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MLB Rumors: 10 prospects who should start the season in the big leagues

By Joshua Sadlock

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) at bat during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 02: Atlanta Braves center fielder Ronald Acuna (82) at bat during the MLB Spring training game between the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees on March 02, 2018 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by /Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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JUPITER, FL – MARCH 10: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins in action during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 7-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL – MARCH 10: Lewis Brinson #9 of the Miami Marlins in action during a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Cardinals 7-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

5. Lewis Brinson

The majority of the prospects coming back to the Miami Marlins after dealing away their entire outfield core of Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna are still a few years away from making an impact in the big leagues. That’s perfectly acceptable for a franchise that is stripping it down to bare bones. The Marlins need to scratch as many lottery tickets as possible, and it makes sense to look for as much upside as possible when making these trades.

The Marlins do need to throw their fans a few crumbs to keep them at least semi-interested this year. Center fielder Lewis Brinson came over in the Yelich trade, and he is ready for an extended run at the MLB level after debuting last year.

Brinson, who has already been traded twice since the Texas Rangers drafted him in the first round all the way back in 2012, struggled in his 21 games with the Milwaukee Brewers last year. The 21-year-old hit just .106/.236/.277 with 17 strikeouts in only 47 at-bats. Brinson did hit .331/.400/.562 in 76 games in the hitter-friendly International League with 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 76 games.

Speed and power are Brinson’s game, and he has been one of the most athletic players in the minor leagues since he was drafted. He has good instincts on the bases and is rarely caught when he takes off running. Brinson will only reach his ceiling as an easy 20-20 threat if he is able to continue improving his approach at the plate and cuts down his strikeouts. He will get his chance at an extended run with the Marlins this year.

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