DYNASTY BASEBALL: 2026 Miami Marlins Top 20 Fantasy Baseball Prospects

The Miami Marlins are beginning to see the foundation of their long-term vision take shape under President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix and General Manager Gabe Kapler. Since arriving in Miami, Bendix has emphasized building an organization capable of sustaining success rather than relying on short competitive windows, while Kapler’s expanding role has added another experienced voice to a baseball operations group increasingly focused on player development, evaluation, and organizational infrastructure.

DYNASTY BASEBALL: 2026 Miami Marlins Top 20 Fantasy Baseball Prospects

That approach is starting to show throughout the farm system. Miami has aggressively added young talent through the draft, international market, and trades, creating one of the deeper collections of prospects the organization has possessed in recent years. The system has become particularly notable for its combination of high-upside pitching and athletic position players, giving the Marlins multiple avenues for producing future major-league contributors, as you’ll see in the Marlins’ Top 20 fantasy baseball prospects profiled ahead.

The progress is becoming measurable. MLB Pipeline ranked Miami’s farm system 10th in baseball in its August 2026 update, the organization’s first appearance in its top 10 since the 2022 preseason rankings. The Marlins also featured six Top 100 prospects at the time, led by pitchers Thomas White and Robby Snelling and position players Aiva Arquette and Jacob Lombard. Miami’s pitching depth is especially noteworthy, with MLB Pipeline ranking the organization first among baseball’s systems for pitching prospects.

For dynasty fantasy managers, this is becoming an increasingly important organization to follow. Bendix and Kapler are assembling both depth and upside, while the Marlins have demonstrated a willingness to use trades to continually replenish the system. Eleven players on Miami’s updated 2026 Top 30 prospect list were acquired through trades, illustrating how aggressively the front office has used the major-league roster to expand its young talent base.

There is still development risk throughout the system, particularly among the younger hitters and injured arms, but the overall direction is encouraging. Miami now possesses legitimate impact candidates on both sides of the ball, considerable depth behind them, and a leadership group explicitly attempting to create sustainable success rather than a temporary competitive cycle. Bendix and Kapler’s developmental track record in Miami is still being written, but the organization they are constructing has already made the Marlins one of the more interesting systems in baseball for dynasty managers.

So, let’s begin with our countdown of the Marlins’ top 20 prospects.

#20 Jonathon Long | 1B/OF (ETA 2027)

Long joined Miami at the 2026 trade deadline when the Marlins sent Braxton Garrett to the Cubs for Long and right-hander Jace Beck. The former ninth-round pick has developed into a polished right-handed hitter whose bat is carrying him toward the majors.

There is enough contact ability and raw power here to envision Long producing useful batting-average and home-run numbers. The defensive profile is less exciting for fantasy, however, because first base puts considerable pressure on his bat.

Long is one of the safer near-term options on this list but doesn’t possess the ceiling of Miami’s younger prospects. In deeper dynasty leagues, his proximity and chance to become a regular make him an intriguing stash.

#19 Dillon Head | OF (ETA 2027)

Miami acquired Head from San Diego in the May 2024 Luis Arraez trade alongside Jakob Marsee, Nathan Martorella and Woo-Suk Go. His calling card remains electric speed, giving him one of the more obvious fantasy-friendly tools in the organization.

Head can pressure defenses with his legs and has enough bat speed to produce more extra-base impact than his size might suggest. The biggest question is whether his offensive approach develops enough for him to consistently reach base and unleash that speed.

For dynasty managers, this is essentially a bet on athleticism and stolen-base upside. If the hit tool advances, Head could become a valuable speed-first center fielder; if it doesn’t, the fantasy profile becomes much thinner.

#18 Ryan Peterson | RHP (ETA 2028)

Peterson entered the organization as Miami’s third-round selection, No. 71 overall, in the 2026 Draft out of Sam Houston. The 6-foot-3 right-hander brings a starter’s repertoire and enough polish to potentially move more quickly than many pitchers drafted alongside him.

His curveball is the separator, giving Peterson a legitimate bat-missing weapon to complement his fastball. He also throws enough strikes that there’s a believable path toward remaining in a professional rotation rather than eventually shifting to relief.

Pitching prospects always bring considerable dynasty risk, but Peterson offers an appealing combination of strikeouts and command. He’s particularly interesting in deeper formats where young starting pitching can be acquired before a breakout.

#17 Ethan Kleinschmit | LHP (ETA 2028)

Miami selected Kleinschmit out of Oregon State with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 Draft. He gives the organization another talented left-hander with a three-pitch foundation and extensive experience against high-level college competition.

Kleinschmit works with a fastball, slider, and changeup and has shown an ability to fill the strike zone. None needs to become an overwhelming 80-grade offering for the package to work if his command and sequencing continue developing.

The fantasy attraction is a relatively balanced starting-pitcher profile rather than enormous raw upside. Kleinschmit could climb quickly if his stuff translates immediately to pro ball, making him a worthwhile dynasty target before he reaches the upper minors.

#16 Nate Payne | LHP (ETA 2028)

Payne has become one of Miami’s best development stories since the Marlins selected him in the 18th round of the 2024 Draft. The organization took a long-term swing on a projectable high-school lefty, and his stuff has since jumped considerably.

His breaking arsenal can miss bats in bunches, and that was evident in 2026 as Payne piled up strikeouts while advancing to High-A. He combines multiple breaking-ball shapes with enough fastball to keep hitters from sitting on spin.

That’s exactly the profile dynasty managers should monitor closely. There is considerable pitcher risk remaining, but a young left-hander generating this many whiffs can quickly become far more valuable if his command continues trending upward.

#15 Luis Arana | SS/3B (ETA 2030)

Arana signed with Miami during the 2025 international period and has rapidly turned himself into one of the more interesting young hitters in the system. He doesn’t possess imposing size, but his bat-to-ball ability and athleticism give him several paths toward fantasy production.

The speed is particularly enticing. Arana stole 44 bases in 2026 while hitting .278, demonstrating the contact-and-speed combination dynasty managers covet from middle-infield prospects.

Power remains the missing ingredient, so his ultimate fantasy ceiling depends heavily on physical development. Even modest pop alongside his contact skills and stolen-base ability could turn Arana into a sneaky five-category contributor.

#14 Luis Cova | OF (ETA 2029)

Miami made Cova one of the centerpieces of its 2024 international class, signing the Venezuelan outfielder for $1.5 million. After an uneven introduction to professional baseball, his combination of athleticism, speed, and emerging power began showing much more clearly.

Cova has the ingredients fantasy managers love in teenage outfielders: bat speed, running ability and enough physical projection for additional impact. His improved power production after returning to the DSL was an especially encouraging developmental sign.

There’s still significant distance between Cova and Miami, so patience is mandatory. But his potential to contribute both home runs and stolen bases gives him a considerably higher dynasty ceiling than a typical lower-level outfielder.

#13 Santiago Solarte | SS (ETA 2031)

Solarte headlined Miami’s 2026 international class, signing for $1 million out of Venezuela. At roughly 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds before his 18th birthday, he’s an unusually physical young shortstop with massive long-term offensive projection.

Power is the obvious fantasy attraction. Solarte already generates impressive impact from the left side, and additional physical maturation could eventually give him legitimate middle-of-the-order home-run potential.

The risk is equally obvious: players this young are difficult to project, and his long levers could create contact issues as he faces better pitching. Still, dynasty leagues are often won by identifying huge ceilings early, and Solarte certainly possesses one.

#12 Brayden Taylor | 3B/2B (ETA 2027)

Taylor became a Marlin at the 2026 trade deadline when Miami sent Liam Hicks to Tampa Bay for Taylor, Jacob Kisting and Adrian Santana. A former Rays first-round pick, Taylor brings a combination of patience, power, and defensive versatility to his new organization.

His offensive game is built around controlling the strike zone and getting to pull-side power, while enough speed remains to add value on the bases. The ability to handle multiple infield positions should also help create opportunities for his bat.

For dynasty purposes, Taylor isn’t purely a ceiling play anymore—he’s close enough that opportunity matters. A future producing useful homers, steals, and OBP numbers at multiple fantasy positions is very plausible.

#11 Kemp Alderman | OF (ETA 2027)

Miami drafted Alderman 47th overall out of Ole Miss in 2023, betting that his enormous raw power would translate to professional baseball. He’s steadily climbed the system and reached Triple-A, putting him within striking distance of a major-league opportunity.

The appeal isn’t complicated: Alderman can hit the baseball extremely hard and has legitimate 25-plus-homer upside if everything clicks. Surprisingly useful speed has also kept the fantasy profile from becoming entirely one-dimensional.

Strikeouts remain the major concern and could determine whether he’s an everyday player or a power-oriented role bat. Dynasty managers chasing upside should nevertheless pay attention because everyday playing time would make his power immediately relevant.

#10 Karson Milbrandt | RHP (ETA 2027)

Milbrandt has been a Marlin from the beginning, selected out of Liberty High School in the third round of the 2022 Draft. Miami patiently developed his athleticism and velocity, and he has since climbed all the way to Triple-A.

The right-hander can miss bats with a lively arsenal, as demonstrated by 132 strikeouts over 111 1/3 innings in 2026. The problem has been consistency: a 5.42 ERA and 1.54 WHIP illustrate the command and execution risk that remains.

That creates a fascinating dynasty profile. Milbrandt could become a strikeout-heavy midrotation starter if the control sharpens, but the same arsenal could eventually become dangerous in relief if starting doesn’t work out.

#9 Kevin Defrank | RHP (ETA 2030)

Miami signed Defrank during the 2025 international period, landing one of the more intriguing pitching prospects available that year. He quickly exceeded expectations and developed into one of the hardest-throwing teenage arms in the organization.

Defrank’s fastball has reached triple digits, and an advanced changeup gives him something more interesting than pure velocity. At 6-foot-5 with considerable physicality already, he has the ingredients to develop into a genuine power starter.

The dynasty ceiling is enormous, but so is the volatility attached to a teenage pitcher; a 2026 biceps injury adds another layer of risk. In deep leagues, though, this is exactly the type of high-strikeout lottery ticket worth rostering before the price explodes.

#8 Andrew Salas | OF/SS (ETA 2030)

Salas was Miami’s headline signing during the 2025 international period, joining the organization as one of the most highly regarded players in that class. The switch-hitter comes from an accomplished baseball family and was viewed as unusually advanced for his age.

The early numbers have been uneven, including a .200 average in 2026, but Salas still produced nine homers and 14 steals. His combination of youth, athleticism, plate awareness, and positional flexibility leaves plenty of room for a major developmental jump.

Dynasty managers shouldn’t treat the batting average as a finished verdict on an 18-year-old. Salas remains a long-term upside play with the ingredients to eventually contribute across several fantasy categories if the hit tool matures.

#7 Starlyn Caba | SS (ETA 2028)

Caba came to Miami from Philadelphia in the December 2024 Jesús Luzardo trade, with the Marlins also receiving Emaarion Boyd. Caba’s elite defensive reputation may get him to the majors, but his speed and plate discipline are what make him interesting for fantasy.

The switch-hitting shortstop posted a .389 OBP with 21 steals in 2026 despite batting only .236. He rarely needs to become a slugger to have fantasy value because getting on base consistently can allow his legs to do substantial damage.

There is also a little more pop emerging, which changes the equation considerably. If Caba eventually settles into double-digit homers with 25-plus steals and strong on-base percentages, he could be much more valuable in fantasy than his raw power suggests.

#6 Dillon Lewis | OF (ETA 2027)

Lewis arrived from the Yankees in January 2026 as part of Miami’s four-prospect return for Ryan Weathers. Originally a 13th-round pick, Lewis has dramatically outperformed that draft position by developing an intriguing power-speed combination.

In 2026 he produced 18 homers and 20 stolen bases, exactly the statistical profile dynasty managers should notice. There is legitimate impact in the bat, although his aggressive offensive approach creates batting-average and OBP risk.

Lewis doesn’t have the pedigree of several players ahead of him, but fantasy baseball rewards production rather than draft position. Another step forward with his contact skills could make him a legitimate 20-homer, 20-steal major-league threat.

#5 Brandon Compton | OF (ETA 2027)

Miami selected Compton 46th overall in the second round of the 2025 Draft out of Arizona State. Few players in the organization have enhanced their dynasty stock more dramatically since then.

Compton erupted for 36 home runs and 27 stolen bases in 2026, producing a .270 average and .987 OPS while racing through the system. That blend of left-handed power and athleticism gives him one of the most fantasy-friendly offensive profiles in Miami’s farm.

There is still swing-and-miss to monitor, and upper-level pitching will provide the real test. But 30/20-caliber minor-league production cannot be ignored—Compton has transformed himself from an intriguing draft pick into a potential impact dynasty asset.

#4 Jacob Lombard | SS (ETA 2030)

Miami selected Lombard 14th overall in the 2026 Draft after the hometown shortstop from Gulliver Prep remained available longer than expected. The son of former major leaguer George Lombard immediately became one of the highest-upside players in the organization.

At 6-foot-3, Lombard combines physical projection with athleticism, patience, and potentially significant power. He also stole 14 bases during his senior high school season, giving fantasy managers reason to dream about production in all five traditional categories.

He’s years away and carries the inherent risk of any teenage hitter, but that’s almost beside the point in dynasty. Lombard possesses the kind of power-speed ceiling that can eventually turn a prospect into a cornerstone fantasy shortstop.

#3 Cam Cannarella | OF (ETA 2027)

Miami selected Cannarella 43rd overall out of Clemson in the 2025 Draft, and his polished college bat has moved much faster than expected. He reached Triple-A during his first full professional season and immediately put himself near the major-league doorstep.

Cannarella’s 2026 performance was outstanding: .324/.422/.512 with 15 homers and 21 steals. His advanced contact skills are the foundation, while the emergence of more game power has raised his fantasy ceiling substantially.

There may not be one monster carrying tool, but that’s part of Cannarella’s appeal—he can help everywhere. A high-average outfielder producing homers, steals, and strong run totals could become extremely valuable in dynasty leagues, particularly those using OBP.

#2 Thomas White | LHP (ETA 2027)

Miami selected White 35th overall in the 2023 Draft, landing one of the premier high-school left-handers in the class. He subsequently developed into one of baseball’s best pitching prospects and reached Triple-A while still exceptionally young.

White combines a powerful fastball with a devastating slider and quality changeup, giving him three legitimate weapons for missing bats. His minor-league career numbers—307 strikeouts in 214 2/3 innings with a 2.81 ERA—illustrate just how dominant the arsenal can be.

The only reason he isn’t No. 1 here is dynasty’s inherent pitcher risk, amplified by the oblique and shoulder issues that limited him in 2026. If healthy, White has the strikeout arsenal and starter’s repertoire to become a high-end fantasy rotation anchor.

Also, make sure to check out our 2026 MLB organizational Prospect Rankings!

#1 Aiva Arquette | SS (ETA 2028)

Miami used the seventh overall pick in the 2025 Draft on Arquette after his huge season at Oregon State. At 6-foot-5 and roughly 220 pounds, he’s an unusually large shortstop with the offensive upside to become a centerpiece of the Marlins’ lineup.

Arquette’s first full professional season provided a glimpse of that fantasy ceiling: .272 with 12 homers and 21 steals in 268 at-bats while reaching Double-A. There’s substantial raw power in the frame, yet he’s athletic enough to contribute meaningful stolen bases as well.

For dynasty fantasy baseball, that combination gives Arquette the highest offensive ceiling in this Marlins group. If the hit tool holds as the power matures, you’re looking at a potential middle-of-the-order infielder capable of contributing 25-plus homers while adding double-digit steals—the kind of profile worth building around.

Final Thoughts

The Marlins’ farm system has quickly become one of the more compelling groups in dynasty baseball, combining high-end pitching with an increasingly deep collection of athletic, fantasy-friendly hitters. Aiva Arquette, Thomas White and Cam Cannarella headline the system, but the depth behind them—particularly the power-speed upside among Miami’s young position players—may be just as important.

There is plenty of developmental risk, especially with the younger international prospects and pitching, but Miami now offers dynasty managers targets at virtually every level of the minors. If the organization continues developing talent at its current pace, this is a system that should remain highly relevant for fantasy managers well beyond 2026.