Florida Marlins Top 20 Prospects

A Good Investment

FLORIDA MARLINS TOP 20 PROSPECTS

1. Jeremy Hermida, OF, Grade A
   
2. Anibal Sanchez, RHP, B+
   
3. Scott Olsen, LHP, B+
   
4. Yusmeiro Petit, RHP, B+
   
5. Chris Volstad, RHP, B+
   
6. Josh Willingham, C-1B, B
   
7. Aaron Thompson, LHP, B
   
8. Ricky Nolasco, RHP, B
   
9. Gaby Hernandez, RHP, B
   
10. Hanley Ramirez, SS, B
    
11. Travis Bowyer, RHP, B (grade change from book)
    
12. Josh Johnson, RHP, B-
    
13. Sean West, LHP, B-
    
14. Chris Resop, RHP, B-
    
15. J.T. Restko, OF, B-
    
16. Kris Harvey, 3B-OF, B-
    
17. Mike Jacobs, 1B, C+
    
18. Reynel Pinto, LHP, C+
    
19. Ryan Tucker, RHP, C+
    
20. Brad McCann, 1B, C+

The winter salary dump has obviously had a huge impact here. Lots of depth in pitching. Note that there are lots of promising prospects not in the Top 20. Guys like Jeff Allison, Robert Andino, Matt Goyen, Brett Hayes, Jacob Marceaux, Randy Messenger, Grant Psomas, Jason Stokes, Taylor Tankersley, Scott Tyler, and Dan Uggla would all make the Top 20 list for many organizations.

I'm changing Travis Bowyer from a B+ in the book to a straight Grade B, after poor reports about the status of his breaking ball in the Arizona Fall League. I've talked with some baseball folks who believe that the Twins picked exactly the right time to trade Bowyer, when his value was at its highest.

I don't know what to make of Hanley Ramirez any more. His tools are excellent, and he flashes skills, but his track record just doesn't support a higher rating than Grade B right now, at least in my mind.