6. Gaby Sanchez

6. Gaby Sanchez - First Base - 6'2 - 225lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Right
(last year: 13)

Taken in the fourth round out of the University of Miami in 2006, Gaby Sanchez did not play for the Canes that season for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. That did not scare the Marlins away as he was signed for $250,000. In his first professional season at Jamestown, he tore it up, hitting .355/.401/.487 in just over 230 at bats. Being advanced in age, he started out 2006 in Greensboro. He hit an amazing .317/.447/.603 in 189 at bats. This earned him a promotion to High-A ball but his season took a turn for the worst when he suffered a broken hand sliding into first base. After rehabbing, he broke his foot rounding third base and that pretty much ended his season.

In 2007, his prospect status didn’t go up or down as he held his own in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Although he hit just 7 homeruns, he did have 40 doubles. While his walk rate stayed about the same, he did strikeout at a much higher pace than at any point in his career. There were some concerns that his numbers would take a nosedive in Carolina in 2008, but instead he would be named Southern League MVP. In 478 at bats with the Mudcats, Sanchez hit .314/.404/.513 with 17 homeruns and a surprising 17 stolen bases. Even more impressive were his 69 walks to just 70 strikeouts.

Sanchez has a very quick bat, and even though he is sometimes an impatient hitter, he does not strike out much for someone with his power potential. He has fantastic power to all fields and has become a walk machine as well. At this point last year, Gaby was still considered a defensive liability but hard work has turned him into an above average defensive first baseman. He has much improved footwork and his glove has impressed over the last year as well. With the departure of Mike Jacobs, it’s going to be Gaby’s job to lose in Spring Training.

7. Chris Coghlan

7. Chris Coghlan - Second Base - 6'1 - 195lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Left
(last year: 5)

Chris Coghlan was selected out of Ole Miss with the 36th overall pick in the 2006 amateur draft and was quickly signed to a $950,000 bonus. His final season at Mississippi, he hit .357/.424/.509 with 6 homeruns to go along with a 27:21 walk to strikeout ratio. Even though he never hit more than 6 homeruns in a college season, Coghlan is a polished hitter and most scouts believe he will be able to hit for a good average with a wood bat. Three summers ago in the Cape Cod League he proved them right, winning the batting title with a .326 average. Chris had a fine professional debut with Jamestown in 2006. Even though he did not show much power, his average and on base percentage were right where they should have been. Coghlan takes pride in not striking out and drawing plenty of walks. Chris made the move from the hot corner to second base a few seasons ago. The move was made possible because his arm was not quite good enough for 3b, nor was his pending power potential. Most believe he will be an above average defensive second baseman.

Chris was fantastic in low-A Greensboro in 2007, hitting .325/.419/.534 with 10 homeruns in 305 at bats. His 64rbi were good for third place in the SALLY as well. Furthermore, he had 19 stolen bases to just 4 caught, and had 47 walks to just 43 strikeouts.

Coghlan then saw a much-deserved promotion to Jupiter. As we know, Jupiter had not been kind to Marlins prospects in the past. Guys like Brad McCann, JT Restko and Gaby Sanchez have had their prospect status hurt by the Florida State League. The same happened with Chris although not to the extent as McCann or Restko. Even though his OPS was barely .600, there were some positives to look at. He still had a good walk to strikeout ratio and his isolated walk rate of .077 is still well above average. He didn't show much of anything else. The Marlins sent him to the Arizona Fall League to end the 2007 season and he showed that what happened in Jupiter was a fluke. In 73 at bats against some of the best prospects in baseball, Chris hit .329/.407/.425 with 6 extra base hits, 10 walks and just 8 strikeouts.

Following his success in the AFL, Coghlan made the leap to Double-A Carolina where he was a remarkable 2-hole hitter for the Mudcats. In 483 at bats, Chris hit .298/.396/.429 and again had more walks than strikeouts (67-65). He didn’t hit for much power but he did just about everything else right. He even stole 34 bases while being caught just 10 times.

There was talk that Coghlan would be starting at second base to begin the Marlins 2009 season but with the return of Dan Uggla for atleast this season, it would appear that Chris would spend the season in Triple-A New Orleans. The only thing holding him back right now is opportunity, as you would be led to believe that he is ready for the show.

8. Kyle Skipworth

8. Kyle Skipworth - Catcher - 6'3 - 195lbs - Throws: Right - Bats: Left
(last year: NR)

The Marlins haven’t drafted an impact catching prospect since Charles Johnson, but things may have changed with their selection of Kyle Skipworth with the 6^th overall pick of the 2008 amateur draft. The 6’3 catcher has drawn comparisons to Joe Mauer, and he signed for $2.3 million.

Skipworth struggled in his pro debut, hitting just .208/.263/.340 with 46 strikeouts in 159 at bats. That hasn’t stopped scouts from raving about him though. He has excellent bat speed and should be able to hit for both average and power as his body matures. He’s already a great receiver and has shown to be an excellent receiver with good hands and quick footwork. He has a strong and accurate arm which helped him throw out 36% of would be Gulf Coast League basestealers.

Kyle should begin the season in Low-A Greensboro, a place where hitters notoriously thrive. At this point, it will be his bat that determines how quickly he goes through the Marlins system.

9. Ryan Tucker

9. Ryan Tucker - RHP - 6'2 - 190lbs
(last year: 6)

The Marlins selected Ryan Tucker with a supplemental pick in the 2005 draft. The California native joined a pitcher heavy draft class and was signed for $975,000. He hadn’t had the same success as the other pitchers taken by the Marlins that season, but he has turned the corner the last two seasons. Before his 2007 season in Jupiter, Ryan went 7-13 with a 5.00era and a 1.45whip in 131.1 innings of work at low-A Greensboro. He was walking 4.59 batters per 9 and his control was all over the place. On the plus side, he was striking out more than a batter per inning. With the Hammerheads, he went 5-7 with a 3.52era and a 1.35whip in 138 innings of work. Although he lowered his walked by 1.5, his strikeouts decreased by 3 per. Not a bad trade-off as all his numbers improved from Greensboro. This season in Carolina, Ryan split time between starting in relieving, going a combined 5-3 with a 1.58era in 91 innings. Opposing Southern League batters hit .195 and hit just 2 homeruns off of him. He struck out 74 while walking 37.

Armed with a 92-95mph fastball that tops out at 97, Tucker has had scouts raving about him since day one. Ryan is a fantastic athlete with great competitiveness on the mound. He has a nice and easy delivery and he isn’t afraid to pitch inside. Because his fastball has always been so overpowering, he never really had even an average breaking ball. His second pitch is an average slider at this point with plenty of potential to it becoming a plus pitch. He was ordered by pitching coordinator Wayne Rosenthal to throw 10-15 sliders per game late in 2007 in order to improve it more. Some scouts suggest he is a candidate to be a future ace closer, while others still believe he could be a number 2-3 starter in the majors. Ryan can be a bit of a hot-head as he actually walked off the mound in 2007, when Jupiter pitching coach Reid Cornelius came out to talk to him. He would be suspended for doing this.

Tucker will most likely spend the beginning of the season closing in New Orleans, but could make the team out of camp if he shows control of his secondary pitches. He took a major step forward in 2008 and if that slider continues to show progress, he could be a force in 2009. The Marlins see Tucker as one of the anchors in the bullpen for the future.

10. Jose Ceda

10. Jose Ceda - RHP - 6'4 - 275lbs
(last year: NR)

The San Diego Padres signed Jose Ceda in 2004 as a non-drafted free agent. The Cubs stole him from the Padres in mid 2006 in a deal for Todd Walker. While he spent the rest of that season, and the beginning of 2007 as a starting pitcher, it was apparent that being a reliever would be his destiny. Of course that didn’t stop the Cubs from trying him out as a starting pitcher to begin 2008.

This past season, Ceda spent 15 games in the Florida State League with Daytona. He started 12 of those 15 games, going 2-2 with a 4.80era in 54.1 innings. He struck out 8.8 per 9 and had a whip of 1.27. The Cubs then promoted him to Double A Tennessee where he was strictly a reliever in 22 games. In 30.1 innings of work, he went 2-1 with a 2.08era to go with a 1.32 whip. His walks improved per 9, and his strikeouts went up to 12.5 per 9.

Since going to the bullpen full time, Ceda’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and can hit 99mph on occasion. He has a much improved slider that he has tightened up, and scouts say it could reach 65 on the 20-80 scale if he can figure out his mechanics. Weight could be an issue for Ceda, so with the Cubs and presumably with the Marlins, they will have someone make sure he keeps the extra weight off. In the past, his weight fluctuation has hurt his command of his pitches. His changeup is average at best, but being in the bullpen that won’t be much of a problem.

The Marlins acquired Jose Ceda from the Cubs this past winter in exchange for closer Kevin Gregg. Ceda will more than likely be thrown right into the fire, helping set-up closer Matt Lindstrom at the back end of games. There’s little reason to suggest that he will not be a very good bullpen arm, just as long as he can keep his weight at a manageable number.