Here are the rising stars who could shape Miami's future

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola's Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Marlins’ farm system looks quite different than it did a year ago.

Seventeen prospects joined MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list via a combination of trades, July’s MLB Draft and the international signing period. At the same time, some homegrown products offered reminders not to forget about them with strong performances.

Let’s take a look back at 2024 while also predicting what ’25 might have in store.

3 players who forced their way onto the radar

INF Jared Serna (Marlins' No. 10 prospect)

Catcher/first baseman Agustin Ramirez (Marlins' No. 3 prospect, No. 96 overall) and first baseman/third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos (Marlins' No. 4 prospect) might’ve been the big fish of the Trade Deadline haul, but Serna boosted his stock once joining the organization.

Director of player development Rachel Balkovec, who knew Serna from their time in the Yankees’ system, called him an “absolute firecracker” who continues to “beat the odds.”

Serna, 22, collected 15 extra-base hits in 39 games at Double-A Pensacola before earning a promotion with six games left of Triple-A Jacksonville’s season. The Marlins hope Serna can not only stick at short but also mature physically, like the next standout with a similar build (5-foot-7, 168 pounds).

UTIL Javier Sanoja (Marlins' No. 13 prospect)

Sanoja deservingly garnered Player of the Year and Triple-A MVP honors during his age-21 season. After just a 15-game stint at Double-A, Sanoja hit .291/.354/.431 in 111 contests for the Jumbo Shrimp before appearing in 15 games for the Marlins to close out the season.

With a 60-grade hit tool on the 20-80 scouting scale, Sanoja walked more than he struck out with Jacksonville. Sanoja later showcased his versatility by playing shortstop, second base, center field and left field during his brief stint in Miami.

C Joe Mack (Marlins' No. 9 prospect)

The 31st overall pick of the 2021 MLB Draft had something to prove after an injury-impacted ’22 season (just 44 games) and a lackluster ’23 (.582 OPS). Miami promoted Mack early on like it did with Sanoja, and he made the most of the opportunity by posting a .778 OPS en route to Double-A MVP honors.

Mack, who turns 22 on Dec. 27, will likely start 2025 at Triple-A. He is Miami’s second-highest-ranked catcher behind Ramirez. Balkovec was impressed by Mack’s maturity and work ethic to go along with his toolset.

2 breakout players to watch in 2025

LHP Robby Snelling (Marlins' No. 5 prospect)

Once the Marlins acquired Snelling as the centerpiece of the blockbuster Tanner Scott/Bryan Hoeing trade with the Padres, he reversed his fortune (a 6.01 ERA to 4.00 at Double-A) and ended his age-20 season with a strong start at Triple-A Jacksonville (6 IP, 1 ER).

“From talking to our group, he's an absolute bulldog, and he wants the ball, wants to pitch, and has an exciting arsenal to go along with it as well,” director of Minor League operations Hector Crespo said.

Snelling isn’t on the 40-man roster, but he could force the issue to debut sooner rather than later in 2025 if he continues to deal and Miami sustains starting-pitching injuries.

OF Kemp Alderman (Marlins' No. 12 prospect)

A broken hamate bone limited the 22-year-old Alderman to just 320 plate appearances across four levels in 2024, so the Marlins sent him to the Arizona Fall League to make up at-bats. In the early going, he has shown off his 60-grade power.

Pull-happy during his first taste of professional ball in 2023, Alderman’s first two AFL homers were opposite-field shots with elite exit velocities of 109.9 mph and 105.4, respectively.

1 big prospect question for next season

With players like De Los Santos, Ramirez and Snelling knocking on the door, how soon will they reach the Majors?

Expect to see them at big league camp in February, though their arrival during the regular season depends on their performance and what Miami’s roster looks like.

De Los Santos, 21, played 99 games at the Triple-A level and led all Minor Leaguers with 40 homers in 2024, but Jake Burger and Jonah Bride are blocking him at first base and designated hitter, and Connor Norby is doing the same at third base.

The 23-year-old Ramirez is one of three catchers on the Marlins’ 40-man roster. Nick Fortes is the primary backstop and Jhonny Pereda is the 28-year-old rookie who played once a week as the season wound down. Though Ramirez is a hit-first catcher/first base/DH, Balkovec said he has elevated his catching game.

Miami would want Ramirez to get consistent at-bats, meaning he would need to receive the bulk of the club’s catching reps or see time at all three of those positions.