11. Aaron Thompson

11. Aaron Thompson - LHP - 6'3 - 195lbs
(last year: 3)

Aaron Thompson was taken with the 22nd overall pick in the 2005 draft by the Marlins. He was awarded with a $1.225mil bonus. Most believed he would be a tough sign because he had committed to Texas A&M early on, but things changed once the Aggies fired their coaching staff, and Aaron then signed with the Fish. After struggling in his first couple of professional outings, he came back strong in his Jamestown campaign with a 3.10era in just over 20 innings. The 6'3 left-hander spent the 2006 season at low-A Greensboro and showed much promise in what is considered a hitter friendly league. Thompson went 8-8 with a 3.63era and a 1.30whip in 134 innings of work. The longball was a bit of a problem as he gave up 12, but he did strikeout 114 compared to just 35 walks. 2007 was a minor breakout for him. Aaron battled with shoulder tendonitis early on but still went 4-6 with a 3.37era and a 1.36whip in 115 innings of work in high-A Jupiter. He gave up just 2 homeruns, while walking 35 and striking out 84. What was most impressive from his 2007 performance was his consistency from month to month. Besides June where he had a 4.05era, his era in every other month was 3.67 or better.

Thompson took a major step backwards in 2008 while in Carolina. He dealt with injuries much of the year and when he was healthy he showed little command. His strikeouts plummeted and he gave up well over a hit per inning. Like many finesse left-handers, Thompson has garnered plenty of comparisons to Tom Glavine. Thompson’s fastball sits at 89-91mph and his three secondary pitches, changeup, curveball and slider, are all solid. His curveball has the most potential out of those pitches. All four of his pitches have the potential to be (or are already) plus pitches. Aaron has shown good poise, savvy and competitiveness on the mound. He also showed a much improved pick-off move at first base, and was good at holding runners. He has a projectile frame, and should add strength and muscle in the near future. With this added strength, his pitches should have improved velocity as well.

Most would say that Thompson is near his ceiling as a #3 or 4 starter. I believe with the improvement of all four of his pitches, his ceiling is much closer to being a #2 than in being a #4. He's about as developed as much as a 21 year old can be and he will spend much, if not all of the 2009 season in Triple A New Orleans. This is an important season for Aaron has he needs to rebound of a terrible 2008. If he can turn things around, he could have a shot at a starting rotation spot in 2010. If he continues to struggle, he could end up in the bullpen sooner than later.

12. Scott Cousins

12. Scott Cousins - Rightfield - 6'2 - 190lbs - Throws: Left - Bats: Left
(last year: 10)

The Marlins drafted Scott Cousins five picks after Torre Langley in the 3rd round of the 2006 draft. A two-way player from the University of San Francisco, the Marlins were drawn to him as a sophomore when he hit .309/.398/.457 for the Dons. His two-way talents and efforts in leading San Francisco into the West Coast Conference championship series had scouts and cross-checkers flocking to see him. He has drawn quite a few comparisons in his overall game to former Marlins centerfielder Mark Kotsay. Scott actually fell in the draft after missing five starts due to elbow tendinitis. The Marlins felt lucky to get him so late.

With the Grasshoppers in 2007, Cousins got off to a horrible start hitting .246 in April and then .250 in May. Things finally clicked as the temperatures rose. He hit .338, .315, and .330 to end the season. Not only was he getting hits, but he was showing much better plate discipline and his power showed up as well. It was then that a scout gave this quote on Scott: “this guy has easy loft power . . . this is Chipper Jones, this is Daryl Strawberry kind of easy-swing loft power. You get some guys that just power balls out with a hack swing, but this guy is loose.”

Scott spent most of 2008 in Jupiter where he showed good power in a very good pitcher’s park and league. He would miss nearly two months after crashing into a wall trying to make a catch over his shoulder and smashing up his knee. Cousins spent time in the AFL where he hit .297/.385/.624 in 101 at bats with the Solar Sox.

Scott has an outstanding work ethic and is a no nonsense batter at the plate. He has fantastic speed(6.8-60 yard dash), to go with good and range and great instincts. Most believe he will be a fine centerfielder but with his improving strength, there are some who suggest he will become a prototype right fielder. Scott will more than likely open up the season in the New Orleans outfield, although he was invited to big league camp for the first time. He should be one of the first cuts, with 2010 being his first chance to fight for a starting spot in the Marlins outfield.

13. Brad Hand

13. Brad Hand - LHP - 6'2 - 185lbs
(last year: NR)

The Marlins drafted left-handed pitcher Brad Hand in the 2^nd round of the 2008 draft out of Chaska High School in Minnesota. Hand was the biggest high school prospect sensation among scouts since Joe Mauer and the Marlins felt fortunate to be able to sign him for $760,000.

Hand had an impressive debut split between the Gulf Coast league and Jamestown. In the two spots, he went a combined 3-2 with a 2.64era in 47.2 innings of work. He struck out 46 while walking 21 and holding opposing hitters to a .211 average.

He throws a fastball anywhere from 88-92mph with late life, while his curveball and changeup have plus potential. Brad is pretty athletic for a pitcher, having played both football and hockey in high school. He can also swing the bat a bit as he played first base on the days when he wasn’t pitching. His mechanics are a bit off has his delivery is quite violent and could lead to arm injuries in the future. The Marlins aren’t too concerned at this point as they begin to smooth out his routine.

Because of his youth, Hand might spend the first few months of the year in extended spring training before moving up to Greensboro midway through the year. Then again, the Marlins haven’t held players back in the past so he could open up 2009 in Greensboro if they feel like pushing him.

14. Jake Smolinski

14. Jake Smolinski - Shortstop - 5'11 - 185lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Right
(last year: NR)

Jake Smolinski was drafted by the Nationals in the 2^nd round of the 2007 amateur draft. With a commitment to Clemson where he would try to play both quarterback on the football team, and shortstop on the baseball team, it took the Nats offering $452,500 to get Jake to sign.

He had an impressive debut as an 18 year old in the Gulf Coast League, hitting .305/.387/.410 in 105 at bats. Unfortunately, his season was cut short after he fouled a ball of his foot and suffered a small break. Smolinski split time in 2008 between the GCL, Vermont and Hagerstown, having most of his success in Vermont. Again his season was cut short as he suffered a knee injury late in the season and would be out six to eight months.

He lacks the range to play shortstop in pro ball, so Washington put him in left field. Early Marlins rumors suggest they may give him a longer look at shortstop before making his final destination left field. His setup and stance are quiet and balanced. He rarely chases pitches out of the strike zone, and punishes strikes when ahead in the count. Smolinski has good power to the gaps and figures to hit for some home run power as he matures. He’s an average runner, but because he is smart, he could steal 10 bases a year. Because of his latest knee injury, Smolinski won’t be back until late May. He should spend the entire season in Greensboro after a short stint in extended Spring Training in preparation for full season ball.

15. Eulogio de la Cruz

15. Eulogio de la Cruz -RHP - 5'11 - 175lbs
(last year: 11)

The Detroit Tigers signed Eulogio de la Cruz as an undrafted free agent back in 2001. A smaller guy, he was rated as having the best fast ball in the Tigers system (this included Joel Zumaya and Justin Verlander). He throws in the high 90s and has hit 100mph on numerous occasions. He has a fantastic curveball in the classic “knee-buckler” mode. But for all of his awesome stuff, his strikeout rate at Erie was around league average (7.5/9). Cruz, like most power pitchers, lives and dies by his control. When he’s remotely close to the plate, Eulogio can be unhittable. Because of his control problems, scouts and front offices alike were not sure if he would be better suited as a starter or in the pen . For his minor league career, he is walking 4 batters per 9 innings. Like Renyel Pinto, Cruz can get out hitter by being “effectively wild”, he just needs to remain around the plate.

Acquired in the Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis blockbuster from a season ago, Eulogio (or Frankie as his teammates call him) has as much talent as any pitcher in the Marlins organization. If he can cut the walks a bit, his overall numbers should improve as well. He was straight filthy in Erie (2007) holding both righties and lefties batting averages under .227. Upon promotion to AAA Toledo, lefties hit just .243 on him but it was righties that were knocking him all around the ballpark. While he wasn't giving up many extra base hits, right handed hitters still hit .329 off him and got on a base at a .407 clip.

The 2008 season was a mixed bag for de la Cruz. He started off terribly in Albuquerque, giving up 21 runs in 21 innings in April. He bounced back in May and June before showing signs of tiredness in July. He finished strong in August and then finished the season up in the big leagues.

Because of the question marks surrounding him as a starter or a reliever, and his control issues, he was left out of the top 10. You can't teach that kind of velocity and if he can keep those walks down he can be a productive pitcher. Even if the Marlins consider him to be a relief prospect instead, he still has a high ceiling as a closer or knockout setup man. Either way, with de la Cruz out of options, he will open up the season in the Marlins bullpen and could step in to start a game or two if the opportunity presents itself.

16. Isaac Galloway

16. Isaac Galloway - Outfield - 6'2 - 190lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Right
(last year: NR)

The Marlins took a bit of a gamble and drafted Isaac Galloway out of Los Osos HS in Rancho Cucamonga, California in the 8th round of the 2008 amateur draft. He fell in the draft because many of a disappointing senior season, not to mention the fact that he had a strong commitment to San Diego State. The Marlins felt lucky enough to sign him for $245,000.

Galloway impressed in his brief professional debut in the Gulf Coast League. In just under 200 at bats, he had 19 extra base hits and stole 4 bases. He didn’t show great discipline, walking just 4 times while striking out 33 times but being so young, that isn’t a major concern right now.

The 6’2 right-handed swinging Galloway showed off his tools in the GCL and even though he hit just one homerun, most believe he will have atleast average power. He’s a fantastic athlete, being clocked in the 6.5-6.6 range in the 60 yard dash. His plus arm and overall speed will allow him to be a very good defensive centerfielder.

Everything comes naturally to him right now and he has yet to face much adversity on the baseball fields. Scouts love his maturity at such a young age as well. Depending on how much the Marlins front office wants to push him, Ike could open up 2009 anywhere from extended spring training all the way to Low-A Greensboro.

17. Bryan Petersen

17. Bryan Petersen - Outfield - 6'0 - 200lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Left
(last year: 44)

The Marlins drafted outfielder Bryan Petersen in the 4th round of the 2007 draft out of UC Irvine. Petersen was on the 2007 College World Series All Tourney team after batting .533 in the CWS. In the summer of 2006, Bryan opened the eyes of scouts in the Alaska League after flashing plus tools in speed and power. So far though, Petersen’s raw power has not translated into game power, mainly due to the fact he bails out too soon on breaking balls out of the strike zone.

2008 was a big time breakout season for Petersen as he played in Greensboro, Jupiter and Carolina. With the Grasshoppers, Bryan hit .301/.381/.541 with 19 homeruns and 15 stolen bases. He skipped Jupiter and played in 12 games for Carolina because of a few injuries to the Mudcats outfielders. Once Cam Maybin and Co. got healthy, Petersen finished off the last 40 games in Jupiter. Although his .265 average looks brutal on the surface, he actually hit .310 over his last 116 at bats in Jupiter. The power didn’t really show up in the Florida State League, but few put up big numbers there.

Petersen actually was the second former Chatsworth HS player taken, with 1st round pick Matt Dominguez also attending CHS. Being a two way player at UC Irvine, Petersen possesses a very strong arm in the outfield and with his athleticism; he can play all three outfield positions. He is projected to be a corner outfielder, as opposed to a straight up centerfielder. Bryan has drawn comparisons in his swing to former Pirates and current Padres outfielder Brian Giles. He will more than likely begin the season in Double-A Jacksonville and with a big season, he could get a look in 2010 for an outfield spot.

18. John Raynor

18. John Raynor - Outfield - 6'2 - 185lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Right
(last year: 14)

The Marlins drafted John Raynor in the 9th round of the 2006 draft out of UNC-Wilmington. Known more for being a good athlete than a good hitter, Raynor had a solid professional debut at Jamestown in 2006. He has fantastic speed (6.3 in the 60) and uses it well on the base paths. A tough out at the plate, his splits don’t change against righties or lefties. He is solid against both types of pitchers. He has a good, short stroke allowing the bat to stay in the zone longer and allows him to make solid contact on the ball. Raynor is a fantastic bunter, and would rather keep the ball on the ground and try to beat out infield singles than swing for the fences anyway. He doesn’t have a strong arm, but he’s still considered plus defensively with the glove.

In 2007, Raynor was a dynamo atop Greensboro’s lineup. He led the South Atlantic League in runs (110) and was second in both batting average and stolen bases, while being third in on base percentage. John also took home league MVP honors. After swinging and missing at a lot of pitches in his 2006 pro debut, Raynor developed a better feel for the strike zone and worked deeper counts this season. He showed much plate discipline this year, and showed more power to the gaps than he had in his rookie year of pro ball.

JR skipped High-A Jupiter in 2008 and was thrown into the fire at Double-A Carolina. Again, Raynor failed to disappoint hitting .312/.402/.489 with 13 homeruns and 48 stolen bases. The issue with Raynor is the amount of strike outs he is racking up in the minors, striking out 122 times in 452 at bats this season. For each level of the minors he has advanced to, the amount of times he has struck out has increased.

Pundits are split on whether or not they feel that Raynor is a legitimate prospect or not. While he has put up eye-opening stats the last two seasons, the alarming rate of his increase in strikeouts has made some believe he will struggle to hit major league pitching at a high enough clip to be anything more than a fourth or fifth outfielder. John will enter Spring Training with an outside shot at being a backup outfielder with a better chance of him starting the season in New Orleans and seeing some time with the big club later in the season.

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.

20. Kyle Winters

20. Kyle Winters -RHP - 6'4 - 190lbs
(last year: 25)

Drafted out of Pomona High School in the 5th round of the 2005 draft, Kyle Winters was taken in a very tough pitching class. He was the 7th pitcher taken by the Marlins in that draft and was signed for $166,000. Kyle doesn't get the pub that Chris Volstad and Co got, but he has quietly put up solid numbers three years running. In 2006 with Jamestown, he went 6-6 with a 2.45era and a .194baa in 88.1 innings. In 2007 with Greensboro, Kyle had a 3.95era, 1.12whip and a .245baa in 111.2 innings pitched. That 3.95era might as well be a full point lower as the South Atlantic League, and especially his home park (NewBridge Bank Park) are very hard places to pitch in. Lefties hit just .219 off him. The big key with Kyle is if he can keep the ball from leaving the park. He gave up 13 homeruns this season (as opposed to just 2 in Jamestown).

Jupiter was a big step for Winters this season. He held is own going 6-4 with a 3.68era and a .242baa in 110 innings of work. He kept lefties to a .250baa while righties hit just.238 off of him. If not for a June swoon where he gave up 17 earned runs in 21 innings, Winters’ numbers would be much more impressive.

Tall, slender and athletic, Winters has a similar build and delivery as Roy Halladay and Brandon McCarthy did at the same stage of their careers. He also has excellent makeup and is projectable. His arm works easy, his fastball tops out at 92 mph with the potential for more velocity and his breaking stuff is adequate. His velocity as well as the movement on his pitches should increase as his body fills out some more. He has an above average slurvy breaking ball, with an improving changeup. His pitching style has drawn a comparison to Marlins starter Josh Johnson.

Winters is certainly a guy to watch this year to see if he can take the next step in being the Marlins best pitching prospect. He’ll be in the tough Southern League with Jacksonville and should spend the entire season as their number 1 or 2 pitcher.

21. P.J. Dean

21. P.J. Dean -RHP - 6'3 - 175lbs
(last year: NR)

It took $120,000 but the Nationals were able to sign P.J. Dean away from the Oklahoma Sooners. The 7^th round pick out of New Caney, Texas pitched well out of the gate as an 18 year old in the Gulf Coast League before tiring late in the summer. He went 3-1 with a 4.06era and a 1.23 whip in 31 innings. He walked 11, struck out 26 and gave up 27 hits.

Dean spent 2008 with Vermont short-season A ball. He dominated the NYPL with a 4-1 record, 1.57era and a whip of 0.91. In those 46 innings, he struck out 34, walked 16 and gave up just 26 hits. Because of his lean, athletic build and his clean arm action, he has drawn comparisons to former teammate Collin Balester. P.J. throws in the 89-91mph range and can touch 92 with his fastball. There’s plenty of room for projection here. His curveball is an above average pitch already, while his changeup has shown promise in his brief professional career. Coming from high school, Dean had some makeup issues but most believe he’ll mature as time goes on.

Acquired in the Scott Olsen/Josh Willingham deal, the Marlins will most likely send Dean to low-A Greensboro for his first true test of his career. He’s going to take his lumps in the hitter’s paradise that is the SALLY but the Marlins are pleased with the lone arm they got back in the deal they made back in November.

22. Graham Taylor

22. Graham Taylor -LHP - 6'3 - 226lbs
(last year: 23)

The Marlins drafted Graham Taylor in the 10th round of the 2006 draft and signed him for $10,000. He was a quick sign once he was drafted and got in 13 starts with the Jamestown Jammers. He went 3-5 with a 2.47era and a 0.96whip in 65.2 innings of work. In an environment where college players typically have more success than high school draftees, the former Miami Redhawk opened up a few eyes in his short stint in the NY-Penn League.

Graham continued doing that in 2007 with Greensboro as he was dominant all season long. In the South Atlantic League, Taylor was in the top 6 (or better) in innings pitched, era, strikeouts, walks allowed, and hits allowed. He led the league with a 0.93whip as well. The soft-tossing lefty got hit hard towards the end of the year in Jupiter, but those 10 innings are too small a sample size to read that much into it.

2008 was supposed to be a major test for Graham as he would begin the year in the Florida State League, the same place he struggled badly at to end 2007. Instead, Taylor stepped up his game and pitched fairly well in a pitcher’s league. He would earn a late season call-up to Carolina and would hold his own in 5 starts in Double A.

Taylor has ordinary stuff. He throws a 86-89mph fastball with a solid changeup and slider. What he does have is deception and that’s where all the strikeouts come from. Also is the fact that he has amazing command of all three pitches as he has walked just 60 in 404 minor league innings. Compare that to his 296 strikeouts and you wouldn’t think that we have a finesse pitcher out there. He would be rated much higher but these types of pitchers normally thrive in the lower levels of the minors. He should face an even stiffer test in the Southern League, where he finished his 2008 season at. He’s still not a huge prospect but at some point the numbers speak a bit louder than velocity does.

23. Hector Correa

23. Hector Correa -RHP - 6'3 - 165lbs
(last year: 15)

Taken in the 4th round of the 2006 amateur draft, Hector Correa was signed for $252,000. Starting off his career with the Gulf Coast League Marlins, he did not disappoint. Armed with a 91-93mph fastball and a big looping curveball, Correa made quick work of those hitters, allowing just a .244 batting average against. Obviously his secondary pitches need alot of work, and scouts believe when Hector fills out, he should throw in the mid to high 90s. It has been suggested that he scrap the curve for a slider, but at this point he is still going with his curveball.

Hector actually started off in Greensboro in 2007 but he was completely overmatched. In 8 starts he got absolutely destroyed, to a tune of a 1-5 record, with a 9.29era and a .401 batting average against. He also allowed 55 hits, with 7 of those leaving the park in those 31 innings. Correa was demoted to Jamestown and he got his confidence back. He struck out 83 in his final 58.2 innings of work, while walking just 13. All of his numbers improved after the demotion, and lefties were hitting just .216 off of him. Correa has a clean repeatable delivery, a loose arm, and a tall, lean frame that still has some projection to it because of his age. His fastball could be dynamic but he must improve his command. He has been known to pitch backwards at time, where he starts off hitters with his slider and changeup, as opposed to his fastball. He’ll benefit from challenging hitters early in the count.

The 2008 season was another step in the wrong direction. Correa battled injuries much of the year, and got hit hard in his 5 outings between the Gulf Coast League and Greensboro. The 6′3 right hander out of Puerto Rico will be continue to be moved slowly through the system as long as these injuries keep hounding him. He’s shown enough potential to where the Marlins believe they have something special on their hands if he can stay healthy enough to get some innings under his belt. He’ll more than likely open up in Greensboro yet again.