Horatio thinks he is cool, but he really isn't. At least not as cool as the Marlins farm system will be in 2006..
Florida Marlins Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review
1) Jeremy Hermida, OF
Hit .293/.457/.518 in Double-A, then .293/.383/.634 in 23 games in the majors. I don't think he will slug .600 in a full season right away, but he has star written all over him.
2) Scott Olsen, LHP
6-4, 3.92 in 14 starts for Double-A Carolina, with 94/27 K/BB in 80 innings, then went 1-1, 3.98 in 20 innings for the Marlins, 21/10 K/BB. A fine young pitcher. Main concern like all young pitchers is health.
3) Taylor Tankersley, LHP
Went 2-7, 5.18 in 12 starts for Class A Greensboro, then 1-0, 3.38 in four starts for Class A Jupiter, combined 82/34 K/BB in 90 innings. Successful full-season debut overall, but will need to make Double-A adjustment in '06.
4) Jason Vargas, LHP
Went 5-5, 4.03 in 13 starts for the Marlins after being promoted from Double-A, with 59/31 K/BB in 74 innings. Held his own in the majors with just three starts of Double-A under his belt. The Marlins have the foundation of another strong pitching staff.
5) Chris Resop, RHP
2.57 with 24 saves for Carolina, 56/16 K/BB in 49 innings. Hit hard in major league action (8.47 ERA in 15 games) but will get more chances in middle relief. Just 22 years old, could use some Triple-A time.
6) Logan Kensing, RHP
Was pitching well in Double-A, going 4-1, 3.18 in 7 starts, then promoted to the majors and was hammered (11.12 ERA in 3 games). This is the second year in a row that they have rushed him to the Show with bad results. Season ended early due to elbow and shoulder soreness, so at this point his status is unclear.
7) Josh Willingham, C-1B
Limited to 66 games in Triple-A due to injuries, but hit the hell out of the ball at .324/.455/.676. Sure, thin PCL air helps, but he looks like a legitimate hitter to me. Now he just needs a job.
8) Jason Stokes, 1B
Limited to just 13 games in Triple-A by injuries. Following the Ron Wright career path, unfortunately.
9) Yorman Bazardo, RHP
Continues to impress scouts with arm strength, although his K/IP marks remain not-that-great. Went 8-7, 3.99 with 73/36 K/BB in 108 innings in Double-A, then traded to Seattle.
10) Eric Reed, OF
Speed demon, stole 40 bases between Carolina and Albuquerque. Combined to hit .276/.316/.339. Lack of power and weak on-base skills limit his value.
11) Josh Johnson, RHP
12-4, 3.87 in 26 starts for Carolina, 113/50 K/BB in 140 innings. Another solid pitching prospect, but I think he will need some Triple-A before being truly ready for the majors.
12) Brad Davis, C
Hit just .228/.285/.360 for Class A Greensboro. Lack of power and poor strike zone judgment are serious issues, and his prospect status will fade quickly unless he improves soon.
13) Adam Bostick, LHP
Combined 8-8, 4.11 in 26 starts between Jupiter and Carolina, 133/61 K/BB in 136 innings. Usually posts strong K/IP ratios, but held back by mediocre command. A sleeper if he throws more strikes.
14) Randy Messenger, RHP
3.88 ERA in 39 games for Albuquerque, 5.35 ERA with 29/30 K/BB in 37 innings for the Marlins. Has a chance as a middle reliever if he can improve his control.
15) Trevor Hutchinson, RHP
Missed entire campaign due to rotator cuff surgery.
16) Chris Aguila, OF
Hit .355/.412/.630 in 35 games for Albuquerque, then .244/.272/.282 in 65 games, 78 at-bats for the Marlins. He can do better than that, but at age 26 his window is closing.
17) Ron Belizario, RHP
Injured.
18) Luke Hagerty, LHP
Returned to Cubs under Rule 5. Pitched for Boise in the Northwest League and was unspeakably horrid, allowing 30 walks and 14 hits in 6.2 innings of work. Very likely finished as a prospect.
19) Robert Andino, SS
Hit .269/.324/.357 with 22 steals for Carolina. Best attributes right now are speed and youth at age 21, but he needs more time with the bat.
20) Josh Wilson, SS
Hit .257/.323/.435 with 17 homers and 17 steals for Albuquerque. Has some power and speed, but overall offensive production was not that good considering league/park context.
Obviously the 2006 list will look considerably different thanks to the recent blockbuster trades.
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