Marlins Prospect Report: 7-31-2011

From the 31st of July, here are some updates from the so-called prospects that occupy the Marlins farm system…

High-A Jupiter (3-0 loss to Daytona)

Chad James: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K and lowered his ERA to 3.38

It’s been a slow road so far for the former 1st rounder. The change from pitching weekly to every fifth day has certainly taken it’s toll as James hasn’t had the velocity or arm speed that scouts dreamed on when watching him in his hometown high school in Yukon, OK. James, however, is pitching great this year and his stuff is starting to develop more swing-and-misses than ever before. He’s still only 20 years of age and while he’s improved, confidence seems to be playing a major role in his success as well.

Low-A Greensboro (13-1 loss to Savannah)

Noah Perio: 1-3 with a triple and a walk and raised his average up to .298

Although he’s only getting on base just 30% of the time, Perio has shown decent plate approach this season with an improved eye at the plate. Although he lacks power, he hits the ball to all fields and has pretty good speed. He’s a second baseman by definition, and many see him potentially remaining on the right side of the diamond despite some troubles with the glove.

Marcell Ozuna: 0-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts. Lowered his average to .243

Ozuna has a very wild swing and one that has been known to often flail at almost anything. He has terrible discipline, but doesn’t whiff at balls in his happy zone. He has above average power and might even be able to make a case for most raw power in the organization. Over his last 550 or so at-bats, Ozuna has 38 home runs. For a hitter having played in Jamestown and Greensboro over that span, that amount of power is extremely rare. To put that in to context, most New York Penn Leaguers don’t eclipse the 15 home run plateau since they are often raw and not advanced but also to the fact that the Penn League lasts just over two months. Ozuna hit 22 last year and 16 so far this year with yet another month to go.

Christian Yelich: 0-2 with a strikeout

Yelich hasn’t disapointed one bit. Having been selected in the first round last year by the Fish, Yelich is already showing why the Marlins scouts were spot on with their expectations of him. While he’s still got plenty of years to go (which includes even more development), he’s easily the best prospect currently in the system and it’s scary to imagine what kind of progression he’ll display as he rises through the system. Yelich has a quick bat with total z0ne control and even some pop, qualities that certainly lack elsewhere in the Marlins system.

Low-A Jamestown (11-5 loss to Staten Island)

Marquise Cooper: 3-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI

Marquise was one of the guys I projected bigtime coming out of the 2009 draft. I loved the tools, and while things haven’t turned out to be what some had expected thus far, he’s still young with tons to dream on. While a raw and currently lousy baserunner, Cooper has tons of speed and gets up the line rather quick. The bat is far and may not even ever make it’s way to a Major League lineup, but the bat speed is there. He’s toolsy and the odds are against him, but Marquise Cooper has shown glimpses of what could be a fine Major League ballplayer. Tonight was one of those nights.