19. Brett Sinkbeil

19. Brett Sinkbeil -RHP - 6'3 - 190lbs
(last year: 4)

Brett Sinkbeil originally caught the eye of the Marlins in the summer of 2005 when he had a strong Cape Cod summer league campaign. The Marlins kept an eye on him in his senior season at Missouri State and he didn't disappoint. In his final season with the Bears, Brett went 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 11 starts. He tossed one complete game, and logged 69 2/3 innings. He struck out 75 and walked 23, with opponents batting just .184 against him. He actually fell a bit in the draft because he missed three weeks due to a strained oblique. The Marlins grabbed him with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft and quickly signed him for $1.525mil.

In his first pro season for the Marlins, he showed plenty of promise. Opposing batters in short-season Jamestown hit just .192 off of him, but he got hit a bit harder in Greensboro. Not one to make excuses, it was a long full season for Sinkbeil, and that obviously showed as his velocity started to decrease in Greensboro as he was hit at a tune of .290 by opposing hitters. Even with his issues in Greensboro, the Marlins decided to let him start the 2007 season at high-A Jupiter. With the Hammerheads, 'Sink' went 6-4 with a 3.42era and a 1.22whip. His numbers were fine but he only got in 79 innings because of elbow and lower back injuries. The lower back injury cost him six weeks towards the end of the year. In order to get some more work in, the Marlins sent him to the Hawaii Winter Baseball League. With the North Shore Honu, Brett went 3-1 with a 1.64era and a .178baa in 33 innings of work.

After a strong showing in Hawaii, big things were expected of Sinkbeil in Double-A Carolina. To say he was a massive disappointment would be quite the understatement. He got hit hard all year, giving up a .306 batting average against. After a strong April, he got knocked around in May and June, before a great July followed by an awful August. His hits per 9 increased along with his walks as well. His strikeouts per 9 reached its lowest yet at 4.1. His 1.56whip was the worst of his career as well.

Sinkbeil throws a sinking fastball in the low 90s that can hit 95 on occasion. His slider is one of the best in the Marlins system. His changeup is up and coming as well. Some believe he still has number 2 starter potential, but those voices aren’t as loud after his Double-A performance. Brett will more than likely begin the season in Triple-A New Orleans and if he reverts back to form, he could see some time in the majors at some point in 2009. More importantly, he needs to figure out how to get hitters out again.