2011 Top 10 Prospects: Florida Marlins and New York Mets
by Matt HagenDecember 16, 2010
Florida Marlins: Top 10 Prospects
1. Chad James / SP / With some important graduations in 2010, Florida's system is existing on fumes. James is the best shot they have at a Top-100 prospect, and he is obviously no sure thing. He has upside in his three-pitch mix, albeit far from that of an ace.
2. Brad Hand / SP / Hand was one of the few Marlin farmhands to take a step forward in 2010. His fastball / curveball combo played to success at High-A and his command sharpened up, although he made it a habit of hitting too much of the strike zone at times, as evidenced by his hit rate.
3. Matt Dominguez / 3B / Dominguez continues to come up short with the stick. His 34 doubles were a nice addition to his stat line, and his walk rate has improved, but it's looking like, at best, he will be nothing more than average offensively as a third baseman.
4. Kyle Skipworth / C / Skipworth received the opportunity to repeat the Sally League and he took advantage, albeit to modest results. His game took a step up across the board, but he is still not making enough contact to survive higher levels.
5. Osvaldo Martinez / 2B/SS / Martinez is off many radar screens right now, but he embodies the prototypical scrappy, tough out middle infielder. Those types always make their way to the majors, and some even turn into positive regulars.
6. Marcell Ozuna / OF / Ozuna carries some serious power in his bat, and is a great one to watch from an upside perspective. Most of his game is raw, but the 20 year old has garnered a following.
7. Rob Rasmussen / SP/RP / There isn't much upside to speak of, but Rasmussen has polish and four usable pitches, although none of them stand out.
8. Christian Yelich / OF/1B / Yelich's swing doesn't impress, and his power upside is a big question mark. Florida sees something in him, however. They saw enough to reach for him in the first round and will give him a chance to impress his doubters.
9. Jhan Marinez / RP / With an impressive slider in his back pocket, Marinez has a late-inning future in Florida's bullpen. Whether or not he can be a successful closer will depend on how his body and fastball mature.
10. Tom Koehler / SP / Koehler quietly put together a stellar year at Double-A Jacksonville, and even posted an astounding strikeout rate considering his average at best stuff. He is a competitor who knows how to get guys out.
Florida Marlins: Top 10 Players Under Age 26 (as of 4/1/11)
1. Mike Stanton / OF
2. Logan Morrison / OF/1B
3. Chris Volstad / SP
4. Chris Coghlan / OF
5. Chad James / SP
6. Brad Hand / SP
7. Matt Dominguez / 3B
8. Emilio Bonifacio / 3B/OF/2B
9. Kyle Skipworth / C
10. Osvaldo Martinez / 2B/SS
New York Mets: Top 10 Prospects
1. Wilmer Flores / 3B/SS / His 36 doubles and relatively low strikeout rate are great signs for Flores, a talented teenager holding his own wherever he goes. He is the Mets' unquestioned No. 1 prospect.
2. Reese Havens / 2B/3B/SS / Havens has a well-rounded bat that could prove to be adequate enough to excel at third base, let alone a middle infield position. Health is the concern with Havens, but let's bite and take an aggressive approach.
3. Aderlin Rodriguez / 3B / Rodriguez put up some gaudy numbers in the Appalachian League and even has the makings of a solid approach at the plate. He is athletic, projectable, and, despite his current deficiencies, finds himself high up on this list.
4. Matt Harvey / RP/SP / Harvey was a wild overdraft in 2010, as his stuff and delivery seem better suited for the bullpen, where he could be a standout, rather than starting. The Mets must see something more than most do, so he finds his way into the Top 10.
5. Brad Emaus / 2B/3B/OF / Emaus came in at No. 9 on Toronto's 2011 Top-10 list before being selected by the Mets in the Rule 5 draft. Many gave up on Emaus after a lousy 2009 campaign. Still largely unheralded, Emaus stepped his all-around offensive game up a notch, displaying the skills necessary to be an asset in the majors. The rumor is that New York will give him a shot at second base, but his defense there will have to be seen to be believed.
6. Cesar Puello / OF / Puello's walk rate needs to improve dramatically, and there isn't much power to speak of, which is concerning for a projected corner outfielder, but Puello, just 19, has a steady bat and the look of a playmaker on the basepaths.
7. Cory Vaughn / OF / Vaughn opened eyes with some big power numbers in short-season ball. He showed a solid approach at the plate as well, but, given his age, will undoubtedly need to prove his worth at higher levels.
8. Jeurys Familia / SP/RP / Besides his 137 strikeouts and relatively strong groundball rate, Familia did little to help his stock. His curveball was maddeningly inconsistent and his fastball didn't take the next step. Still, youth is on his side.
9. Dillon Gee / SP / Some call Gee a junkballer, others call him crafty. He has solid command of everything he throws and knows how to compete. In the majors he could make a good back-end-of-the-rotation option.
10. Kirk Nieuwenhuis / OF / Nieuwenhuis has his place in this weak system, but gets a lot of undeserved love. He still has some upside to work with, but looks the part of a borderline platoon corner outfielder who you're always looking to replace.
New York Mets: Top 10 Players Under Age 26 (as of 4/1/11)
1. Jenrry Mejia / SP/RP
2. Wilmer Flores / 3B/SS
3. Ike Davis / 1B
4. Fernando Martinez / OF
5. Jonathon Niese / SP
6. Josh Thole / C
7. Ruben Tejada / 2B
8. Reese Havens / 2B/3B/SS
9. Aderlin Rodriguez / 3B
10. Matt Harvey / RP/SP
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