defense remains the glaring weakness for him, as he has committed 15 errors this season, including 12 in just 106⅓ innings at shortstop.

This week's schedule

• Triple-A Jacksonville vs. Durham
• Double-A Pensacola vs. Montgomery
• High-A Beloit at Wisconsin
• Low-A Jupiter vs. St. Lucie
• FCL Marlins, DSL Marlins and DSL Miami against various opponents

Interested in learning more about the Miami Marlins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!