During this brief break in the 2026 minor league season, it's time to check in with each of Fish On First's ranked Miami Marlins prospects. Some of them have taken major steps forward, while others have battled injuries or faced challenges on the field while adjusting to higher levels.

Every player in our Top 30 is covered below, breaking down their first-half performance, development, and outlook entering the second half of the season.

1. Thomas White

Began season at Triple-A; currently at Triple-A (injured list)

White entered the season with legitimate expectations of making his major league debut before the end of the year. Instead, injuries derailed what was shaping up to be another important step in his development. Over just 18 ⅔ innings, White saw a slight dip in velocity across his arsenal, allowed four doubles and three home runs, and walked nine batters before being diagnosed with a left shoulder capsular sprain. The injury is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Although the first half was disappointing, White's long-term outlook remains unchanged. He has succeeded at every level of the minors throughout his career, and if he returns healthy next season, there is every reason to believe he will quickly establish himself in Jacksonville and once again put himself on the doorstep of Miami.

2. Robby Snelling

Began season at Triple-A; currently in major leagues (injured list)

Few prospects entered the season with more momentum than Snelling. After posting a 1.27 ERA across 63 ⅔ innings in Jacksonville last year, many expected him to make his major league debut in 2026, with some even believing he had a legitimate chance to win the Marlins' fifth starter job coming out of spring training.

He returned to Jacksonville and was every bit as dominant, posting a 1.86 ERA over 29 innings while striking out nearly 40% of opposing hitters. With opponents batting just .116 against him, a promotion to Miami quickly became inevitable.

His debut started about as well as anyone could have imagined, striking out James Wood on three pitches before finishing with five innings of three-run ball. Unfortunately, it would also be his only appearance. Days later, Snelling suffered a torn left UCL during a bullpen session, ending his season.

The injury is a significant setback, but with an expected recovery timeline of 10-12 months, he should return early next season if everything goes according to plan.

3. Dillon Lewis

Began season at Double-A; currently at Double-A (injured list)

Lewis wasted little time showing why the Marlins made him a key part of the Ryan Weathers trade. After breaking out with 22 home runs and 26 stolen bases across two levels in 2025, he has continued to flash that same power-speed combination during his first season in the organization.

Through 66 games with Pensacola, Lewis is hitting .240 with 17 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. The production has been impressive, though the strikeout rate remains the biggest obstacle to unlocking his full offensive potential. He is striking out in 31.5% of his plate appearances, an area that will continue to be closely monitored.

His season was interrupted on June 27 by a broken hamate bone, an injury expected to keep him out six to eight weeks. Finishing the year healthy will be just as important as the numbers he posts.

4. Aiva Arquette

Began season at High-A; currently at Double-A (injured list)

Arquette's first full professional season has featured both rapid advancement and frustrating interruptions. After spending just 14 games in High-A Beloit, he earned a promotion to Double-A Pensacola, where he has shown flashes of why he is viewed as one of the organization's cornerstone prospects.

Offensively, Arquette has hit .221 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs through his first 27 games in Pensacola. Defensively, he has looked every bit the part at shortstop, posting a .987 fielding percentage over 159 innings while displaying the smooth actions that made him such a highly regarded prospect.

The biggest hurdle has simply been staying on the field. Injuries have already interrupted his development several times, and he is currently sidelined with a left thumb injury. A healthy finish to the season would go a long way toward restoring the momentum he built early in the year.

5. Cam Cannarella

Began season at High-A; currently at Double-A

Cannarella entered professional baseball with more questions than most first-round caliber talents after tearing the labrum in his throwing shoulder. Even while playing through the injury in 2025, he still hit .337 with 11 home runs and remained one of the premier defensive outfielders in the draft, making him one of the biggest value picks when the Marlins selected him in the Competitive Balance Round A.

His first full professional season has exceeded even the organization's expectations. After dominating High-A Beloit with a .394 average over 19 games, Cannarella earned a promotion to Pensacola and has somehow been even better. Through 34 games, he is hitting .344 with nine home runs, 23 RBIs, and 23 walks compared to just 20 strikeouts.

Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the power. Cannarella launched eight home runs during a 13-game stretch and recently told Isaac Azout and Alex Carver on Fish Unfiltered that his shoulder is nearly back to full strength. Combined with his elite defense, the unexpected power surge has only strengthened the belief that he could be the Marlins' long-term answer in center field.

6. Karson Milbrandt

Began season at Double-A; currently at Triple-A

Milbrandt entered the season with plenty of momentum after a strong finish to 2025 and an outstanding Arizona Fall League, where he struck out 23 batters in just 13 ⅓ innings. He carried that success into Spring Breakout, punching out six hitters over three dominant innings, and continued to establish himself as one of the fastest-rising arms in the organization.

He opened the year in Double-A Pensacola and was nearly untouchable, posting a 1.34 ERA while striking out 70 batters in 47 innings. During one stretch, Milbrandt threw 27 consecutive scoreless innings before earning a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville.

The jump to Triple-A has presented a new challenge. While he has shown flashes of the same dominance, his command has not been as sharp as it was in Pensacola. Even so, the stuff continues to play at a high level, and if he settles in during the second half, Milbrandt has positioned himself to make his major league debut sooner rather than later.

7. Starlyn Caba

Began season at High-A; currently at High-A

Caba's season has been one of the tougher evaluations in the system. After spending all of last year in Jupiter, he returned to High-A Beloit looking to take another step forward, but injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from finding much rhythm.

Despite spending time on the injured list twice, there have still been encouraging signs. Caba has already established career highs in doubles and home runs while posting an OPS nearly 160 points higher than last season. His plate discipline has also improved, as he has already surpassed last year's walk total and is drawing walks at the second-best rate of his professional career.

The downside has been the strikeouts, which have climbed to a career high. Finding more consistency will be the biggest objective after the All-Star break because the overall offensive improvements suggest there is still plenty to be encouraged by.

8. Kevin Defrank

Began season in FCL; currently in FCL (injured list)

Few pitchers in the organization possess the raw upside of Defrank. Seeing a 16-year-old consistently reach triple digits is rare, and after turning heads last season, there was plenty of excitement surrounding his expected stateside debut as a 17-year-old.

Unfortunately, injuries have kept that from becoming a reality. Defrank was placed on the 60-day injured list in May with a right biceps injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Although the lost development time is disappointing, there is no reason to rush his timeline. At just 17 years old, Defrank remains one of the highest-upside arms in the organization, and the focus now shifts toward returning healthy for next season.

9. Kemp Alderman

Began season at Triple-A; currently at Triple-A

Alderman has done exactly what the Marlins hoped after his breakout 2025 campaign. Following a season in which he hit .285 with 22 home runs and 22 stolen bases across two levels, he has continued producing against Triple-A pitching.

Despite missing roughly a month with an elbow injury, Alderman is hitting .297 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. Projected over a full 550 at-bat season, his current pace would put him around the 33-home run mark, reinforcing the middle-of-the-order power that has become his calling card.

Kemp Alderman again. 🚀

110.8 mph exit velo, 421 feet.

His seventh home run. He has homers in back-to-back games and three in his last eight games. Hitting .341 in May.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/IuBg7OlmoG

— Fish On First Prospects (@FOFProspects) May 13, 2026

The biggest storyline surrounding Alderman may ultimately have nothing to do with his performance. With the trade deadline approaching, his name has surfaced in speculation as a potential trade chip. Whether he finishes the season in the Marlins organization or elsewhere, he has only increased his value during the first half.

10. Luis Cova

Began season in FCL; currently at Low-A

Cova has continued building on the breakout season he enjoyed in the Dominican Summer League, where he hit .299 with nine home runs and 35 stolen bases. He opened this year in the Florida Complex League and wasted little time proving he was ready for a new challenge, batting .288 over 19 games with two home runs, 14 stolen bases, and nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (14).

That performance earned him a promotion to Low-A Jupiter, which has taken a toll on his effectiveness at the plate. Through his first 30 games, Cova is hitting .219 with 30 strikeouts, but the underlying approach remains encouraging. He has already drawn 24 walks while adding another 10 stolen bases, bringing his professional total to 95.

The plate discipline has translated well despite the jump in competition. Now it becomes a matter of making more consistent quality contact. Given his speed, pitchers will eventually be forced to challenge him in the strike zone, creating more opportunities for Cova to impact games offensively.

11. Dillon Head

Began season at High-A; currently at High-A

Head's season has been a tale of two halves. After struggling through the opening month and spending time on the injured list, he has turned into one of the hottest hitters in all of Minor League Baseball. Along with Cam Cannarella, the Marlins may have two of the hottest bats in the minors.

Over his last 26 games, Head is hitting .361 while recording a hit in 21 of those contests. July has been especially impressive, as he has already put together three three-hit games and one four-hit performance. Even after missing time earlier in the season, Head has stolen 30 bases, continuing to showcase the elite speed that has always made him such an intriguing prospect.

The slow start is quickly becoming an afterthought. If he can sustain this level of production throughout the second half, Head will continue climbing back toward the top tier of the Marlins' prospect rankings.

12. Fenwick Trimble

Began season at Double-A; currently at Double-A

Trimble's first half has featured two completely different stretches. After a slow start in Pensacola, he caught fire in late April and became one of the Southern League's most productive hitters over the next two months.

From April 25 through June 30, Trimble hit .312 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs, producing the best offensive stretch of his professional career. Since the calendar flipped to July, however, he has cooled off considerably, batting .171 over his first 10 games despite leaving the yard twice.

While the strikeout rate has increased and the walks have declined compared to last season, the overall power production has continued to trend in the right direction. Trimble has already established a new career high with 33 extra-base hits despite receiving fewer at-bats than he did all of last year.

13. Brendan Jones

Began season at Double-A; currently at Double-A

Jones has quietly put together a solid first season in the Marlins organization after arriving alongside Dillon Lewis in the offseason. Through 64 games with Pensacola, he is hitting .220 with eight home runs, six triples, 25 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases while continuing to impact games with his speed.

The batting average doesn't tell the full story. Jones owns a career-low .265 BABIP despite striking the ball well at times, suggesting he has been on the wrong side of some batted-ball luck. He is also striking out at a 27% clip, an area that could use some improvement during the second half.

Defensively, Jones has seen increased time in left and right field following Cannarella's emergence in center. That versatility only adds to his value as he continues adjusting to a new organization.

14. Eliazar Dishmey

Began season at High-A; currently at Double-A

Dishmey continues to establish himself as one of the most underrated pitchers in the Marlins system. After posting a 2.90 ERA across two levels last season, he returned to High-A Beloit and immediately earned another promotion by recording a 2.14 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 33 ⅔ innings.

The move to Pensacola has come with a learning curve, but the overall results remain encouraging. Through 36 ⅔ innings, Dishmey owns a 3.93 ERA with 44 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .164 batting average.

The only noticeable difference has been the command. Dishmey has walked 18 batters since arriving in Double-A, but his ability to miss bats and suppress quality contact has remained intact. If he can sharpen the command over the final two months, another jump in his prospect stock could be on the horizon.

15. Andrew Salas

Began season at Low-A; currently in FCL

Salas' second full professional season has been anything but ordinary. After struggling to find consistency in Jupiter, where he hit .170 over 43 games, he was reassigned to the Florida Complex League and has completely changed the outlook of his season.

In 23 FCL games, Salas is hitting .264 with seven home runs, showcasing an unexpected power surge that has become one of the biggest surprises in the organization this year.

The strikeouts remain the biggest hurdle. Between both levels, Salas is striking out at a 30% clip, leaving plenty of room for improvement as he continues to mature offensively. Still, he will not turn 19 until next March, and the emergence of legitimate game power gives the Marlins plenty to be excited about heading into the second half.

16. Santiago Solarte

Began season in DSL; currently in DSL

Solarte has wasted little time showing why he was the Marlins' top international signing in this year's class. Through his first 29 professional games, he is hitting .281 with five home runs, 24 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases, making an immediate impact in nearly every facet of the game.

The strikeouts have been higher than the Marlins would like, but when Solarte puts the ball in play, the ball jumps off his bat. His combination of power and speed has been evident throughout the first half and has only reinforced why the organization invested so heavily in him.

There is still room for growth defensively, but that's to be expected from a player who won't turn 18 until November. Considering his age and tools, the Marlins couldn't have asked for a much better introduction to professional baseball.

17. Luis Arana

Began season in FCL; currently at Low-A

Arana continued building on his breakout 2025 campaign after hitting .297 in the Dominican Summer League while drawing 30 walks compared to just 18 strikeouts. He carried that disciplined approach into the Florida Complex League, batting .389 over 17 games with nine walks and only six strikeouts.

That performance quickly earned him a promotion to Low-A Jupiter, where full-season pitching has provided a much tougher test. Through 31 games, Arana is hitting .250 while his strikeout total has climbed to 30 in 116 at-bats.

Even with the adjustment period, there is little reason to overreact. Arana has already proven he can make changes at every stop of his professional career, and as he settles into Jupiter, expect the disciplined approach that carried him through the DSL and FCL to become more consistent again.

18. Christian Hernández

Began season at Double-A; currently at Double-A

Hernández entered the organization this offseason as part of the trade that sent Edward Cabrera to the Cubs, and after a slow start, he has steadily become one of the hottest hitters in the Marlins system.

Following a difficult April in which he hit just .164, Hernández has responded by hitting .306 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs since May 2. Those eight home runs have already established a new career high, highlighting the power that has emerged during his turnaround.

The strikeout rate remains elevated at 28%, but putting together three straight productive months is an encouraging sign. If he maintains that momentum into the second half, Hernandez could continue climbing the organizational rankings.

19. Brandon Compton

Began season at High-A; currently at Double-A

Few hitters in the organization possess the raw power that Compton brings to the plate, and he has done plenty to reinforce that reputation during the first half.

After a slow start through April and May, Compton caught fire in June, hitting .318 with 10 home runs, including one in his Double-A debut. The promotion to Pensacola has done nothing to cool him off. Through his first 11 games, he is hitting .349 with six home runs and 12 RBIs, continuing to punish opposing pitching.

Just as encouraging as the power has been his approach at the plate. Compton is averaging nearly 4.4 pitches per plate appearance, consistently working deep counts while forcing pitchers into mistakes. That combination of patience and power gives him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the system.

20. Brandon White

Began season at Double-A; currently at Triple-A

White has been one of the biggest surprises in the Marlins organization this season. After putting together a solid year in Beloit in 2025, he opened this season in Pensacola and needed just 33 innings to prove he was ready for Triple-A, posting a 3.00 ERA with 39 strikeouts before earning a promotion.

The adjustment to Jacksonville has brought some ups and downs. Through 37 ⅔ innings, White owns a 5.73 ERA, though the underlying numbers paint a more encouraging picture. Across both levels, he has posted a career-best 10.95 K/9 while lowering his walk rate to a career-low 2.17 BB/9.

The long ball has been his biggest issue since reaching Triple-A, but pitchers often need time to adjust after making that jump. As long as White continues attacking the strike zone the way he has throughout the season, the results should continue trending in the right direction.

21. Juan Matheus

Began season at High-A; currently at Double-A

Matheus has been one of the biggest risers in the Marlins system after arriving in the offseason as part of the same trade that brought Dillon Lewis and Brendan Jones to the organization. He opened the year in High-A Beloit and immediately made an impact, hitting .261 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs, and 22 walks compared to 29 strikeouts in 42 games.

That performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Pensacola, where he has looked just as comfortable. Through 40 games, Matheus is hitting .288 with six home runs and 30 RBIs, proving his offensive production has translated against better competition.

The walk rate has dipped since the promotion, but the power has remained while the strikeout rate has stayed nearly identical. Defensively, Matheus has added even more value by appearing at every infield position except first base, giving the Marlins another versatile option as he continues to develop.

22. Keyner Benitez

Began season at Low-A; currently at Low-A (injured list)

Benitez has quietly established himself as one of the most dependable pitchers in the Marlins organization. Since joining the system in 2023, he has compiled a 3.10 ERA over 188 career innings while consistently producing wherever he has been assigned.

That trend continued this season in Jupiter, where he posted a 2.79 ERA across 19 ⅓ innings while holding opponents to a .106 batting average and striking out hitters at an 11.0 K/9 clip.

Unfortunately, his season came to an early end after he was placed on the 60-day injured list with an arm injury. While missing the remainder of the year is a disappointing setback, Benitez has built a track record of consistent production that should keep him firmly on the organization's radar once he returns.

23. Josh Ekness

Began season at Triple-A; currently in major leagues (injured list)

Ekness has long been regarded as one of the best relief prospects in the Marlins system because of his ability to miss bats. After posting a 1.91 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 66 innings during 2024, he followed it up with another productive season in Double-A before earning his first extended opportunity in Triple-A.

Through 16 ⅓ innings with Jacksonville this season, Ekness recorded a 4.41 ERA, but the strikeout numbers continued to stand out with 29 punchouts. His ability to generate swings and misses ultimately earned him his first major league call-up.

Ekness appeared in six games for Miami before suffering a right calf strain that landed him on the 60-day injured list. Once healthy, he should continue competing for a permanent role in the Marlins' bullpen.

24. Nate Payne

Began season at Low-A; currently at High-A

Payne continues to look like one of the biggest steals from the 2024 MLB Draft. Selected in the 18th round, he has consistently outperformed expectations and has emerged as one of the more underrated pitching prospects in the organization.

Through 74 ⅔ innings this season, Payne has struck out 102 batters, good for a 12.29 K/9. That ability to generate swings and misses has carried over throughout his professional career, as he owns an even 12.0 K/9 across 131 innings.

The development has gone beyond just strikeouts. Payne has lowered his walk rate by nearly two batters per nine innings compared to last season, while a .329 BABIP suggests he has also dealt with some poor fortune on balls in play. At just 20 years old, his first half has only strengthened the case that he deserves far more attention.

25. Josh White

Began season at Triple-A; currently at Triple-A

White followed one of the most dominant relief seasons in recent minor league history by proving he was ready for the next challenge. After posting a 1.86 ERA with 107 strikeouts over 67 ⅔ innings in 2025, he opened this season in Triple-A Jacksonville and continued to produce.

Across 41 innings, White owns a 2.20 ERA with 48 strikeouts, earning his first promotion to the major leagues. He made his debut on May 31, though his first taste of the big leagues proved challenging as he allowed five earned runs while walking four batters.

Despite the rocky debut, White has consistently shown he can dominate minor league hitters. The track record speaks for itself, and it would not be surprising to see him become a valuable piece of the Marlins' bullpen before long.

26. Edgardo De Leon

Began season FCL; currently at Low-A

De Leon was the final piece the Marlins acquired from the Cubs during the offseason, and his first half has been defined by two very different stops. He opened the season in the Florida Complex League and was one of the league's most productive hitters. Had he accumulated enough plate appearances to qualify, he would have been among the league leaders in batting average after hitting .351 with four home runs, 20 RBIs, and 15 walks compared to just 14 strikeouts in 22 games.

That performance earned him a promotion to Low-A Jupiter, where the adjustment has been much tougher. Through 23 games, De Leon is hitting .167 while striking out in more than one-third of his plate appearances.

The offensive tools that stood out in the FCL are still there. The second half will be about making the adjustments necessary to translate that success against full-season pitching.

27. Luis Leon

Began season FCL; currently at Low-A

Leon has already shown significant growth since beginning his professional career. After hitting just .110 over 24 games in the Florida Complex League last season while striking out in 56% of his plate appearances, he returned to the level this year looking like a much different player.

In 34 games, Leon hit .248 with three home runs, 17 RBIs, and 19 stolen bases before earning a promotion to Jupiter. His first taste of full-season baseball has been more challenging, as he is hitting .209 through 13 games while striking out at a 40% clip.

The sample size in Jupiter remains small, so there is no reason to draw major conclusions yet. The focus for the remainder of the season will simply be cutting down the strikeouts and allowing his elite speed to impact games more consistently.

28. Emilio Barreras

Began season at Low-A; currently at High-A

Barreras entered professional baseball with the reputation of being one of the best contact hitters in the 2025 draft, and he has largely lived up to that billing during his first professional season.

He opened the year in Jupiter and hit .317 over 37 games while drawing 25 walks compared to just 15 strikeouts, displaying the disciplined approach that made him such an attractive draft pick. That success earned him a promotion to High-A Beloit, where some regression was expected after posting a .346 BABIP at the previous level.

Even with the tougher competition, Barreras has continued to put the ball in play at an impressive rate. While the walks have dipped, the strikeout rate has remained under control. If those contact skills continue to translate, Barreras has a chance to become one of the fastest-rising position players in the organization.

29. Aiden May

Began season at High-A; currently at High-A

May entered the season with one primary objective after undergoing an elbow procedure last year: stay healthy. Through the first half, he has accomplished exactly that while continuing to develop in High-A Beloit.

Across 53 innings, May owns a 4.25 ERA. Although his strikeout numbers have declined from last season, so have the walks, as he has relied more on generating weak contact than overpowering hitters.

Regardless of the statistics, simply remaining healthy has been the biggest victory. There has been no indication whether the Marlins will place him on an innings limit during the second half, but if he continues performing the way he has, a promotion to Pensacola appears well within reach.

30. Noble Meyer

Began season at High-A; currently at High-A (injured list)

Few first-round picks from the 2023 draft have endured a tougher start to their professional careers than Meyer. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his development, making it difficult for him to build any momentum on the mound.

That trend has unfortunately continued this season. Meyer has been limited to just three rehab appearances, totaling four innings while issuing eight walks. The lack of innings makes it nearly impossible to evaluate where his development currently stands.

At 21 years old, however, there is still time for Meyer to get back on track. He has already shown the ability to reach the upper 90s with his fastball when healthy. For the remainder of the season, simply staying on the field and building momentum would represent a meaningful step forward.

With the 2026 MLB Draft now complete, another wave of talent has entered the organization, adding to an already deep farm system. As the second half gets underway, promotions, continued development, and the integration of this year's draft class will provide an even clearer picture of the future in Miami.

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!