December 23, 200421 yr The top Ten prospect list for the fish just came out on Baseball America. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/featu...0s/marlins.html Does anyone has a subscription so we can get the detailed scouting reports posted up here?
December 23, 200421 yr TOP TEN PROSPECTS 1. Jeremy Hermida, of 2. Scott Olsen, lhp 3. Yorman Bazardo, rhp 4. Jason Stokes, 1b 5. Josh Willingham, c/1b 6. Eric Reed, of 7. Taylor Tankersley, lhp 8. Jason Vargas, lhp 9. Robert Andino, ss 10. Trevor Hutchinson, rhp 1. JEREMY HERMIDA Age: 21 Ht: 6-4 Wt: 200 B-T: L-R Drafted: HS--Marietta, Ga., 2002 (1st round) Signed by: Joel Smith Hermida has drawn comparisons to a slew of all-stars Background: As a high school senior, Hermida went from a decent prospect seemingly destined for Clemson to a possible top-three selection. Baseball America rated him the top pure hitter on the prep level and the fourth-best position player overall in the 2002 draft, and the Marlins were extremely pleased when he was still available for them with the No. 11 pick. The Marlins chose him over high school lefthander Scott Kazmir, then gave Hermida a $2.0125 million signing bonus. His father groomed his hitting ability, converting him from a righthanded hitter to a lefty at age 4, having him practice with wood bats starting when he was 13 and hiring former big leaguer Terry Harper as a private instructor. Though Hermida missed nearly five weeks early in 2004 with a pulled right hamstring, he still managed to set career highs in batting average, slugging percentage and homers. He ranks No. 1 on this list for the second straight year, the first Marlin to accomplish that feat since Josh Beckett (2001-02). Strengths: Hermida has a polished hitting approach. He has a smooth, quick stroke, advanced plate discipline for his age, a strong work ethic and good makeup. He's comfortable working deep in counts and projects to have power to all fields. For now, he's mainly content to line singles and doubles to the opposite field. Hermida has drawn comparisons to a slew of all-stars. Some scouts called him the best high school hitter since Eric Chavez, others likened him to Paul O'Neill and Andy Van Slyke, and Hermida saw himself more along the lines of Shawn Green. The Marlins would be happy if he resembles any of those hitters and believe he will. He has slightly above-average speed and even better instincts on the bases. He has 38 steals in 43 tries over the last two seasons and projects to swipe 20 bases a year in the majors. He has average arm strength. Weaknesses: He has come a long way defensively, but Hermida still needs to improve his jumps, routes and the accuracy of his throws in right field. It would help if he showed as much interest in his defense as his hitting. He projects as at least a 25-homer threat in the big leagues, but he has some adjustments to make first. He'll have to add lift to his swing, learn to pull inside pitches for power and put some more bulk on his frame. Durability is a minor concern, as injuries have bothered Hermida in each of his first three seasons. He dealt with an ankle problem in 2002 and a heel injury in 2003. The Future: After a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he was one of the youngest players, Hermida should start 2005 at Double-A Carolina. If he shows he can handle that level, he could reach the majors by the end of the year. The Marlins have Juan Encarnacion under contract at $4.4 million through 2005, but they hope Hermida will be ready to take over as their everyday right fielder in 2006. 2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Jupiter (Hi A) .297 .377 .441 340 53 101 17 1 10 50 42 73 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. SCOTT OLSEN, lhp Age: 21 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-4 Wt.: 170 Drafted: HS--Crystal Lake, Ill., 2002 (6th round) Signed by: Scott Engler Background: Olsen was relatively unknown and had mechanical problems in high school, so the Marlins were able to take him in the sixth-round and sign him for $160,000. Jeff Schwarz, his pitching coach in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, smoothed him out in his pro debut, and now he's one of the game's top lefty prospects. Strengths: Olsen continues to increase his velocity, as he now pitches at 91-93 mph and tops out at 96. His fastball has late life and he has tightened his slider to give it more depth. He's learning to use his slider as an out pitch. He's confident and aggressive, with a bit of a mean streak. Weaknesses: Olsen has a tendency to leave his fastball up in the zone and he needs to use his changeup much more than he's willing to now. His slight frame could use another 15-20 pounds of muscle. He needs to add maturity and learn to control his emotions better on the mound. The Future: For the second straight year, Olsen finished strong. He went 3-0, 0.78 in his final six starts at high Class A Jupiter, showing he's ready for Double-A. He could land in the majors as soon as he shows he's ready. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Jupiter (Hi A) 7 6 2.97 25 25 1 0 136 127 8 54 158 .246 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Yorman Bazardo, rhp Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt: 170 Signed: Venezuela, 2000 Signed by: Miguel Garcia Background: Signed for $85,000 out of Venezuela by former Marlins scout Miguel Garcia, Bazardo might have the best overall arm in the system. Part of a talented pitching staff at Jupiter in 2004, Bazardo distinguished himself in that company. The Marlins designated him one of four untouchables in their system at the July trade deadline. Strengths: Bazardo's long limbs allow him to deliver a 92-94 mph fastball that has touched 98 as late as the eighth inning. He has good action on his sinker, and also throws a plus changeup and a developing slider. He junked his curveball early in the year to concentrate on his slider. He's aggressive, going right at hitters, and gets lots of quick outs. He has excellent makeup. Weaknesses: Bazardo tired late in the season and was pitching closer to 90 mph, but the Marlins aren't concerned about that. His mechanics still go out of whack from time to time, and he sometimes tries to manipulate his changeup instead of letting it work naturally. He doesn't miss as many bats as he should with his stuff. The Future: The Marlins will be careful not to rush Bazardo, but he isn't that far away from the majors. He'll open 2005 in Double-A. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Jupiter (Hi A) 5 9 3.27 25 25 2 0 154 161 3 30 95 .266 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. JASON STOKES, 1b Age: 23 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 225 Drafted: HS--Coppell, Texas, 2000 (2nd round) Signed by: Bob Laurie Background: Stokes would have gone early in the first round as the top high school power hitter in the 2000 draft, but his commitment to the University of Texas dropped him to the first pick in the second round. After signing for $2.027 million, he eventually surpassed 2000's No. 1 overall pick, Adrian Gonzalez, in Florida's plans. That led to Gonzalez' inclusion in a 2003 trade for Ugueth Urbina. Strengths: Stokes' greatest tool remains his powerful bat. He shows prodigious power to all fields. He runs well for a big man and has decent hands. Weaknesses: His high strikeout totals have inspired some doubts, and Stokes never shortens his long swing, not even with two strikes. He has poor lateral movement, which means he'll never be more than average at best as a first baseman. His left wrist required a bone graft in 2002 and flared up again last season. He may require another operation. The Future: With incumbent first baseman Jeff Conine's contract up after 2005, Stokes is positioned to succeed him. However, he'll have to show he can stay healthy for a full season. He could return to Double-A to start 2005. 2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Carolina (AA) .272 .345 .513 394 66 107 26 0 23 78 42 121 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. JOSH WILLINGHAM, c/1b Age: 26 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-1 Wt: 200 Signed: North Alabama, 2000 (17th round) Signed by: Admin Keller Background: With Jason Stokes and Miguel Cabrera blocking him at the corner-infield spots, Willingham tried catching in instructional league in 2002. He has made enough strides to handle a surprising jump from Double-A to the majors last July. He led the minor leagues in on-base percentage. Strengths: Willingham has made himself into perhaps the best pure hitter in the system. He has a short swing, power to all fields and a willingness to work counts and take walks. The tools-first Marlins don't have enough of those players. He's instinctive and has great work ethic. He has solid-average arm strength and works hard at calling a game. Weaknesses: Because he didn't try catching until he was 23, Willingham might run out of time to make the full transition. He could wind up like Craig Wilson, bouncing from first to the outfield and slugging all the way. Staying healthy has been a concern as persistent knee problems undercut his 2003 season and have knocked his speed to below average. The Future: With Paul Lo Duca eligible for free agency after 2005, Willingham could be a low-cost replacement if he continues to develop defensively. In the interim, he could make the big club in a utility role. 2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Carolina (AA) .281 .449 .565 338 81 95 24 0 24 76 91 87 6 Florida .200 .310 .320 25 2 5 0 0 1 1 4 8 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. ERIC REED, of Age: 24 B-T: L-L Ht: 5-11 Wt: 170 Drafted: Texas A&M, 2002 (9th round) Signed by: Dennis Cardoza Background: Reed led the Cape Cod League in hitting in 2001 but fell in the 2002 draft after a poor junior season. Despite a wiry frame, he's a former high school powerlifting champion who squatted 450 pounds at Texas A&M. He missed the last three months in 2004 after breaking his wrist in a bar fight. Strengths: Reed has top-of-the-line speed, regularly timed at 3.8 seconds to first base. Often compared to Marlins center fielder Juan Pierre, he may be faster and a better defender. He's a tremendous bunter with some gap power. His arm is average. Weaknesses: Reed still strikes out too much for his skill set. He must do a better job of sticking to his strike zone and not expanding with two strikes. Taking more pitches would help as well. He's in great shape and has just 3 percent body fat, but he still needs to add bulk to his upper body. The Future: To scrape off some rust, Reed played in the Arizona Fall League after the season. He figures to return to Double-A, where he'll continue to prepare himself as Pierre's eventual replacement. Pierre could receive a huge bump through arbitration after 2005, which could add some urgency to Reed's development. 2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Carolina (AA) .306 .345 .441 222 32 68 9 6 3 14 14 55 24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. TAYLOR TANKERSLEY, lhp Age: 21 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-2 Wt: 225 Drafted: Alabama, 2004 (1st round) Signed by: Dave Dangler Background: The son of a nuclear physicist, Tankersley gets his sporting genes from his paternal grandfather, Earl Tankersley, who pitched briefly in the minors. He taught his grandson the importance of pitching inside at an early age. The lessons paid off, as Tankersley received a $1.3 million bonus at the 27th pick in the 2004 draft. Strengths: Tankersley's best pitch is a plus slider. His fastball usually ranges from 90-93 mph. He shows a bulldog mentality and throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, which makes him particularly tough on lefties. He throws strikes and has great versatility after starting and relieving at Alabama. Weaknesses: Tankersley doesn't have an overpowering fastball and his velocity sometimes dips into the high 80s. Refining his changeup would make his heater more effective. His emotions sometimes get the best of him, and he much watch his weight as his body still carries some baby fat. The Future: With his college background and maturity level, both physical and mental, Tankersley should move quickly through the system. Though he could get to the majors quicker as a reliever, the Marlins will leave him in the rotation at low Class A Greensboro so he can develop fully. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Jamestown (SS) 1 1 3.38 6 6 0 0 27 21 2 8 32 .208 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. JASON VARGAS, lhp Age: 21 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-0 Wt: 215 Drafted: Long Beach State, 2004 (2nd round) Signed by: Robby Corsaro Background: Vargas was a two-way player during a circuitous college career that saw him spend a year each at Louisiana State, Cypress (Calif.) JC and Long Beach State. The Marlins considered taking him in the first round in 2004, but opted for Taylor Tankersley before grabbing Vargas in the second. He's the nephew of former major league infielder Randy Velarde. Strengths: Vargas has good arm strength, working at 91-94 mph with his fastball. His tight slider is a putaway pitch against lefties. His changeup has good downward action at times and could become a plus pitch. He has a strong mound presence, working quickly and going right after hitters. He has sound mechanics and command. Weaknesses: Some scouts wonder if Vargas may wind up as a reliever because he has just one plus pitch against righthanders. Though he has a good physique, there's some concern about potential weight gain in his lower half. He tired near the end of the year after a late promotion to low Class A, but that's typical for first-year players. The Future: Vargas should stay with Tankersley, beginning 2005 back at Greensboro. If he continues to show the progress he made in his pro debut, he'll reach high Class A by season's end. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Jamestown (SS) 3 1 1.96 8 8 0 0 41 35 2 13 41 .224 Greensboro (Lo A) 2 1 2.37 3 3 0 0 19 9 1 2 17 .143 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. ROBERT ANDINO, ss Age: 20 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-0 Wt: 170 Drafted: HS--Miami, 2002 (2nd round) Signed by: John Martin Background: After signing for $750,000, Andino hit just .188 in his full-season debut. He got off to another slow start in 2004, batting .141 through early May before he suddenly began producing at the plate. He hit .313 the rest of the way. Strengths: Andino has tremendous range, a plus arm and a little flair at shortstop. His defense is easily his biggest asset and will get him to the big leagues. He does have plus bat speed, and he shored up some of the holes in his swing. He learned to stay back on offspeed pitches and trusted his hands more. He's figuring out how to put his good speed to use on the bases. Weaknesses: Andino will have to prove his offensive resurgence was no fluke. He needs to get stronger after fading at the end of 2004. He takes plays off occasionally and sometimes flips throws to first base. The Future: While Josh Wilson has a head start in the race to eventually replace Alex Gonzalez, Andino could catch and pass Wilson by the time the change is made. Gonzalez's contract expires after 2005, which could bring opportunity sooner than expected for Andino. He figures to begin the season back in high Class A. 2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Greensboro (Lo A) .281 .321 .403 295 27 83 10 1 8 46 18 83 9 Jupiter (Hi A) .281 .304 .337 196 18 55 7 2 0 15 7 43 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. TREVOR HUTCHINSON, rhp Age: 25 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-5 Wt: 220 Drafted: California, 2002 (3rd round) Signed by: John Hughes Background: The younger brother of former Cardinals pitcher and current Bears quarterback Chad Hutchinson, Trevor has far better command this his sibling. Drafted as a college senior in 2002, he held out for 8 1/2 months before signing for $375,000. Strengths: When he's on, Hutchinson throws a heavy sinker at 89-91 mph. His slider and changeup are solid-average pitches. He has outstanding makeup and a good feel for pitching, changing speeds and eye levels on unsuspecting hitters. He's a strike-thrower who produces lots of groundballs. Weaknesses: A minor elbow problem dropped Hutchinson's velocity into the mid-80s for a while and sidelined him for six weeks at midseason. An MRI failed to turn up anything definitive, and the condition was written off as arm fatigue. A trip to the Arizona Fall League was aborted after two starts when he had muscle spasms in his throwing shoulder. Another MRI proved negative. Though he's 22-12 in the minors, Hutchinson has been pretty hittable. The Future: Hutchinson projects as no better than a fourth starter and could emerge initially as a workhorse setup man. He figures to return to Double-A for a third straight year, but could reach Florida by midseason. 2004 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG Carolina (AA) 10 7 4.23 24 24 0 0 123 133 11 38 86 .281
December 23, 200421 yr I'm kinda surprised they put Hutch at #10. I would've liked to have seen Rick Vandenhurk or Logan Kensing there.
December 23, 200421 yr I'm kinda surprised they put Hutch at #10. I would've liked to have seen Rick Vandenhurk or Logan Kensing there. 641321[/snapback] Rick who? Kensing is a joke.
December 23, 200421 yr I'm kinda surprised they put Hutch at #10.? I would've liked to have seen Rick Vandenhurk or Logan Kensing there. 641321[/snapback] Rick who? Kensing is a joke. 641337[/snapback] If he were a joke he wouldnt have been called up from single A last year
December 23, 200421 yr I don't think either Stokes or Kensing is a "joke". Kensing was put in an awful position late in the season. He was nowhere near ready to pitch at that level, but he showed a good arm and he'll be back in Florida one day. I would definately rate him ahead of Hutchinson as far as prospects go. Stokes, while he does strike out a lot, is worthy of being a top 5 prospect. He made the big jump from A ball to AA last year and still produced. This year will be very important for him and his future with the Marlins. By the season's end he should be playing in AAA and get a September call-up.
December 23, 200421 yr I'm kinda surprised they put Hutch at #10.? I would've liked to have seen Rick Vandenhurk or Logan Kensing there. 641321[/snapback] Rick who? Kensing is a joke. 641337[/snapback] please.
December 23, 200421 yr I'm kinda surprised at #3 and 4, I thought Willingham and our two first picks from this year Tankersley and Vargas might be in front of them. Also, like nc_marlin said, I'm surprised Hutch is at #10 and not Kensing.
December 23, 200421 yr When Hermida becomes an All-Star major leaguer, and maybe a hall of famer, I will be happy that LCastillo gave me a signed ball by him from a Hammerheads game.
December 23, 200421 yr I for one give Kensing alot of kudos for at least trying last September. Here was a kid who hadn't pitched in weeks, was down on his parent's farm in Texas and was three levels away from the bigs. He could have said no but at least he gave it his all. For a few innings in his last two starts (until opposing teams figured him out) he looked less a duck out of water than I would have expected. Give the kid a break.
December 23, 200421 yr The farm system is looking might weak there. I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star. Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either. Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. Stokes might be decent, but I don't see him being anything spectacular at this moment unless he does a little better at AAA. Willingham being on that list is a joke. Dominating AA at 26 years old? Give me a break.
December 23, 200421 yr The farm system is looking might weak there. I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star. Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either. Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. Stokes might be decent, but I don't see him being anything spectacular at this moment unless he does a little better at AAA. Willingham being on that list is a joke. Dominating AA at 26 years old? Give me a break. 641392[/snapback] I think that most baseball people will disagree with your assessment of Hermida. But I do agree with you that the farm system isn't as strong as past years, but it is getting stronger. Much of the talent is at the low levels. Not to mention 5 picks in the 1st 2 rounds of the draft this year, and good draft last year. The farm system will be fine.
December 23, 200421 yr The farm system is looking might weak there. I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star. Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either. Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. 641392[/snapback] Give me a break. You are clueless. Don't you have a lawn to mow? :thumbdown
December 23, 200421 yr Willingham being on that list is a joke. Dominating AA at 26 years old? Give me a break. 641392[/snapback] When I grew up with baseball in the fifties it wasn't uncommon, in fact it was almost the practice that ballplayers didn't come up until they were in their late twenties or later and still had long careers. Of course alot has changed since then, most importantly free agency. Willingham was asked to switch positions which slowed his ascendency, but if he makes it by 28 and still plays five+ years, it's a win-win for everyone. Rushing kids along (the Miguel Cabrera's of the world not withstanding, they are the exceptions that prove the rule) has led to burn-out arms at age 24, and a lot of wasted talent that never was given the chance to develop.
December 23, 200421 yr Minor league numbers are not the entire story. IMO one year from today the picture of our farm system will be much different. With a strong draft this year and the pitching we have in single A our farm system is being rebuilt expeditously by the FO. To take it a step further, not many of the players we have dealt away to make playoff runs the last two years would be helping us openind day this year. The biggest exception might be Gonzalez competing for at bats with Conine.
December 23, 200421 yr Thanks TSwift. 641345[/snapback] Thanks Swifty :thumbup 641377[/snapback] Yeah, thanks! Great read! :thumbup :thumbup
December 23, 200421 yr The farm system is looking might weak there.? I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star.? Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either.? Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. 641392[/snapback] Give me a break. You are clueless. Don't you have a lawn to mow? :thumbdown 641406[/snapback] I concur. Hermida is a bonafide future star IMO. And you know what, if he turned out like Jeff Conine, who has been one of the most productive major leaguers for his entire career, I'd be pretty darn happy with that.
December 23, 200421 yr with the injuries and K's, i'm not havin a lot of faith in Stokes lately. I really think vargas is gonna be excellent tho. I'm excited about him.
December 23, 200421 yr I look forward to getting to see Vargas and Tankersley pitch here in Greensboro this year. Last year was really weak here prospects-wise.
December 23, 200421 yr I for one give Kensing alot of kudos for at least trying last September. Here was a kid who hadn't pitched in weeks, was down on his parent's farm in Texas and was three levels away from the bigs. He could have said no but at least he gave it his all. For a few innings in his last two starts (until opposing teams figured him out) he looked less a duck out of water than I would have expected. Give the kid a break. 641382[/snapback] Exactly. I really don't see anyone can hate on Logan when the poor kid came all the way up from Single A to have to debut in Wrigley Field and then both start and relieve with a Major League Club's playoff hopes on the line.
December 23, 200421 yr The farm system is looking might weak there. I know the Florida State league is a pitching-dominated league, but Hermida's numbers aren't anything that suggest future MLB star. Plus, he's not exactly young for high A ball, either. Right now, he's looking like a future mediocre MLB OF - consistently putting up numbers like Conine had last year. Stokes might be decent, but I don't see him being anything spectacular at this moment unless he does a little better at AAA. Willingham being on that list is a joke. Dominating AA at 26 years old? Give me a break. 641392[/snapback] You do realize that Hermida is only 21, signed out of highschool, and a player who (through his first few years of development) is viewed as the closest thing to a "sure thing" we've had in our organization since Josh Beckett (Cabrera included). Hermida does not (nor has he ever) strike out with frequency, and the only concern is that he "has to grow into his body" to get his power. By the time he's playing for us (don't be surprised if he's starting in right at the All-Star break this year), I'd expect him to be in the running for ROY. I'm higher on Stokes than most here, but I understand that is a big can of worms... I see him as an offense only kind of player, not a franchise corner stone.
December 23, 200421 yr Read the chat wrap. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/chat/041223jm.html I got 12 of my 14 questions answered
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