Miami Products

The state of Miami. An independent state that is solely based on producing the best athletes of the country. From towns like Liberty City to high schools like Miami Killian to the big time program of UM. This is a city where naturals are born and stars are produced. I won't talk about football players, but baseball players. Two current minor league prospects for the Oakland A's. Adrian Cardenas and Jemile Weeks.

Adrian Cardenas, the 37th overall pick in the 2006 MLB draft (1st round supplemental round) came out of Monsignor Pace High School in Miami Gardens. Being drafted out of high school is an extremely hard goal to achieve and getting drafted out of high school in the first round.. Incredible. Cardenas, who played SS during his years at Pace, took the Spartans to a class 4A State Championship title and was ranked in the top high schools according to USA Today. He was noticed by scouts who were looking at star teammate Chris Marrero (15th overall pick). The scouts were so amazed by him, he even won Baseball America High School Player of the Year. Before getting traded to the A's, he was the 2nd basemen in the Phillies organization. In 2009, he spent time in AA and AAA where he hit .326 in AA and .251 at the AAA level. A little more seasoning and this Miami native will be MLB ready.



The U isn't only known for it's football program. They have one of the best baseball programs in the country and it seems like they never fail to reach Omaha. Jemile Weeks, who is the younger brother of Brewers Rickie Weeks, help elevate UM to an elite team while he was the Canes 2nd baseman. Weeks wasn't born in Miami but we can say UM produced yet another prospect. Weeks was the 12th overall pick of the 2008 draft, belonging to the the Oakland A's. A lot of scouts agreed he was going to play more CF than his natural position of 2nd but he hasn't made a move to the outfield yet. In 2009, Weeks batted .299 in A-Advance and .238 in the AA level. Weeks is just 5'10 175 lbs but he still manages to be an explosive hitter with his line drive swing and above average speed.


Being a minor league player, you never have a place to stay. You never know when you are going to be promoted or demoted or you never know if you're going to be traded. Both being expectational 2nd basemen in the same organization could mean a trade knowing how crazy it is when you're a minor league player. Either way, we should look forward seeing Cardenas and Weeks grow into All Stars and make an impact in the MLB level.

Marlins Future Looking Great

But with confusion? The Florida Marlins have always been a team to look for years to come. They have players that are top prospects in all of Minor League Baseball and almost all of them are projected to have big numbers when they reach "the show". From First Rounders Matt Dominguez and Kyle Skipworth to almost USC football star Mike Stanton to big arms like Brett Sinkbeil and Ryan Tucker. The talent is everywhere on the field! But what are the Marlins supposed to do with so much kids!

Right now current LF, Chris Coghlan, is having a good rookie campaign so far. The second basemen turned left fielder was one of the Marlins top prospects ever since he got drafted. I've been a huge fan of his ever since I saw him play in the MLB Futures All Star Game a few years back and from there, I followed him through out his Minor League career to the day he got called up. I wasn't really sure where he would play since Dan Uggla is in 2nd but he sure found himself a home out in the outfield. About one month ago he was batting around 250. and now has 12 game hitting streak and batting 286. He has tremendous plate discipline and is a natural contact hitter. I really hope he sticks around with the Marlins because he can really help the team in the top of the order. But is he to stay in the outfield forever? Or will he be another Miguel Cabrera type, infielder turned outfielder turned infielder again. ( Those who didn't know, Cabrera was a shortstop before playing outfield when he got called up)

If Coghlan goes back to 2nd, where would Uggla play? Some said the deal was Uggla was to move to 3rd base to make room for Coghlan. So what happens to 3b Matt Dominguez, their 07 first round draft pick? He is known for his fancy glove but continues to shine with his bat in the Minor Leagues. Is Uggla the odd man out?

How about in firstbase? Gabby Sanchez vs. Logan Morrison. A lot of people haven't heard of Morrison, but those who have say he is the 2nd best prospect for the Marlins. They also have Morrison projected to play in the outfield for the Marlins. -What?- Mike Stanton, ranked #26 in Milb.com Top 50 prospects, should be playing RF, Cameron Maybin, #5 on the list, plays CF, and so far Coghlan is playing LF. Marlins aren't in the AL so none of them can't DH. (That will be great for the team if they had a DH)

So what do they do with the talent? Keep them in the Minor Leagues until they die? Trade them away for short term veterans? This is the bad thing about having so much fire power in your system. You might have to give away long time players of the future to make the team a contender right away. 2003, Marlins trade away their first round draft pick, Adrain Gonzalez to the Rangers for closer Ugeuth Urbina. He did help the Marlins win the World Series but look now. Urbina is in prison and Gonzalez is one of the best hitters in baseball. Another situation is trade prospects for another one, but look what happened in 1999. Marlins got Johan Sanatana in the Rule 5 draft but then gave him away to the Twins for Jared Camp. I know, who in the world is that? I don't even know!

It just sucks to see a player who could have been part of the Marlins having success with another team, but hey, that's baseball! A business. As a boss you wouldn't like to see a former employee selling more products for your rival and not your business. Yeah you can be happy for them but that one special talent could have made the team closer to being an elite squad.



My future Marlins lineup:
C- Kyle Skipworth
1B- Gabby Sanchez
2b- Chris Coghlan
SS- Hanley Ramirez
3b- Matt Dominguez
RF-Mike Stanton
CF-Cameron Maybin
LF- Maybe a veteran or Morrison, still up for grabs.
SP- Josh Johnson