BY THOMAS HORN – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
As we get closer to the opening of the 2012 MLB season, I wanted to start profiling some of the stud prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system.
Today, I profile 21-year-old outfielder Jake Marisnick.
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Prospect Profile: Jake Marisnick
By the Numbers:
Age: 21 Height: 6’4 Weight: 200 lbs
2011 single-A stats: AVG .320 OBP .392 HR 14 RBI 77 SB 37
MLB player comparison: Similar to Ryan Braun. A well-rounded player, with almost identical numbers to Braun in his first full year of pro baseball.
The Rundown: The farm system of the Toronto Blue Jays is known by scouts for its wealth of pitching prospects at every level, but there is one position player that has quietly emerged onto the scene, Jake Marisnick. He was considered one of the more athletic high school position players in the 2009 Amateur Draft, and was drafted in the third round by Alex Anthopoulos in his first draft as general manager.
At the time, scouts feared the mechanical miscues in Marisnick’s swing, a major reason why the well rounded outfielder fell so far in the draft. Since then however, Marisnick has ironed out his swing, and hit his way to 67 on Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list after only one full season of pro ball.
Marisnick possesses similar skills to center field prospect Anthony Gose. Although Marisnick’s speed is not world class like Gose, he possesses a better bat, with far more power potential to make up for it. He hit 14 home runs last year, and scouts believe those numbers will only improve. He has great discipline at the plate, striking out only 91 times in 523 plate appearances, a great stat considering his age. His maturity at the plate, along with speed that led to 37 steals and the ability to glide in the outfield, Marisnick should continue to blossom into one of the better prospects in the league.
Prediction: After seeing how far he’s come in only a year, I expect the 21-year-old to have another successful season at single-A Dunedin. Moving forward, with Anthony Gose expected to man centre field for years to come; a move to right field should be in order. With Marisnick’s athletic ability this shouldn’t be much of an issue. At this time next year, I expect Marisnick to surpass Gose as the Blue Jays second best batting prospect (assuming Travis d’Arnaud still possesses rookie status). With his talent, he will become the Blue Jays future everyday right fielder with all-star potential.
ETA: 2014
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