With a 6'5" frame, the Fish's teen sensation is almost certainly destined to play somewhere else on the field... but make no mistake, he's got massive big league talent
When the Miami Marlins signed 17-year-old Venezuelan prospect Santiago Solarte in January, they knew they were acquiring one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2026 international class. What they may not have known was just how quickly he would become one of the organization’s most intriguing talents
Solarte entered professional baseball with an unusual combination of size and athleticism. Listed at 6'5" and a little over 200 pounds, he possesses the kind of physical frame normally associated with a corner position rather than shortstop. Yet his athletic ability has allowed him to handle the middle-infield position while displaying impressive defensive actions and an above-average arm.
The youngster's offensive potential, however, may ultimately determine where he fits into Miami's future.
Solarte's left-handed swing produces exceptional raw power for a player his age. MLB scouting evaluations have highlighted near-top-of-the-scale exit velocities, while Fish On First projected his raw power as potentially plus-plus. Such a large frame naturally raises concerns about maintaining consistent contact as the competition improves.
Solarte by the Numbers
During his first professional season in the Dominican Summer League, Solarte provided plenty of evidence that the power is legitimate. He finished with a .339/.450/.598 slash line, 10 home runs, 42 stolen bases, and a 1.048 OPS in 52 games. He also posted a 149 wRC+ and became the only player on record to produce a 10-homer, 40-steal season in rookie-level baseball.
Those numbers come with an important caveat. Solarte benefited from an unusually high .450 batting average on balls in play, while his 26.3 percent strikeout rate suggests he'll need to adjust as he faces more advanced pitching. His walk rate also suggests that his plate discipline remains a work in progress.
Defensively, the question may eventually become less about whether Solarte can play shortstop and more about whether keeping him there makes the most sense for his long-term development.
He already split time between shortstop and third base during 2026, and his size could eventually make third base or a corner-outfield position a more natural fit. That isn't necessarily a negative development. Instead, it could let the Marlins maximize a rare combination of power, speed, and athleticism.
Solarte is still years away from Miami, with his major-league arrival currently projected around 2031. But after his remarkable introduction to professional baseball, the Marlins have plenty of reason to watch his development closely.
The position may change. However, the intrigue certainly won't.
