A Minor Review of 2008: The Marlins

The Graduate: Chris Volstad | Born: September 1986 | Right-Handed Pitcher

Chris Volstad has always had a high profile as a former first round selection (16th overall) out of high school in 2005. He posted solid – but unspectacular – minor league numbers, mainly because of a low strikeout rates due to a reliance on the groundball. As he matures as a pitcher, he may strikeout more batters. Volstad allowed 193 hits in 168 2007 minor league innings, but rebounded to allow just 76 hits in 84.1 Major League innings. At 6-8 and 225 pounds, he has the body to be a workhorse for years to come and could be a more dominating Major League pitcher, than minor league, due to improved defence behind him.

The Riser: Logan Morrison | Born: August 1987 | First Baseman

I can hear the questions already: Why didn’t you pick Michael Stanton for ‘The Riser?’ Well, Stanton had an amazing year but he also had a higher prospect profile as a former second round pick. Logan Morrison, despite a pretty solid 2007 season in A-ball, was still underestimate by many at the beginning of 2008 – but no more. The former 22nd round selection, who spent the majority of the season as a 20-year-old in High-A ball, hit .332/.402/.494 in 488 at-bats. Average-wise, Morrison had a BABIP of .291 in 2007 and .377 in 2008, so his potential is probably somewhere in the middle. He also has impressive power and posted an ISO rate of .216 in 2007 and .162 in 2008.

The Tumbler: Brett Sinkbeil | Born: December 1984 | Right-Handed Pitcher

Baseball is a funny game. Brett Sinkbeil was supposed to be the “safe college pick” to off-set a number of prep pitchers that were taken by the Marlins early on in the 2006 draft. Well, Sinkbeil spent the 2008 season scuffling in Double-A, while a number of those “risky picks” made it to Florida, including Chris Volstad and Ryan Tucker. Sinkbeil allowed 172 hits in 143.1 innings and posted rates of 3.20 BB/9 and 4.14 K/9.

The ’08 Draft Pick: Brad Hand | Born: March 1990 | Left-Handed Pitcher

While first round selection – and fellow prep pick – Kyle Skipworth struggled offensively in his debut, second rounder Brad Hand raised some eyebrows with his solid debut. He ended the season in the New York Penn League, which is mainly populated by college draft picks. Overall, Hand allowed 36 hits in 47.1 innings and posted rates of 4.00 BB/9 and 8.77 K/9. He already touches 93 mph, which is encouraging for a young lefty, and his secondary pitches show a lot of promise. Give Brad a hand (OK, I couldn’t resist).

The ’09 Sleeper: Jeff Allison | Born: November 1984 | Right-Handed Pitcher

Josh Hamilton has shown that there is a possibility for a baseball life after drugs, and Jeff Allison is hoping to tell a similar story. The former 2003 first round selection appeared in just 25 games in five seasons while battling his demons. He returned for his first full pro season at the age of 23. His stuff is nowhere as dominating as it used to be but he battled on the mound while posting a 5.22 ERA in 120.2 innings. Allison allowed 122 hits, and posted rates of 4.25 BB/9 and 5.15 K/9. He is learning how to pitch without his best stuff.

Up Next: The Texas Rangers