We move to the NL East, as we recap some of the things that happened in the Minor League systems of the five teams in the division. Including, the deep crop of Marlins pitchers that only seems to get deeper by the minute.
Braves
We’ve yet to see Briggs McKenzie pitch in full-season ball, even though that time is coming up very soon. McKenzie, who was given a hefty bonus out of high school last year, posted a sub-1.00 ERA across three starts with the FCL in May.
The Braves promoted McKenzie to Low-A Augusta on June 2.
McKenzie is one of several lofty, notable pitchers in that Braves’ farm system. JR Ritchie was and is one, and the righty made his MLB debut earlier this season. Owen Murphy is up with Triple-A Gwinnett, and while he’s been prone to giving up the home run ball, he does have 31 strikeouts over 31 innings.
Moving on to the hitters, Tate Southisene had himself a great May. The Braves’ 2025 first-rounder picked up 30 hits and 16 stolen bases with Low-A Augusta last month, and 10 of those hits went for extras.
Jim Jarvis, a contact machine, made his MLB debut earlier this season with Atlanta.
Marlins
Before moving on to the Marlins, just take a look at this chart from April:
Yes, Seth Hernandez is on top. But four Marlins pitchers were among the top five of the Florida State League in swing-and-miss from April, including Nate Payne.
Payne, an 18th-round pick by the Marlins two years ago out of high school in Pennsylvania, blew through the FSL in April before he was promoted to Beloit. And in May, the lefty finished with the most strikeouts in the Midwest League (36), one more than teammate Liomar Martinez.
Aiva Arquette was promoted to Double-A Pensacola in late May, as the 2025 first-rounder hit well in High-A after he missed most of April.
Matthew Etzel had a very good May, one that saw the noted speedster hit six home runs and post a .390 on-base percentage for Triple-A Jacksonsville.
Karson Milbrandt, who’s been arrow up since last season, struck out 47 over 28.2 IP with Pensacola last month and posted a sub-1.00 ERA. If you didn’t know about Milbrandt now, learn the name.
Mets
Some good, some bad out of the Mets’ farm system.
The good is that the farm has produced Major League talent, as A.J. Ewing & Carson Benge are likely in Queens to stay. Another is just how polished 18-year-old Elian Pena has been in full-season ball. Pena, across his first 48 games, had a .401 on-base percentage in St. Lucie, and among position player prospects in the system, Pena may just be the new #1.
We’ve also seen some pop but also some swing-and-miss from 2025 first-rounder Mitch Voit. Voit is currently batting below .200 at home with Brooklyn, well-known for being an unfriendlier hitting environment.
Antonio Jimenez and Simon Juan both have had stints on the development list this season.
Nationals
The Nationals’ interim regime took Eli Willits first overall last July, a move that’s proven to be wise.
Willits slashed .342/.457/.526 in Low-A, along with nine extra-base hits, 10 stolen bases, and 26 total hits across 19 May games. An elite contact hitter with speed, Willits has the potential to be special.
The thing is, Willits is far from the only Nationals infielder with helium. Devin Fitz-Gerald had a monstrous May, as he hit nine home runs in May with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. First baseman Ethan Petry had six for Wilmington, and Ronny Cruz has hit for pop, although he was one of the most aggressive hitters in High-A last month.
Also, a new approach from Seaver King has him on the cusp of Major League action.
Lastly, Miguel Sime Jr. is one of the most prolific power arms in the Nationals’ system. Sure, he walked nearly a batter per inning with Low-A Fredericksburg before his promotion to Wilmington. But my goodness, the stuff, highlighted by a blistering fastball, is something else.
Phillies
Speaking of helium, how about Mavis Graves?
Graves is walking fewer batters, striking out more hitters, and has been one of the most productive pitchers in the Phillies’ farm system this season. It also comes at a pivotal time for the 6’6” left-hander, as Graves is Rule 5-eligible this coming winter.
Another great story was Felix Reyes, who was a highly productive hitter in Double-A last season. Six home runs in 12 games with Triple-A last month for the big boy who made his MLB debut earlier this season.
One other name to watch: Robert Phelps. The 20-year-old infielder hit 13 extra-base hits in his first 41 contests with Clearwater this season. And, more walks (31) than strikeouts (30).
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