Interesting article on Floridamarlins.com that seems to apologize for Stokes' down year. And does so in a compelling manner. Gotta wonder just how much his wrist has effected him, and if he will get it together again. Here is the article:

 

Stokes pumping up for next season

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

 

 

 

Jason Stokes had 17 homers and 89 RBIs with the Jupiter Hammerhead in 2003. (Jupiter Hammerheads)

 

 

 

MESA, Ariz. -- After the 2002 season ended, Marlins first base prospect Jason Stokes spent time picking up some hardware, earning Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year and Marlins Organizational Player of the Year honors.

This offseason, the only things Stokes will be picking up are weights as he concentrates on strengthening his left wrist, which required surgery last offseason and sapped some of the power from his bat in 2003. After 121 regular-season games in the Florida State League sometimes as a Jupiter Hammerhead without the hammer, then 18 more games in the Arizona Fall League, Stokes is obviously ready to shut it down for a little while.

 

"Now, my wrist is a little tired. I'm not going to lie about it," Stokes said. "It was fine all year, but it's fatigued a lot. That's why I'm looking forward to the offseason, so I can strengthen it, get back in shape, back to where I need to be next year."

 

For any other 21-year-old playing High-A ball, a season with 17 homers and 89 RBIs would have to be considered a success. But Stokes set the bar a little higher when he hit .341 with 27 homers, a .645 slugging percentage and a .421 OBP in just 97 games with Kane County in the Midwest League in 2002. He ended up striking out 135 times in 2003, drawing only 36 walks as he finished the season with a .258/.448/.312 showing, far off his numbers in his breakout season.

 

 

 

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Stokes would never attribute any of that to his wrist, but the fact he started off behind where he'd like to be preparation-wise clearly had an impact on his very slow start for Jupiter.

 

"Going into Spring Training, it was definitely frustrating," Stokes said. "I wasn't that far from rehab. I wasn't near ready."

 

The Marlins clearly took that into account when trying to figure out their player development plans. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2000 draft, Stokes had been right behind the No. 1 overall pick in that draft, Adrian Gonzalez. When Florida traded Gonzalez to Texas in the Ugueth Urbina deal in July, the Marlins clearly made their choice in who they consider to be the first baseman of the future. Stokes is the man, though he won't allow any extra pressure to be placed upon his shoulders.

 

"I try not to think about it," Stokes said. "Adrian and I are good friends. We played together for three years. Maybe this will work out best for the both of us. Both of us can make it to the big leagues, me with the Marlins and him with the Rangers. That's the bottom line, it doesn't matter what team you do it with."

 

Stokes isn't lobbying for a change of scenery by any means. He'll happily head to Carolina to try his hand in the Double-A Southern League. He certainly would rather stay in the organization that just won the World Series, after all.

 

"It was a big surprise that it happened," Stokes said. "I wish I could've been there to experience a World Series. But it will motivate me to get there faster."

 

Playing in the AFL, ironically as Gonzalez's teammate on the Peoria Saguaros, might also help him reach the big leagues a little more quickly. Facing the level of pitching he's seen has given Stokes a better idea of what he needs to do to succeed at the next level.

 

"It's definitely going to help me develop as a player," Stokes said. "Seeing advanced competition will be very beneficial. I'm seeing pitchers from Double-A and Triple-A. I've never seen better pitching."

 

Stokes is the first to admit he hasn't mastered that pitching yet. More often than not, AFL pitchers have gotten the better of Stokes. In 62 at-bats, he's hit just .145 with a pair of homers, five RBIs and 22 strikeouts with just one walk. Still, Stokes is taking a suitcase-full of lessons that he believes will help him in the future.

 

"The numbers don't show it, but it will make me a better player," Stokes said. Some people might fail and then continue failing. I look at it as a motivational thing, things I can use to get better."

 

The one thing he knows will be better in his next spring will be that left wrist. A full year removed from surgery, a complete season under his belt, Stokes is fairly confident he'll be able to break out of the gates a little more strongly than he did in 2003.

 

"I'll be ready to go next spring," Stokes said of his health. "I guarantee everything will be awesome."

I hope to god he can get it together.

Amen.