Spring Breakout roster evidence of how Marlins farm system has been transformed

For the second time, the backfields will come to the main field during spring training. On March 14, the Marlins will once again face off against their stadium mates, the St Louis Cardinals, in the Spring Breakout game, meant to showcase the next wave in each organization.

This year’s roster is chock full of talent new to the rebuilt Miami organization, including 23 players who appeared on our latest Fish On First Top 30 list. A few returnees from last year’s edition are also intermixed, but the overall improvement in depth and talent level is well pronounced.

Here’s more on some of the standout prospects participating in this year’s game.

Top prospect Thomas White will appear in the game for a second straight year. Participating in the event last season, White walked a batter but struck out the side in a single frame. White went on to hold down a 2.81 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 120 strikeouts between Low-and-High-A during his first full year pro. From July 5 through August 29, White was automatic. In each of eight starts, he went five innings while allowing just one earned run per outing. The accolades won him the organization’s Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year awards.

Already this spring, White has somehow gotten even better. In his work on the backfields during early MiLB camp, White is sitting 97 and has hit triple digits.

“He was 19 years old in High-A where average age is 23-24; him and I were way younger. For him to go out there and go five innings of one-run ball with a handful of strikeouts is super impressive,” Noble Meyer said. “For him to come out here and show he’s made huge strides again? I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t a top 10 [MLB] prospect by the end of the year.”

Meyer himself has also had an impressive spring so far. Back in camp healthy after playing through  a minor injury last season, Meyer is working on altering the grip of his slider in order to relieve effort and live in the zone more often. His velocity has also ticked up by more than three miles per hour on his fastball.

FOF's second-ranked prospect Starlyn Caba heads to his first Spring Breakout in the midst of his first stateside spring training camp. After arriving early, Caba has impressed with his well-rounded skill set, particularly on defense. His fantastic athleticism along with good reads and range to both sides allows Caba to dazzle with the glove. On that side of the ball, he’s already nearing MLB readiness. Caba will need to continue develop with the bat a bit more particularly with contact rates and growing into at least some pop, but when he gets on base, he is an absolute terror for oppositions. His 60-grade speed allotted him 50 stolen bases in 78 games last season. With plenty of time for growth as he heads into his first full season likely at Low-A to start, Caba has a  high floor. He’s 19.

Possibly the biggest acquisition of the offseason for the Marlins via international free agency, Andrew Salas was signed by the Marlins this winter for $3.7 million. Like Caba, the biggest thing that stands out about Salas—who just turned 17 earlier this week—is maturity. Whether it be with swing decisions, controlling the barrel, how he speaks or with how he has soaked up the first days of his professional tenure, Salas looks and sounds like he’s already been around for years.

The Marlins have noticed Salas’ advancement from very early on. Whereas the vast majority of this year’s international signings will begin their careers overseas at the Dominican Academy, Salas will start his career in Jupiter. With the quick-twitch style and ability for a 60-grade hit tool and the likelihood to stick at a premium position whether that be middle infield or center field, Salas is one of the most exciting prospects in the Marlins’ system.

Dillon Head is set to participate in the showcase. Head was limited to just three games with the Hammerheads after finding over from the Padres last season, but he used his time off to his advantage recovering and improving physically. With improved muscle mass, Head can be seen making easy plus contact. His added size should allow him to close his biggest gap which was trying to force game power. Head runs extremely well with speed graded at 60. This should allow him to stick in center field and threaten for extra bases whenever he reaches.

Head, 20, is ahead of schedule. Even with the missed time, he tracks to make it up to High-A in 2025.

Lefty Dax Fulton was absent from the inaugural Spring Breakout while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery. What stands out most about Fulton is his determination and strength through adversity. He used time off to his advantage, shedding pounds and building muscle. Now near 6’8” and down 20 pounds, Fulton is in big league camp with Miami. There, he’s been working on a new gyro slider and on continuing to build up his changeup. Initial results have been fantastic. A great story and a supreme competitor, Fulton has a chance to make his MLB debut in 2025.

Lefty Robby Snelling is taking part in the game after coming to the Marlins from San Diego in the Tanner Scott trade last summer. 

After holding down a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings between Double-A and Triple-A amidst his change of scenery, Snelling is in big league camp with the Marlins this year, showing a pronounced increase in velocity. He’s shown his four-seamer as high as 97 and his slider as high as 89. He’s also working on developing a sweeper to go along with the rest of his arsenal including a changeup and a staple curveball. With little left to prove in the minors other than maybe a bit more consistent repeatability and with lefties in short supply in the Marlins’ organization, we will see Snelling make his big league debut this season.

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!