The Marlins' organization is more than Mike Stanton...but not that much more.
Matt Dominguez - Stats
Dominguez is a prime example that the jump from A to AA is the most difficult of all, and has a line of .231/.316/.401 to prove it. In his defense, his .717 OPS is actually the exact average of the league, but it has been an unimpressive showing for the former first-rounder this season. His line drive rates are significantly lower in Double-A than they have been throughout his professional career, indicating that he just can't seem to square up the more advanced pitching.
Isaac Galloway - Stats
Each year and each promotion to a new level for Galloway leads to less contact and less production. After a 12/89 BB/K ratio last season in Low-A ball, the Marlins decided to send Galloway to the Florida State League anyway. Should we be surprised then by his .549 OPS?
Brad Hand - Stats
As Hand has advanced to the higher levels of the minors, he hasn't induced nearly as many ground balls. Those ground balls have turned in to line drives, this he is giving up significantly more hits. Sometimes it's just that simple. He misses enough bats (more than one per innings this year) and has enough control that he could be effective, but he needs to force more ground balls to get his ERA back below 4.00.
Chad James - Stats
We have only a small sample size for last year's first round pick, but James is off to a decent enough start. He's striking out a batter an inning, but 15 BB's in 26 innings is too many. If he can limit the free passes, however, he should progress nicely but will also need to continue to induce ground balls at a high rate.
Logan Morrison - Stats
Morrison has continued to prove his merit as a top prospect despite losing the 1B battle to Gaby Sanchez in Spring Training. He continues to improve his control of the strike zone, as evidenced by his 13/11 BB/K ratio, and his .291/.394/.519 line in Triple-A should merit him a promotion this fall. He's the Marlins' best prospect not named Stanton.
Kyle Skipworth - Stats
The Marlins' first round pick in 2008 is rebounding nicely from a brutal 2009 season, and is at least showing off the power that made him sigh a high pick. The Marlins would certainly like to see some more plate control, but .256/.318/.494 is at least a signal that Skipworth does have the talent to continue to progress.
Mike Stanton - Stats
Words and numbers don't really begin to describe the legend that is becoming Mike Stanton, but we'll try anyway. .300/.429/.706 shows you the kind of power Stanton has, but it's his plate discipline this year that has been most impressive (40/51 BB/K ratio). The only knock on Stanton is the strikeout rates, which have always been incredibly high. Typically that much swinging and missing doesn't translate well to major league success, but Stanton may be the exception to the rule.
Ryan Tucker - Stats
The Marlins are desperately trying to get something out of their 2005 1st round pick, but Tucker's Triple-A numbers don't give them much hope. His 19/17 K/BB ratio is an indication of a complete lack of command.
