Florida Marlins 2011 Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

Florida Marlins 2011 Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

I am reviewing my PRE-SEASON list of Top 20 prospects for 2011 for each organization, continuing today with the Florida Marlins. This list was originally published January 5, 2011. We will look at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, the New York Mets on Monday, the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, the Houston Astros on Wednesday, the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, and the Cleveland Indians to finish things off next Saturday.

This is a review of the 2011 Pre-Season Top 20 list. IT IS NOT A NEW LIST.

The 2012 list and new grades won't be ready until the season is over and I start writing the book.

1) Matt Dominguez, 3B, Grade B: Hitting .259/.317/.429 with 10 homers, 23 walks, 43 strikeouts in 282 at-bats for Triple-A New Orleans. Profile remains the same: excellent glove, some power but bat is otherwise very questionable.

2) Christian Yelich, OF-1B, Grade B-: Hitting .306/.375/.460 with 11 homers, 39 walks, 84 strikeouts in 376 at-bats for Low-A Greensboro. This is about what was expected, I would raise his grade to B.

3) Chad James, LHP, Grade B-   3.89 ERA with 114/47 K/BB in 134 innings for High-A Jupiter, 155 hits, 3-15 record. He hasn't been awful but is hittable. Young at 20.

4) Michael Dunn, LHP, Grade B-:  3.66 ERA with 58/29 K/BB in 52 major league innings for the Marlins, 39 hits. Very effective rookie season.

5) Brad Hand, LHP, Grade B-:  3.81 ERA with 56/38 K/BB in 85 innings, 72 hits for Double-A Jacksonville.  4.08 ERA with 24/25 K/BB in 40 innings for the Marlins, 34 hits. Was rushed to the majors. Poor component ratios don't support the ERA and I think he needs more minor league time.

6) Rob Rasmussen, LHP, Grade B-:  4.04 ERA with 96/63 K/BB in 129 innings for Jupiter, 127 hits. I expected better from an advanced college pitcher.

7) Osvaldo Martinez, SS, Grade C+:  .230/.286/.306 with 18 walks, 48 strikeouts in 278 at-bats for New Orleans. 3-for-20 in the majors. The bat is going to be a big problem, and he only ranked this high due to the weakness of the system. Baseball America had him fifth.

8) Scott Cousins, OF, Grade C+:  7-for-58 for the Marlins (.135) with six walks and 21 strikeouts, used mostly as a pinch-hitter. That's a tough role for anyone, especially a rookie. Out much of the year with a back injury.

9) Jose Ceda, RHP, Grade C+:  1.36 ERA with 53/13 K/BB in 40 innings for New Orleans, 30 hits, 24 saves. Should take important role in major league pen next year.

10) Jhan Marinez, RHP, Grade C+:  4.27 ERA with 62/36 K/BB in 46 innings for Jacksonville, 42 hits. Outstanding K/IP ratio, strong stuff, too many walks.

11) Marcell Ozuna, OF, Grade C+:  .263/.326/.471 with 17 homers, 36 walks, 100 strikeouts, 13 steals in 399 at-bats for Greensboro at age 20. Power obvious, will need work with the strike zone but I like the ceiling.

12) Tom Koehler, RHP, Grade C+: 5.19 ERA with 86/65 K/BB in 120 innings for New Orleans, 114 hits. I felt he was a significant sleeper but he hasn't done much in Triple-A, too many walks for a guy without plus velocity.

13) Kyle Skipworth, C, Grade C:  .193/.261/.295 with seven homers, 28 walks, 126 strikeouts in 322 at-bats. 21% of runners caught. At this point I see no reason to be optimistic at all about Skipworth. He's still young at 21 but he's made no progress.

14) Arquimedes Caminero, RHP, Grade C: Out all year.

15) Edgar Olmos, LHP, Grade C:  5.12 ERA with 84/62 K/BB in 104 innings for Jupiter, 125 hits. I felt he was capable of much better than this, but there are no real positives statistically and secondary pitches have not advanced.

16) Evan Reed, RHP, Grade C: Injured most of the year.

17) Sandy Rosario, RHP, Grade C: 4.24 ERA with 45/17 K/BB in 47 innings for Jacksonville, 52 hits, 22 saves. Not a bad year but he turns 26 this month, old for the level.

18) Mark Canha, 1B-OF, Grade C:  .276/.374/.529 with 19 homers, 44 walks, 68 strikeouts in 293 at-bats for Greensboro. Solid numbers, not young for the Sally League at age 22.

19) Bryan Petersen OF, Grade C:  .351/.434/.569 with 11 homers, 36 walks, 41 strikeouts in 248 at-bats for New Orleans.  .224/.280/.328 in 67 major league at-bats, four walks, 13 strikeouts. Nothing left to prove in the minors.

20) J.T. Realmuto, C, Grade C: Hitting .285/.352/.415 with five homers, 22 walks, 56 strikeouts in 260 at-bats for Greensboro. 39% of runners caught is a good mark, but has made 10 errors and given up 18 passed balls in 59 defensive games, unacceptable numbers. Just 20, has time to improve.

I felt this was a pretty boring filled-with-Grade-C list pre-season. Dunn has done well and I like Yelich. Dominguez could win gold gloves if he hits enough to stay in the lineup. Petersen and Ceda could help next year if given opportunities.