The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JAZZ Chisholm made his Spring Training debut with the Miami Marlins 40-man roster and showed flashes of why he is listed as one of the franchise's most highly touted prospects.

Chisholm went 2-2 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base in the Marlins' 5-3 win over the New York Mets as they opened play in the Grapefruit League at Clover Park in Port St Lucie, Florida.

Over 1.4 million fans attended games in Florida during the 2019 season and since 2000, over 31 million fans have enjoyed Florida Spring Training Baseball.

Chisholm has continued to make strides for the organisation this season as he progresses toward the major leagues.

He was among the top prospects from each Major League Baseball organisation represented at the Rookie Career Development Program in Miami, Florida.

MLB and the MLB Players Association has hosted the event since 1992.

According to MLP Pipeline, each organisation sends their top prospects expected to reach the big leagues in the near future to sit through sessions aimed at easing their transition. Sessions included ones on media training, clubhouse relationships, drugs in baseball, inclusion and financial planning and others.

He was also present at the Marlins' annual Fanfest which gave fans their first opportunity to interact with the 2020 roster.

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 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."

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 offseason, 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.

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.