Posted on Sun, Feb. 29, 2004

 

 

 

HECTOR GABINO / EL NUEVO HERALD

NEW POWER SUPPLY: Can Miguel Cabrera help make up for lost offense? That's one of several questions facing the Marlins this season.

 

 

 

PROSPECTS

 

 

Who's the next Cabrera?

 

Or the next Dontrelle Willis? If, like last year, the Marlins falter early in the season, they could look to these rising prospects for the kind of spark Cabrera and Willis provided.

 

BY CLARK SPENCER

 

[email protected]

 

 

Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera came to the Marlins' rescue last season, Double A call-ups who made an instant impact.

 

Are more like them lurking in the wings?

 

Here are five prospects worth keeping an eye on this spring, players who could either make the opening-day roster or find their way to the big club if, like last season, the Marlins get off to a slow start:

 

? INF Wilson Valdez: Could crack Florida's opening-day roster with a good spring. If he does, he'll be used in a utility role. Valdez, 25, enjoyed a breakout season in the minors in 2003, hitting .313 at Double A Carolina before receiving a promotion to Triple A Albuquerque, where he hit. 287. In terms of offense, think Luis Castillo. Valdez lacks pop. None of his 144 hits last season went over the fence. But he stole 49 bases in 63 attempts. Excellent fielder. Was named Albuquerque's Defensive Player of the Year.

 

? P Trevor Hutchinson: Hard-throwing right-hander raised eyebrows in his first minor-league season last year, combining to go 12-5 with a 3.05 ERA while splitting time between Single A Jupiter and Double A Carolina. A third-round draft pick by the Marlins in 2002, Hutchinson was named the Marlins' Organizational Pitcher of the Year. He struggled in the Arizona Fall League, going 0-4 with a 7.15 ERA in eight games, and he might require more seasoning.

 

? C Josh Willingham: If Ramon Castro's impending trial on sexual assault charges leaves the Marlins in the lurch, they could give Willingham a chance to take his spot on the roster -- even if only for the short term. Willingham was a 17th-round pick in 2000, but he has exceeded expectations. He advanced to Double A Carolina toward the end of the 2003 season after hitting .264 with 12 home runs for Single A Jupiter. Had 17 home runs in 2002 at Jupiter.

 

? P Franklin Gracesqui: A tall lefty with pop on his fastball. Gracesqui flashed promise out of the bullpen last season in Double A, going 3-3 with a 2.48 ERA and five saves. Tough against lefties, holding them to .145 batting average. Did not allow an extra-base hit to any lefty hitter last season. Fanned 75 batters in 58 innings, though 11 wild pitches could be a concern. The Marlins got him cheap, too -- a Rule 5 draft pick in 2002 from Toronto.

 

? OF Abraham Nu?ez: The Marlins have loved this guy since he joined the team in 1999, when Arizona traded him (along with pitcher Brad Penny) for reliever Matt Mantei. The problem is Nu?ez has never fulfilled the promise heaped on him. This could finally be his year after hitting .311 at Triple A Albuquerque last season. Spent half of season on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring suffered in spring training but could compete for a roster spot with a good spring.

 

I think Wilson Valdez has a good chance of making the roster as a utility man and Abraham Nunez as the 5th Outfielder.

 

I'd also like Gracesqui to get a look because we could really use that shutdown lefty from the pen.

 

 

Article

Gracesqui, Valdez and Nunez will all make the team at one point during the year, but Abe is the only one with a legit shot at the opening day roster.

Gracesqui, Valdez and Nunez will all make the team at one point during the year, but Abe is the only one with a legit shot at the opening day roster.

Opening day roster needs a Mordecai backup. If not Valdez, who then?

Hooper doesn't offer as much as Valdez. And the couple of re-treads we have are about to go flat.

Gracesqui, Valdez and Nunez will all make the team at one point during the year, but Abe is the only one with a legit shot at the opening day roster.

Opening day roster needs a Mordecai backup. If not Valdez, who then?

Hooper doesn't offer as much as Valdez. And the couple of re-treads we have are about to go flat. Damian Easley I guess. You bring up a good point, but still... Valdez is not Cabrera; he can't come straight from double-A and expect to do very well.

Unless they trade him, Nunez seems destined to make the team as much because he can't be sent back to the minors as for his skills. With Cordero and Banks pretty much penciled in, Nunez unfortunately is the odd man out. I hate to see the roster spot wasted on him but we could do worse.

 

If he has a break-out spring he may increase his trade value or force the trade of Banks, although I think that's unlikely. Cordero isn't going anywhere until July at the earliest and Banks has proved he can perform at the MLB level while Nunez has not. Perhaps another team with a player in a similar player will fudge the rules and swap players.

 

Other than that, the only player capable of forcing his way onto the roster is Hooper, who at this point doesn't have much more to prove in the minors whereas Valdez can benefit from another year of seasoning.

 

Let's hope Blaine Neal can get his act together this ST, we can use him if he's capable of bringing his AAA numbers to the bigs again. The Herald rightly pointed out this is it for him. No more chances.

I think it's debatable whether Nunez can even be called a "prospect" anymore.

Id like to see JWil get a long hard look

Nunez and Valdes have a good chance.

 

We need a backup outfielder since Hollandsworth left and a backup infielder since fox left.

I agree.

Nunez and Valdes have a good chance.

 

We need a backup outfielder since Hollandsworth left and a backup infielder since fox left.

 

As for an outfielder, that's why we went out and got Wil Cordero to complement Banks on the bench. We have Mordy as the first guy off the bench to cover the infield plus Cordero at first if needed, Cabs at 3B and maybe even SS if needed. I think it really depends on whether Lenny Harris can make the team or not.

 

While there's one extra bench spot available because we'll be carrying two catcher versus three last season, that slot may be picked up, at least early in the season with an additional pitcher. It's inconceivable to me that the FO will want Valdez pining away on the bench rather than playing everyday with the 'Topes. So that leaves one more roster spot and if anybody it goes to Nunez. Maybe.

I WANT WILSON VALDEZ ... well id rather have Damion Easley, but this kid keeps impressing me ... at least paper wise.

 

 

ummm yeah, i think we could maybe ship Abe to a team that might need an OF due to some ST injury (get some bullpen help in return) but this dude had a terrific span in the Winter league, so hopefully that could carry on to ST, and that to a spot on the team.... or maybe a ticket out of the team haha

 

 

am i the only one that thinks we still need some major help in the Bullpen?

 

i dont think Tejera/Phelps/Bump/Neal/Borland crew can cut it ..... and Neu aint out of this world, i think we are over appreciating this kid, so id like to add him to the bunch mentioned above.

 

 

I hope Bump can put it together and pitch the same way as he did last year (just so we can justify the Livan Trade... j/k)

I WANT WILSON VALDEZ ... well id rather have Damion Easley, but this kid keeps impressing me ... at least paper wise.

 

 

ummm yeah, i think we could maybe ship Abe to a team that might need an OF due to some ST injury (get some bullpen help in return) but this dude had a terrific span in the Winter league, so hopefully that could carry on to ST, and that to a spot on the team.... or maybe a ticket out of the team haha

 

 

am i the only one that thinks we still need some major help in the Bullpen?

 

i dont think Tejera/Phelps/Bump/Neal/Borland crew can cut it ..... and Neu aint out of this world, i think we are over appreciating this kid, so id like to add him to the bunch mentioned above.

 

 

I hope Bump can put it together and pitch the same way as he did last year (just so we can justify the Livan Trade... j/k)

 

Catch I happen to agree with you about the bullpen, but then again so does most everyone else.

 

I'm sincerely curious why you think Valdez should be on this team when we break camp and what you think he would contribute being the 25th man on the roster?

I know that everyone agrees about the bullpen, but it hasnt been a hot topic. I think we just have a mediocre bunch in the pen.

 

I think that last years bullpen looked better ... at least paper wise.

 

and about Valdez ... there isnt really a cause. Im just impressed on his stats, and stolen base totals he had last year... and the defense sounds comforting too. It just makes you think about the whole Castillo / DLee deal and looking twice at who should have been signed. But than again disrupting the AGon/Castillo combo seems awefully evil.

Also, I said that i liked Damion. And while he would contribute with his bat (the long ball) hes not a guy to hit for avg... or known to get on base often. So maybe Valdez could be more useful, since he would give us some speed off the bench, some good defense and the kid could hit.... something that Easley lacks.

 

 

Easley just needs to have fun and stop losing so much and he will be back on the homerun challenge .... BELIEVE IT

:lolup

IMO, the most interesting ST competition will be among Damion Easley, Wilson Valdez and Kevin Hooper. (Mordecai back-up position)

 

As a veteran, it would be easiest for Easley to play off the bench. But, I don't like him at Short.

 

Valdez could benefit from more daily play in the Minors, but he has the versatility and speed to contribute now.

 

Hooper can contribute (reminds me a little of Craig Counsell). He is already a minor league journeyman and won't benefit from more time there.

 

Spring Training is going to be exciting for these three quality ballplayers.

And for us.

Out of all of them, Nunez. The Marlins need an OF off the bench, and Nunez can fill that role. Don't expect him to be anything more than mediocre. The only other one that has a shot is Willingham and that's only if the trial interferes with Castro's season. Hutchinson could see some bullpen duty if the club gets desperate, but there are no Dontrelles or Cabreras among this group.

 

Wilson Valdez is not a serious prospect whatsoever. A .326 OBP and a .346 SLG while playing in a hitter's paradise like Albuquerque is disgraceful. That's the emptiest .287 batting average ever. Gracesqui is too wild. His K/BB ratio sucks.

 

The only one I can seriously see giving this team a shot in the arm is Nannini. That's only if Dontrelle struggles in the starting role, Oliver keeps getting bombed, and A.J. is really slow to recover.

Valdez could benefit from more daily play in the Minors, but he has the versatility and speed to contribute now.

 

Hooper can contribute (reminds me a little of Craig Counsell). He is already a minor league journeyman and won't benefit from more time there.

 

Valdez doesn't have the bat to contribute now, neither does Hooper. They were horrible at AAA, how can they be serious contributors at the MLB level? I see Easley taking that competition in a cakewalk. Easley could put up .320/.380/.450 in his sleep at Albuquerque, which would put Hooper and Valdez's numbers to shame.

Out of all of them, Nunez. The Marlins need an OF off the bench, and Nunez can fill that role. Don't expect him to be anything more than mediocre. The only other one that has a shot is Willingham and that's only if the trial interferes with Castro's season. Hutchinson could see some bullpen duty if the club gets desperate, but there are no Dontrelles or Cabreras among this group.

 

Wilson Valdez is not a serious prospect whatsoever. A .326 OBP and a .346 SLG while playing in a hitter's paradise like Albuquerque is disgraceful. That's the emptiest .287 batting average ever. Gracesqui is too wild. His K/BB ratio sucks.

 

The only one I can seriously see giving this team a shot in the arm is Nannini. That's only if Dontrelle struggles in the starting role, Oliver keeps getting bombed, and A.J. is really slow to recover.

 

In regards to Nunez, why do the Fish need another OFer? Don't get me wrong, I hope he tears things up in ST and earns a spot but if he does it will be at someone elses expense.

 

They already have Banks and Cordero as backups. How many bench OFers do they really need?

 

Valdez started at Carolina last season where he tore things up and the Marlins reciprocated by bumping him up to Albuquerque. I don't know that he's ready for MLB yet but the Fish seem to think he's close. Say what you will about his offensive performance there but the team voted him best defensive player. He helped turn the 'Topes around and I never underestimate being part of a winner.

 

I'm still rooting for Kevin Hooper to win a bench role in 2004. He seems to me to be the perfect guy behind Mordy.

In regards to Nunez, why do the Fish need another OFer? Don't get me wrong, I hope he tears things up in ST and earns a spot but if he does it will be at someone elses expense.

 

They already have Banks and Cordero as backups. How many bench OFers do they really need?

 

Valdez started at Carolina last season where he tore things up and the Marlins reciprocated by bumping him up to Albuquerque. I don't know that he's ready for MLB yet but the Fish seem to think he's close. Say what you will about his offensive performance there but the team voted him best defensive player. He helped turn the 'Topes around and I never underestimate being part of a winner.

 

Nunez can play CF, Banks and Cordero can't. Plus Banks isn't all that great coming off the bench. He had a decent year last year, but the guy is 33 years old and has an MLB career OPS of .706. Not exactly a lot of firepower coming off the bench, and not a good bet to even duplicate what he did in '03. Nunez at least hasn't reached his peak yet, and could probably do at least as well as Banks did last year.

 

Also, Valdez had a .373 OBP and a .382 SLG at AA last year to go along with his .313 average. I wouldn't exactly call that tearing things up, either. At best Valdez looks like he could be Wilton Guerrero with a better glove.