Marlins Top Pick Could Reach The Majors Soon

June 8, 200422 yr

Marlins draft junior left-hander from Alabama

By Mike Berardino

Staff Writer

Posted June 8 2004

Taylor Tankersley wasn't the easiest pitcher to scout.

For most series this year involving the University of Alabama, the junior left-hander would spend the first two games in the bullpen. If he didn't pitch in relief, he would then start the series finale.

"A lot of people didn't get as good a look at him as you needed," said Jim Fleming, Marlins assistant general manager for scouting and player development. "We worked real hard to get lots of looks. This guy is a bulldog."

The same versatility that made Tankersley, 21, somewhat mysterious on draft day could smooth his path to the majors. Drafted 27th overall Monday by the relief-starved Marlins, Tankersley could follow the quick-rising example of 2003 draftees Chad Cordero (Expos), Ryan Wagner (Reds) and David Aardsma (Giants).

All were highly developed college pitchers who quickly made the jump to big-league bullpens.

"I see myself as a starter long-term at the major league level, but the quicker road to the major leagues might be as a reliever," Tankersley said. "I'm open to doing either one. I'm comfortable in both roles. I enjoy both roles. I feel like I'm close."

With a fastball that sits at 88-92 mph and a power slider, Tankersley is still trying to master a changeup. He posted a 2.00 ERA in 672/3 innings with the Crimson Tide as a junior, becoming the highest-drafted pitcher from the school since Ken Stabler went to the Yankees in the 10th round in 1966.

Tankersley, who is 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds, often throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, which makes him particularly tough on left-handed batters. He sounded eager to get started, saying the matter of a signing bonus is a "minor detail" in the process.

Veteran agent Tommy Tanzer will serve as his adviser. The last three players to sign out of the No. 27 slot averaged a $1.3 million bonus.

"I think the Marlins liked my versatility in being able to handle both roles," Tankersley said. "I'll do whatever they tell me to do and move up as quickly as I can and as quickly as they're comfortable."

Marlins scouting director Stan Meek said Tankersley's production will dictate how quickly he moves up.

"He's a tough kid, a college kid," Meek said. "We feel good about him and his makeup and his ability to pitch. That should make it possible for him to move pretty fast."

Tankersley's strong junior year followed a sophomore season in which he was plagued by a cyst on his left wrist. He had surgery to shave it down last summer and has had no recurrences of the problem.

He's also made some mechanical adjustments to his delivery that kept him from falling off toward third base. More importantly, Tankersley said, was the mental adjustment he made.

"I had tried to maybe be something I wasn't, tried to fine-tune everything and nip away at the corners," he said. "This year I made up my mind to go back to the way I threw my freshman year: be aggressive, go right after hitters, challenge them in any count, throw a lot more strikes. I fell back into my niche."

The Marlins have taken a pitcher from a four-year college with their top pick just one other time in their 13-year draft history. They selected Florida right-hander Marc Valdes in 1993.

In the second round, the Marlins took Long Beach State lefty Jason Vargas with the 68th overall pick. Vargas, who attended three schools in three years, tops out at 95 mph. His uncle is former major league infielder Randy Velarde.

A pair of speedy high school center fielders fell to the Marlins in the third and fourth rounds, respectively: Greg Burns of West Covina, Calif., and Jamar Walton of Emporia, Va.

The Marlins took Long Beach catcher Greg Davis in the fifth round. Meek was impressed with the way Davis handled a staff that included both Vargas and right-hander Jered Weaver, who went 12th overall to the Anaheim Angels.

Lets just hope they dont rush him to quickly before hes ready.

It would be nice to see a 1st round pick early instead of waiting so many seasons tho.

Article

Quote