Fansided

Each MLB team’s current Hall of Famer

By Benjamin Chase

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MLB Hall of Fame
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 23: The Miami Marlins draft pick Joe Dunand visit Marlins Park for a press conference before the game between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park on June 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins: Joe Dunand

Perhaps it says something about just how thorough the tear down of talent in the Marlin organization was last winter that the person I put here was just drafted last year, but then again, based on what he’s done since being drafted, it’s hard to really put much doubt to Dunand having a career well beyond what most ever believed feasible for him.

Coming into the draft process last season, any write up on the North Carolina State product didn’t mention his impressive play in college first. No, instead, it mentioned his bloodlines, as his uncle is none other than controversial former superstar Alex Rodriguez. Heck, I even did the same when I mentioned Dunand in my 2018 Marlins top 10 prospects write up.

Many assumed Dunand would have to move off of shortstop, likely to 3B, due to his wide-shouldered frame that will likely add more to his current 6’2″, 200-210 pound frame. He gets easy power out of his swing, and he has shown incredible adaptions in his pitch and zone recognition already as a pro.

I mentioned to a friend that Dunand reminded me of another guy who had A-Rod mentioned a lot in his early career, and that’s Manny Machado. I think Dunand is more of a power hitter and less of a batting average hitter, but in the field, there are some definite similarities in that he could be an elite defender at third if he moves there or be a more-than-adequate shortstop due to his instincts and hands.

The Marlins aggressively started him at high-A this season, and he’s started out very, very well for a guy with just 34 plate appearances before this season. He is a likely candidate to end up in AA before the end of June, and if he really shows out there, he could even push for a major league call-up this season, let alone challenge for a major league job in 2019, beginning his march to the MLB Hall of Fame.

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