The Marlins system has produced a lot in the last few years, but don’t expect much next year. Strong years from James and Realmuto were the bright spots this year.
1. Christian Yelich, OF
Yelich is a very fundamentally sound hitter. Posted an impressive .312/.388/.484 in his first full season. He has a chance to play CF, given his decent speed. Even if he ends up at a corner, Yelich will high for a strong average and OBP to go with 20 HR power.
2. Chad James, LHP
Went from 5.12 BB/9 in 2010 to 3.07 BB/9 in 2011. Huge improvement in James weakest area. Fastball reaches the mid-90′s and has a strong curve and change as well. Great 3 pitch mix and has a no. 2 ceiling.
3. Matt Dominguez, 3b
Disappointing year for last year’s no. 1 prospect. Does not do anything great, but should be a league average hitter for the position. Power potential will be determining factor moving forward.
4. J.T. Realmuto, C
Strong first full season with a .284/.345/.451 line. Recently moved behind the plate because of athletic ability and strong arm. Bat doesn’t have great upside, but could be slightly above average and strong behind to plate. Approach could use some work.
5. Jose Fernandez, RHP
The Marlins 1st round pick has strong upside, but may not be the 19 yrs old he claims. His fastball reaches the mid-90′s and has shown a strong 12-6 curve. He has shown a slider and changeup as well. Has no. 2 starter upside.
6. Marcell Ozuna, OF
Ozuna has potential to crush the baseball, and has at times. Strong .216 ISO and .484 SLG%. Cut strikeouts by large amount from last year, but still has a long way to go. Will end up in RF and has huge upside at the plate.
7. Mark Canha, 1B/LF
Canha is the top power hitter in the system and showed why in 2011, hitting 25 HRs in the SAL. Strikes out a large amount, but has also shown the ability to walk consistently, with a .374 OBP this season. Players from major college programs like Canha (Cal) should hit the lower levels. Will need to prove he can hit better pitching.
8. Rob Rasmussen, LHP
Low 90′s fastball, mix of 5 pitches, including above average slider. Walked 4.31 per 9 IP this season, which needs to come down. Mechanical issues leading to the walks, good chance he ends up in the pen.
9. Brad Hand, LHP
Posted a respectable ERA in AA, but K/BB needs improvement, as the control could use some work. Throws three strong pitches, highlighted by a curve that makes lefties struggle. Mid rotation upside.
10. Mason Hope, RHP
Hope was not even the best pitcher on his high school pitching staff, but there is no shame in that when 1st round pick Archie Bradley is ahead of you. Throws a solid low-90′s fastball and a very impressive curve. Pitched well in 27 innings in the GCL, with a 31/7 K/BB. My favorite 2011 Marlins draft pick.
11. Jake Smolinski, 3B/OF
Barely posted a .700 OPS this season, but does some things well. This season, Smolinski walked more times than he struck out. Weak AVG mostly chalked up to .269 BABIP. A sound hitter with a line drive swing/approach, Smolinski will need to show he can hit for fringe power, if he expects to make it.
12. Omar Poveda, RHP
Poveda played well in first season back from TJ. Threw 156 IP and walked just 3.11 per 9. Upside is low, with a low 90′s fastball and average curve. Could see some time in the rotation next season.
13. Charlie Lowell, LHP
Does a lot of things well and has an ideal pitchers frame. Fastball reaches the mid-90′s and throws a solid slider. Lowell has good control of his pitches and could end up a no. 3 starter.
14. Noah Perio, 2B
Perio is a strong athlete and has a good line drive swing. He lacks the size to hit for much power, but a .406 SLG is respectable for a middle IF prospect. He’ll always hit for a strong AVG, given his ability to make consistent contact, but will need to take more pitches.
15. Sandy Rosario, RHP
Strong bullpen arm with a fastball in the upper-90′s and an above average slider at 90. Strong control for the fastball, walking 3.2 per 9 IP this season. Should be in the Marlin pen most of next season.
16. Adam Conley, LHP
Marlins 2nd round pick throws a solid fastball in the low-90′s, but has clocked higher at times. The offspeed pitches are a concern. Conley’s slider is weak, though he does throw a solid change. If slider does not develop, will likely end up in pen.
17. Kyle Skipworth, C
No matter which way you cut it, Skipworth has been a disappointment since turning pro. Barely posted a .600 OPS in AA. Has always showed an impressive swing at the plate, but the discipline has showed little progress. Has a good chance of staying behind the plate.
18. Jose Ceda, RHP
Electric fastball, consistently in the upper-90′s and an above average slider. Control has always been the issue, but Ceda posted a 2.95 BB/9 IP this season. Will be determining factor in major league bullpen.
19. Isaac Galloway, OF
Galloway has had plenty of injury issues, but little excuse this season. He posted a sub-.700 OPS and struck out almost 10 times per walk. There is a good chance he plays CF and has the tools to be a stronger hitter. Approach needs much work.
20. Joey O’Gara, RHP
hard not to like a pitcher who is 6-7 and consistently produces groundballs. O’Gara does not walk many hitters, but fails to strike out many as well. Likely will end up in the back of a rotation.