2014 IBC Marlins Top 20 Prospects

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2014 IBC Marlins Top 20 Prospects

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With exactly 20 guys on my roster that don't meet the MLB thresholds to qualify as rookies, now seemed like as good a time as any to rank them...

2014 IBC Miami Marlins Top 20 Prospects



1. Eddie Butler, RH SP (Rockies)

After ripping through 3 levels on his way to the second-best ERA in the minors (1.80), Butler has emerged as one of the top RH pitching prospects in the game. The 2012 supplemental 1st round pick features 3 plus pitches (FB, SL, CH) with exceptional movement. Butler's combination of swing-and-miss stuff with his ability to generate ground balls at a high rate make him a good candidate to continue his success in the thin air of Denver. He profiles as a front-of-the-rotation starter who some believe could crack the Colorado rotation by May. MLB ETA: 2014.

2. Wilmer Flores, 2B (Mets)

In 2013 Flores continued to do what he's always done best - hit the baseball - posting a .321|.357|.531 line at AAA. He finished second in the PCL in OPS (.887) despite being the league's second-youngest player at 21, earning his first taste of the big leagues with a late-season call-up to New York where he logged time at both 2B and 3B. Mets GM Sandy Alderson recently said Flores could get a look at SS in spring training. A move back to his original position and an increase in defensive versatility would certainly boost to Flores's chances of filling a prominent role with the Mets this season. Flores will fill a utility/ pinch-hitter role for the IBC Marlins in 2014. MLB ETA: Debuted in 2013.

3. Alex Reyes, RH SP (Cardinals)

Born and raised in the US, the athletic and highly projectable righty skirted draft rules by briefly moving to DR to live with family before earning the Cardinals' highest bonus to an international player since Carlos Martinez when he signed last December. Featuring 2 plus pitches (FB, CB) with the possibility of a third (CH), he consistently hits 97 with his heater. Currently profiles as a No. 2/3 SP, but his power arm and projectable, athletic frame are the stuff GMs dream about. After performing well in his short Rookie-league stint last season, many observers have Reyes tabbed for a breakout 2014. MLB ETA: 2016.

4. Chad Bettis, RH SP (Rockies)

After missing all of 2012 due to injury, Bettis re-established himself as a prospect with a solid 2013 that included his MLB debut. Though some see him in a closing role eventually, he has the stuff to profile as a mid-rotation starter and will compete for a rotation spot in Colorado in the spring. Either way, he's likely to make an impact for the Rockies this season. MLB ETA: Debuted in 2013.

5. Ryan McMahon, 3B (Rockies)

My first-round pick in the just-completed IBC draft, McMahon offers middle-of-the-order upside with his LH bat, and has the defensive tools to remain at 3B as he climbs the ladder. MLB ETA: 2016.

6. Jason Adam, RH SP (Royals)

The big righty's durable body-type, mid-90s fastball and solid mix of secondary pitches screams "mid-rotation workhorse starter." Adam made a mechanical adjustment after a terrible April and posted a solid 3.82 ERA/ 1.24 WHIP the rest of the way in the AA Texas League. MLB ETA: 2015.

7. Johnny Hellweg, RH SP (Brewers)

6'9" power arm needs to harness his big stuff and throw strikes if he wants to repeat his AAA success at the major league level and compete for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation. Hellweg has a shot to contribute to the Brewers staff as a starter or late-inning reliever in 2014. MLB ETA: Debuted in 2013.

8. Jairo Labourt, LH SP (Blue Jays)

The strong, big-bodied 19 year-old Dominican southpaw has the arm and remaining projection to profile as a #3 starter down the road. If he refines his secondary pitches and continues to post high K and GB rates, his star could rise rapidly. MLB ETA: 2017.

9. Chance Sisco, C (Orioles)

The 61st overall pick by the Orioles last June for his smooth lefthanded swing, Sisco performed well in the Rookie-level GCL, posting a .371/.475/.464 line in his pro debut. Relatively new to the position, he'll need to develop his receiving skills and keep hitting to move up prospect lists. MLB ETA: 2017.

10. Matt Olson, 1B (Athletics)

The 6'4" left-handed hitting 1B, a 2012 supplemental 1st round pick by Oakland, discovered his power stroke in his first full season of pro ball. Olson slugged the second=most HR in the Class A Midwest league (23) despite being one of that league's younger players at 19. MLB ETA: 2016.

11. Samir Duenez, 1B/OF (Royals)

17-year old lefthanded-hitting Venezuelan is a natural hitter with exceptional hand-eye coordination and developing power that should play at 1B or in a corner OF spot. MLB ETA: 2017.

12. Jayson Aquino, LH SP (Rockies)

Talented southpaw features advanced secondary stuff for his age (21) and the potential to develop 3 plus pitches. Aquino profiles as a #3/4 starter with some projection remaining on his fastball, but has some development ahead of him. MLB ETA: 2016.

13. Akeem Bostick, RH SP (Rangers)

Raw but extremely projectable righthander showed scouts and managers in the Rookie-level Arizona league enough to be tabbed as the league's top pitching prospect by BA. Bostick has some work to do learning to pitch, but a near-unlimited ceiling based on his athleticism. MLB ETA: 2017.

14. Blake Snell, LH SP (Rays)

A big lefty with a mid-90s FB and two potential above-average secondary pitches (SL/CH), Snell's ability to generate both K's and groundball outs gives him the considerable ceiling of a #2/3 starter if everything breaks right. Needs to work on his control in 2014. MLB ETA: 2016.

15. Carlos Salazar, RH SP (Braves)

With a fastball featuring late life and already touching 97, Salazar may not have a lot of projection remaining, but already has the build to maintain his velocity. If the prep righty drafted this year refines some of his secondary pitches, he could break out in short-season ball in 2014. MLB ETA: 2017.

16. Eric Surkamp, LH SP (White Sox)

A move to the White Sox organization from SF should finally give Surkamp, owner of a 2.84 ERA and 10.0 K/IP in 484 career minor league IP, an extended shot in the major leagues. His success at AAA bodes well for the lefty's ability to get outs as a back-of-the-rotation starter or long reliever in Chicago. Surkamp will be lefthanded starter/ long-relief depth for the IBC Marlins this season. MLB ETA: Debuted in 2011.

17. Cody Reed, LH SP (Royals)

The strong-armed lefty's raw stuff needs refinement, but Reed already features a good slider that can be nasty at times. A Royals' 2bd round pick last June, he has the stuff and athleticism to be a mid-rotation starter, but could move more quickly as a high-leverage reliever. MLB ETA: 2017.

18. Francisco Peguero, OF (Orioles)

The speedy Dominican centerfielder plays exceptional defense and posted a solid .316|.354|.408 line at AAA this year, but never got an extended look with the Giants. He'll aim to contribute in Baltimore as a 4th outfielder this season, and as a defensive replacement/ pinch-runner on the IBC Marlins bench. MLB ETA: Debuted in 2012.

19. Jefry Rodriguez, RH SP (Nationals)

A converted shortstop, this 6'5" Dominican righthander can already dial his fastball up to 98 and features a power curve despite relatively little experience on the mound. MLB ETA: 2017.

20. Jeff Walters, RH RP (Mets)

Walters came out of nowhere to tear up the AA Eastern League in a relief role in 2013. His ridiculous 3.51 ERA ZiPs projection means he'll provide middle-relief depth for the IBC Marlins in 2014. MLB ETA: 2014.
Last edited by Orioles on Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:57 am, edited 6 times in total.

2023 GM Totals: 1780 W - 1460 L | 0.549 wpct | 89-73 (avg 162 G record)
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Post by Orioles »

Updated (with comments for every player)

2023 GM Totals: 1780 W - 1460 L | 0.549 wpct | 89-73 (avg 162 G record)
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