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Florida Marlins

 

The eternal push for a new south Florida stadium remains in limbo, but the Marlins continue to operate the baseball side with impressive skill. After blowing up a team that won the 2003 World Series and contended for the postseason the following two years, they exceeded all expectations by winning 78 games in 2006 with the game's youngest and least expensive club.

 

Many of the key pieces acquired in Florida's fire sale after the 2005 season already are making an impact in the big leagues. The Marlins set a record for rookie at-bats (3,694), with Hanley Ramirez (the key to the Josh Beckett trade with the Red Sox) winning National League rookie of the year honors and Dan Uggla (a Rule 5 steal) finishing third. Mike Jacobs (part of the Carlos Delgado deal with the Mets) slugged 20 homers. Florida also broke in two homegrown outfielders, Jeremy Hermida, who might be the best of the group in the long run, and Josh Willingham.

 

On the mound, the Marlins featured the first rookie foursome to each reach 10 victories each with the homegrown Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen, Anibal Sanchez (part of the Beckett trade) and Ricky Nolasco (included in the Juan Pierre deal with the Cubs). Johnson made a run at the National League ERA title, while Sanchez threw a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks.

 

While Florida was introducing fresh faces in the majors, it also was adding new talent. For the fourth straight year, the Marlins used their top draft pick on a pitcher. The Jeff Allison (2003) mistake aside, the strategy has worked well for them. Lefty swingman Taylor Tankersley (2004) made his way to the majors last June and worked his way into a prominent setup role. Chris Volstad (2005), the leader of the all-prospect rotation at low Class A Greensboro, rates as the system's top prospect after his first full season in pro ball. Right behind him is Brett Sinkbeil (2006), who joined Volstad at Greensboro a month after the draft.

 

Besides targeting pitching in the draft, general manager Admin Beinfest did the same when he was shedding salaries. He acquired 11 young arms in the fire sale, with Sergio Mitre, Yusmeiro Petit and Renyel Pinto and also pitching in the majors in 2006.

 

Not surprisingly, pitchers claim seven of the top eight spots on the Marlins Top 10 Prospects. Position talent in general is down throughout the system, with first baseman/catcher Gaby Sanchez considered on the fast track. While the Marlins figure to have baseball's youngest roster again in 2007, they continue to search for long-term answers at catcher and center field.

 

Their minor league affiliates combined for one of the worst records in the game, 316-363 (.465). Only the lowest affiliate on the ladder, the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League entry, posted a winning record. While disappointing, the performance was understandable considering that most of Florida's best prospects were pushed to the majors.

 

On the international front, the Marlins hired Albert Gonzalez from the Royals to be their coordinator of Latin American scouting and player development. Florida made a run at Dominican catcher Francisco Pena, whose father Tony is a former all-star and currently coaches with the Yankees, but lost out when the Mets signed him for $750,000.

 

 

1. Chris Volstad, rhp

2. Brett Sinkbeil, rhp

3. Gaby Hernandez, rhp

4. Sean West, lhp

5. Gaby Sanchez, 1b/c

6. Taylor Tankersley, lhp

7. Aaron Thompson, lhp

8. Ryan Tucker, rhp

9. Chris Coghlan, 3b/2b

10. Kris Harvey, of

BEST

TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Gaby Sanchez

Best Power Hitter Gaby Sanchez

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Gaby Sanchez

Fastest Baserunner Jose Campusano

Best Athlete Greg Burns

Best Fastball Ryan Tucker

Best Curveball Gaby Hernandez

Best Slider Brett Sinkbeil

Best Changeup Jose Garcia

Best Control Chris Volstad

Best Defensive Catcher Brett Hayes

Best Defensive Infielder Robert Andino

Best Infield Arm Robert Andino

Best Defensive Outfielder Eric Reed

Best Outfield Arm Brett Carroll

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prosp...res/263055.html

 

 

 

 

Catcher Brett Hayes

First Base Mike Jacobs

Second Base Dan Uggla

Third Base Miguel Cabrera

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez

Left Field Josh Willingham

Center Field Tom Hickman

Right Field Jeremy Hermida

No. 1 Starter Dontrelle Willis

No. 2 Starter Anibal Sanchez

No. 3 Starter Scott Olsen

No. 4 Starter Josh Johnson

No. 5 Starter Chris Volstad

Closer Brett Sinkbeil

 

? Mike Berardino will chat about the Marlins Top 10 Premium at 1 p.m. ET.

Sinkbeil at #2...wow.

Best Fastball Ryan Tucker

Best Curveball Gaby Hernandez

Best Slider Brett Sinkbeil

Best Changeup Jose Garcia

Best Control Chris Volstad

We have a little of everything haha.

 

Proud of them for putting Coghlan on the list. Tank should have been dis-included, and Harvey not on it at all. I can live with G. Sanchez and Tucker on the list even if I'd put them 11-15, but I'd put J. Garcia, Vanden Hurk, Hickman, and H. Owens in place of those back end 7-10.

 

Not bad though. I like how they think West is 4. Can't wait to see us unleash the fab 5 in 1-2 years.

I'm a huge fan of Sinkbeil and I loved seeing him that high. Would have liked to of seen Thomas Hickman on the list though, but I guess it's still too soon. I have a feeling he breaks out big time next year and I consider him our most important prospect.

  • Author

West should be 1 or 2 I think but oh wells.

its kinda dumb that they concider pinto and tank prospects

I'm a huge Volstad fan, partly because I got to see him progress as a pitcher at the high-school level up until now, but also because of his massive potential and compsure.

  • Author

where is garcia and pettit I wonder

where is garcia and pettit I wonder

 

It's easy to give Petit the shaft considering his portential for success at the upper level is questionable, but not adding Garcia is a travesty.

I'm starting to loose what little respect I had for BA's Rankings.

There is so much outdated information and several major descrepancies.

It reads more like a Gossip column than a baseball publication.

Thanks Ramp, for your straight foreward rankings and your accurate , up to date , information.

:notworthy

Ramp does Ryan Tucker have the best fastball within the Organization? I find that to be a very bold statement...very hard for me to accept at face value!

From a starter maybe, but Lindstrom has a fantastic fastball

From a starter maybe, but Lindstrom has a fantastic fastball

From what I have seen in granted severely limited visual evidence, but from scouts and reports, Tucker really blazes it with fantastic movement. Lindstrom just seems to light it up. Speed shouldn't be the only qualifier?

From a starter maybe, but Lindstrom has a fantastic fastball

From what I have seen in granted severely limited visual evidence, but from scouts and reports, Tucker really blazes it with fantastic movement. Lindstrom just seems to light it up. Speed shouldn't be the only qualifier?

 

If you want to go with speed + movement, I think the nod has to be given to Harvey Garcia. The kid has some nasty junk.

Best injury capability: Jason Stokes

From a starter maybe, but Lindstrom has a fantastic fastball

From what I have seen in granted severely limited visual evidence, but from scouts and reports, Tucker really blazes it with fantastic movement. Lindstrom just seems to light it up. Speed shouldn't be the only qualifier?

 

If you want to go with speed + movement, I think the nod has to be given to Harvey Garcia. The kid has some nasty junk.

I think all of it has to be included if we're generalizing an overall 'fastball.' We haven't all seen the entire farm system pitch which I'm guessing all the publications have, but Harvey certainly throws some nasty junk and I'm really pleased with the throw ins from that trade.

so which one of you wise guys posed this question to Mike Berardino in the chat:

Q: Ramp from Florida asks:

Can you tell us who just missed the cut? like the 11-15 guys?

A:

 

Mike Berardino: For that you'll have to buy the book, but I can tell you there's a good chance more arms will occupy those spots as well.

so which one of you wise guys posed this question to Mike Berardino in the chat:

Q: Ramp from Florida asks:

Can you tell us who just missed the cut? like the 11-15 guys?

A:

 

Mike Berardino: For that you'll have to buy the book, but I can tell you there's a good chance more arms will occupy those spots as well.

 

um, you?

so which one of you wise guys posed this question to Mike Berardino in the chat:

Q: Ramp from Florida asks:

Can you tell us who just missed the cut? like the 11-15 guys?

A:

 

Mike Berardino: For that you'll have to buy the book, but I can tell you there's a good chance more arms will occupy those spots as well.

 

um, you?

um, no

 

someone posted as me, but whatevs

so which one of you wise guys posed this question to Mike Berardino in the chat:

Q: Ramp from Florida asks:

Can you tell us who just missed the cut? like the 11-15 guys?

A:

 

Mike Berardino: For that you'll have to buy the book, but I can tell you there's a good chance more arms will occupy those spots as well.

Now THAT's comedy. :lol

 

(It wasn't me, though)

I mean seriously... ask a semi decent question :lol

 

*looks at FL*

I mean seriously... ask a semi decent question :lol

 

*looks at FL*

:whistle

From a starter maybe, but Lindstrom has a fantastic fastball

From what I have seen in granted severely limited visual evidence, but from scouts and reports, Tucker really blazes it with fantastic movement. Lindstrom just seems to light it up. Speed shouldn't be the only qualifier?

 

If you want to go with speed + movement, I think the nod has to be given to Harvey Garcia. The kid has some nasty junk.

I am with you on this one PBC, the hardest thrower is Lindstrom, but Harvey Garcia's heater is just amazing

lol no clue

  • Author

wasnt me, if it was me I would of asked why not have Sean West at the number 1 spot :)

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