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7. P Jose Fernandez
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Fastball: 7/8 | Curveball: 5/6 | Changeup: 5/6 | Control: 5/6 | Overall: 6/7
After a harrowing escape from Cuba, it’s hard to imagine Fernandez ever being fazed by facing hitters and his confidence on the mound stood out during his first full season. The right-hander pitched at two levels and in the Futures Game, leading the Minors in WHIP, finishing second in ERA and fourth in batting average against. He does it with three pitches that all have the chance to be above average or better. His hard breaking ball might be a plus pitch when all is said and done and his changeup isn’t far behind, if at all. What sets Fernandez apart, aside from his presence, is his command. He throws all his pitches for strikes, which should help him pitch at the top of a rotation in the future.
13. OF Christian Yelich
Scouting Grades (present/future): Hit: 4/6 | Power: 5/6 | Run: 6/6 | Arm: 3/4 | Field: 5/5 | Overall: 5/6
Coming out of high school, Yelich had the reputation as the most advanced prep bat in his Draft class. He's done nothing but live up to his advanced billing, carrying a .322/.395/.497 line into the 2013 season. He's always had an excellent approach at the plate with an innate ability to barrel up the ball. He can drive the ball to all fields and his power started to come in 2012 with more in the tank from his smooth left-handed swing. Yelich has excellent speed and good instincts on the bases, making him a basestealing threat. His speed helps him cover ground in the outfield, though there is some debate over whether his long-term home will be in center, his current position, or over in left field. Either way, his bat should have him ready for the big leagues in the near future.
70. OF Jake Marisnick
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/5 | Power: 5/6| Run: 6/6 | Arm: 5/5 | Field: 6/6 | Overall: 5/6
Marisnick was playing in the Arizona Fall League when rumors of the big Blue Jays-Marlins trade were spreading. The toolsy outfielder finished the AFL season in a Blue Jays uniform, then was officialy dealt two days after the season’s completion as part of the package that netted Toronto Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and company. When he’s locked in, Marisnick oozes with tools. He has a lot more raw power to grow into, more than he’s shown in games so far. His above-average speed plays up even more because of his outstanding baserunning instincts. He’s an excellent defender in center field, with more than enough range to stay there, though his solid arm would work from right. Perhaps the only thing holding Marisnick back might be some holes in his swing and he’s shown the ability at times to make adjustments to lessen them, something that will help him become a complete hitter.
72. P Justin Nicolino
Scouting Grades (present/future): Fastball: 5/6 | Curveball: 5/6 | Changeup: 5/6 | Control: 5/5 | Overall: 5/6
There might be other young pitchers with more pure stuff, even those who were taken along with Nicolino out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays. But this lefty -- sent to the Marlins in the blockbuster deal that gave Toronto Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck -- has more polish than many pitchers of his age. That’s not to say he doesn’t have good stuff. Nicolino’s fastball will sit in the 89-91 mph range, and he throws it with good deception and movement. His curve has good three-quarters break to it when he throws it correctly, and his changeup can be a plus pitch. Nicolino can throw them all for strikes even if there’s a little cross-fire to his delivery. His feel for pitching could allow him to start moving faster.
81. P Andrew Heaney
Scouting Grades (present/future): Fastball: 5/6 | Curve: 5/6 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 5/6 | Overall: 5/6
The Oklahoma State product parlayed a fantastic junior season into a top 10 selection in the 2012 Draft, getting a taste of full-season ball during his summer debut. Heaney is an advanced college lefty who should be able to get to the big leagues fairly quickly. He was running his fastball up to 93 mph at Oklahoma State, maintaining velocity deep into starts. Heaney has a terrific breaking ball which generates swings and misses. His changeup has deception and sink, and it could be a third above-average-or-better pitch. Heaney's plus pitchability should let him move quickly, as he has a firm grasp of the strike zone and mixes his pitches well.
82. SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/5 | Power: 3/4 | Run: 6/6 | Arm: 6/6 | Field: 6/7 | Overall: 4/5
Since the Blue Jays signed the Cuban defector, there haven't been any questions about his ability to defend. The concerns always came with his bat. Now everyone will get to see if he's ready to face big-league pitching full time after being a part of the blockbuster deal between the Blue Jays and Marlins this offseason. He put up good numbers in Triple-A, but Las Vegas is a very hitting-friendly home, so skeptics about his offense weren't assuaged. He does have good speed that he should learn how to use better on the basepaths. Truth be told, he doesn't have to hit much because he is a plus defender across the board, from range to hands to arm. If he can hit enough to stay in the everyday lineup, he's the type of player who might need to clear a shelf for the Gold Glove awards he'll collect along the way.
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Fastball: 7/8 | Curveball: 5/6 | Changeup: 5/6 | Control: 5/6 | Overall: 6/7
After a harrowing escape from Cuba, it’s hard to imagine Fernandez ever being fazed by facing hitters and his confidence on the mound stood out during his first full season. The right-hander pitched at two levels and in the Futures Game, leading the Minors in WHIP, finishing second in ERA and fourth in batting average against. He does it with three pitches that all have the chance to be above average or better. His hard breaking ball might be a plus pitch when all is said and done and his changeup isn’t far behind, if at all. What sets Fernandez apart, aside from his presence, is his command. He throws all his pitches for strikes, which should help him pitch at the top of a rotation in the future.
13. OF Christian Yelich
Scouting Grades (present/future): Hit: 4/6 | Power: 5/6 | Run: 6/6 | Arm: 3/4 | Field: 5/5 | Overall: 5/6
Coming out of high school, Yelich had the reputation as the most advanced prep bat in his Draft class. He's done nothing but live up to his advanced billing, carrying a .322/.395/.497 line into the 2013 season. He's always had an excellent approach at the plate with an innate ability to barrel up the ball. He can drive the ball to all fields and his power started to come in 2012 with more in the tank from his smooth left-handed swing. Yelich has excellent speed and good instincts on the bases, making him a basestealing threat. His speed helps him cover ground in the outfield, though there is some debate over whether his long-term home will be in center, his current position, or over in left field. Either way, his bat should have him ready for the big leagues in the near future.
70. OF Jake Marisnick
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/5 | Power: 5/6| Run: 6/6 | Arm: 5/5 | Field: 6/6 | Overall: 5/6
Marisnick was playing in the Arizona Fall League when rumors of the big Blue Jays-Marlins trade were spreading. The toolsy outfielder finished the AFL season in a Blue Jays uniform, then was officialy dealt two days after the season’s completion as part of the package that netted Toronto Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson and company. When he’s locked in, Marisnick oozes with tools. He has a lot more raw power to grow into, more than he’s shown in games so far. His above-average speed plays up even more because of his outstanding baserunning instincts. He’s an excellent defender in center field, with more than enough range to stay there, though his solid arm would work from right. Perhaps the only thing holding Marisnick back might be some holes in his swing and he’s shown the ability at times to make adjustments to lessen them, something that will help him become a complete hitter.
72. P Justin Nicolino
Scouting Grades (present/future): Fastball: 5/6 | Curveball: 5/6 | Changeup: 5/6 | Control: 5/5 | Overall: 5/6
There might be other young pitchers with more pure stuff, even those who were taken along with Nicolino out of high school by the Toronto Blue Jays. But this lefty -- sent to the Marlins in the blockbuster deal that gave Toronto Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Emilio Bonifacio and John Buck -- has more polish than many pitchers of his age. That’s not to say he doesn’t have good stuff. Nicolino’s fastball will sit in the 89-91 mph range, and he throws it with good deception and movement. His curve has good three-quarters break to it when he throws it correctly, and his changeup can be a plus pitch. Nicolino can throw them all for strikes even if there’s a little cross-fire to his delivery. His feel for pitching could allow him to start moving faster.
81. P Andrew Heaney
Scouting Grades (present/future): Fastball: 5/6 | Curve: 5/6 | Changeup: 4/5 | Control: 5/6 | Overall: 5/6
The Oklahoma State product parlayed a fantastic junior season into a top 10 selection in the 2012 Draft, getting a taste of full-season ball during his summer debut. Heaney is an advanced college lefty who should be able to get to the big leagues fairly quickly. He was running his fastball up to 93 mph at Oklahoma State, maintaining velocity deep into starts. Heaney has a terrific breaking ball which generates swings and misses. His changeup has deception and sink, and it could be a third above-average-or-better pitch. Heaney's plus pitchability should let him move quickly, as he has a firm grasp of the strike zone and mixes his pitches well.
82. SS Adeiny Hechavarria
Scouting Grades* (present/future): Hit: 4/5 | Power: 3/4 | Run: 6/6 | Arm: 6/6 | Field: 6/7 | Overall: 4/5
Since the Blue Jays signed the Cuban defector, there haven't been any questions about his ability to defend. The concerns always came with his bat. Now everyone will get to see if he's ready to face big-league pitching full time after being a part of the blockbuster deal between the Blue Jays and Marlins this offseason. He put up good numbers in Triple-A, but Las Vegas is a very hitting-friendly home, so skeptics about his offense weren't assuaged. He does have good speed that he should learn how to use better on the basepaths. Truth be told, he doesn't have to hit much because he is a plus defender across the board, from range to hands to arm. If he can hit enough to stay in the everyday lineup, he's the type of player who might need to clear a shelf for the Gold Glove awards he'll collect along the way.
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