Matt Dominguez Has Been Promoted to AA Jacksonville

[tjfla]

No, I agree. It's just that I think he merits more PA than he gets. Even last year, I think he only had like 200 in Greensboro. This year his SLG is still not good, but he almost has as many XBH as he did last year in half the PAs while making the hitting transition from Gboro to Jupiter. I realize that's not saying much.

In the end I don't think he's a major leaguer... maybe a defensive back up since he splits against RH okay.

Ya he is like all our other catchers. Good defense and cant hit. I say he either goes to the AFL or (IF still running)HWL

We like to put our catchers in Winter Ball thats why I said maybe him or Hatcher

[MiamiHomer]

Earlier in the season, Mike Stanton was promoted to Double-A Jacksonville. A few days ago, another highly-rated Marlins prospect advanced to a higher level.

Matt Dominguez, the slick-fielding third baseman, recently was promoted from Class A Jupiter to Double-A.

"He was really playing well in Jupiter, and that's what we were looking for," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins vice president of player development and scouting. "In the last month and a half, he's been really, really good offensively and defensively. We thought it was time for him to go. We wanted him to have an extended period of success, which he did. Now, you move him on the way."

Dominguez, who turns 20 on Aug. 28, was the Marlins' first-round pick in 2007. Stanton, the power-hitting outfielder, was Florida's second-round choice in the same Draft. The 6-foot-6 Stanton has drawn comparisons to Dave Winfield.

Always impressive with the glove, Dominguez made great strides at the plate in recent weeks. He worked with Jupiter hitting coach Anthony Iapoce and John Mallee, the organization's hitting coordinator, on simplifying his swing.

"They came up with a simple plan. We didn't make any major changes, we just simplified some of the things he did," Fleming said. "It made him a little more consistent with his approach to each at-bat, and his offensive productions went up."

Dominguez appeared in 103 games at Jupiter, and he hit .262 with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs and 25 doubles. His on-base percentage was .333, to go along with a .420 slugging percentage.

Dominguez has drawn comparisons to Mike Lowell.

Traditionally, if players perform consistently at Double-A, the Marlins won't hesitate promoting them to the big leagues. So Dominguez will get a month at a higher level, and odds are he will open 2010 at Double-A. If he shows he can handle the advanced competition, he may be in line to make his Major League debut sometime around June of 2010.

Stanton, 19, is one of the most highly touted prospects in the Major Leagues.

The right fielder enters Friday with 51 games of Double-A under his belt. He's hitting .242 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. Stanton appeared in 50 games at Class A Jupiter, batting .294 with 12 homers and 39 RBIs.

Combined, he has 22 home runs and 69 RBIs in 101 games.

"He's making progress. He's not tearing the league apart, but he's holding his own," Fleming said. "At 19, that's all we're really looking for, for him to continue to make progress. That's what he's done. He had a little learning curve period. He's been through that now.

"Everybody's expectations are big, and he's doing fine. His average is probably the only thing that wasn't where it was in Jupiter, but it's all coming together. We've got no worries."

Because of the expectations, the Marlins are being careful with Stanton and Dominguez.

"Everybody in the world is telling [Stanton] how great he is," Fleming said. "For a 19-year-old to keep his head straight, and to just keep plugging away, it's tough. He's doing a great job at that. The one thing about Mike and Matt is they are very focused on baseball, and they don't get too caught up in themselves. They go out there and try to get better, and that makes it easier. Probably the hardest thing with any 19-year-old is [staying grounded]. They're doing a great job with that."

Dominguez on fast track

[Bobbob1313]

Man, that 07 draft looks awesome.

[BigGameFish]

He has looked good so far, he's hit in 2 of the 4 games. But 6 K's to 1 walk

[Jay]

I won't be surprised he is overmatched for the next month but this will give him an idea of what he will be up against next year and doing well then is all that matters.