Bradenton Marauders 2024 break camp roster: Players to watch
Players to keep an eye on that broke camp with the Marauders.
We’ve already looked at some players to watch at the Double and High-A levels, looking past some higher-profile prospects. Today, we will wrap things up with a look at the Single-A Bradenton Marauders.
With games starting almost a week ago now, we’ve already seen most of these players in action at least once.
Some names are familiar, as the Marauders have a few names repeating the Single-A level in 2024. I talked about a few players who could be making the jump to full-season ball this year after playing in the Complex in 2023, so here are another three to watch in Bradenton this year.
Braylon Bishop
The forgotten guy from the 2021 prep draft class for the Pirates, Bishop, was a 14th-round pick who signed an over-slot deal to forgo his commitment to Arkansas and go pro.
He’s spent parts of three years in the Complex (including his draft year) and hasn’t done much to stand out in that time.
Bishop began the 2023 season with Bradenton but was sent back to the Complex after going 3-27 (all singles) and striking out 39.4% of the time.
This year would have been his draft year if he had gone to school, so things are far from over for Bishop, but he will be one to watch to see if he can take a step forward.
Jesus Castillo
There were four teenagers who drew at least 100 walks last year - Jackson Holliday, Jett Williams, Termarr Johnson, and Jesus Castillo.
The first three names are more well-known, with Castillo as an ‘outlier.’
He had one of the best approaches at the plate last year when it came to drawing walks (102:95 BB:K) and chase rates (18.2%); he just never hit the ball with authority (80.2 MPH AVG EV).
If Castillo can make more solid contact without sacrificing so much of his presence at the plate, adding in his speed (39 stolen bases in 2023), he has the makings of being one of the best pure lead-off hitters in the system.
Garret Forrester
The biggest thing to watch for Forrester is how often he shifts behind the plate, as it appears he will get some time as a catcher. Opening weekend for Bradenton, he played all three games at third base, but the Marauders only carry three true catchers (most affiliates carry three), leaving the door open for him.
Forrester's approach could push him towards triple-digits when it comes to walks, but we haven’t seen him swing the bat much at the professional level due to the patient approach.
MLB Pipeline liked him as a breakout guy at first base, a move to catcher could help the bat play up even more, especially if the power is mostly average.
Early returns on this team's hitting are incredibly bad. This team is a product of BC's scouting and development now, and the early grade is F---.
The guy they got for Selby made his Pirate debut today. Six runs in 1.1 IP.