The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Miami Marlins hosted its annual Fanfest on Saturday at Marlins Park to give fans their first opportunity to see and interact with the 2020 roster which now includes Jazz Chisholm.

Chisholm’s appearance on the Big O Show with Orlando Alzugaray Jr at Fanfest endeared him as an early fan favourite as he discussed his connection with the city of Miami and his lofty expectations for the franchise in the near future.

Last season, Chisholm was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to Miami for starting pitcher Zac Gallen and became the Marlins’ No.4 prospect.

“It says to me that they actually wanted me here. I feel really grateful that they want me to be a part of this group that’s coming up because it’s a really good group right now, I can see it and I’m watching it,” Chisholm said. “Now that I’m here I can see it coming, I’m telling you now, the Marlins are going to win a championship in 2-3 years.”

Chisholm said he looks forward to the opportunity to make his Major League Baseball debut so close to the Bahamas and looks to fill whatever role the organisation asks of him.

“I wouldn’t say I feel more pressure, I feel more at home when I come to Miami. This is my type of culture, my type of vibe, so anytime I think of home, I also think of Miami.

“When I came here it was all happiness to me,” he said. “I just want to come up and help the team win, that’s all I want to do is win. I’m a big competitor, all I think about is winning, If I could come up and make a big defensive play and help the team win I’m good with that.”

The afternoon began with Marlins CEO and part-owner Derek Jeter’s “State of the Marlins” address. Players to attend included the Marlins 40-man roster and several top prospects from the minor leagues.

FanFest featured player interaction in live interviews, batting cage experiences and board games with players, behind the scenes access to Miami’s Clubhouse and Dugout, photo opportunities with the 1997 and 2003 World Series Trophies and many amenities Marlins Park plans to offer for the upcoming season.

Chisholm also told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he has sought out Jeter’s counsel on a weekly basis.

Chisholm, a rising shortstop in the organisation, looks to the newly minted Hall of Fame shortstop and New York Yankee icon career path for guidance and advice.

“Ever since Kobe [Bryant] died, I started leaning on Jeter for help. I told him I don’t want you to tell me what I want to hear, I want you to tell me what I need to hear. He’s been leading me down the right path and I can’t thank him enough. I talk more about life stuff [with Jeter]. It’s about how to live the right way, carry myself and how to become a Hall of Famer. I want him to teach me the ways to become a Hall of Famer,” Chisholm said. “I usually call him in the office. He’ll answer or I’ll leave a message and he’ll get back to me. I call the office and say ‘Can you direct me to Mr Jeter please. I got to ask him a question.’ And they’ll be like ‘what’s the question?’ [And Chisholm will say] ‘only he can answer this question.’”

Chisholm was listed at No.66 overall among the top 100 Prospects when MLB Pipeline unveiled its first rankings for the upcoming 2020 season.

In the off-season, he was named to the Marlins’ 40 man roster, protecting him from the MLB’s Rule 5 Draft. He also competed for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

“Chisholm has more power than most shortstops because he has explosive bat speed and natural loft in his left-handed swing,” his MLB prospect analysis said.

“A potential 20-20 player, Chisholm has solid speed and is an efficient base stealer. He has all the tools necessary to stay at shortstop, as his actions, range, hands and arm all grade as at least above average. While there’s currently a large gap between his floor and ceiling, his game and early Minor League career are reminiscent of Javier Baez’s.”

Last season, Chisholm was named the top defensive shortstop in the Double-A Southwest League and his advancement to Double-A baseball produced a Southern League All-Star selection after he led all the league’s shortstops with 21 home runs and 173 total bases.

In 112 Southern League games last season with Jackson Generals and eventually with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, Chisholm batted .220 with a .321 OBP, a .441 slugging percentage with 10 doubles, seven triples, 21 home runs, 54 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He finished in a tie for second in the in home runs and fourth in triples.

Following the trade from the Diamondbacks to the Marlins organisation, in 23 games with the Jumbo Shrimp, Chisholm hit .284 with a .383 OBP and a .494 slugging percentage with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases.