Jampacked Blog

It’s far from official, but as the Jammers have begun to arrive in Jamestown for practices Friday and Saturday, here’s my first look at 2012 roster.

Pitchers (13):

Sean Donatello (RHP) — A 21 year old in his second professional season, Donatello spent most of last year in the Gulf Coast League for the GCL Marlins. He posted pretty good numbers at the rookie level, going 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 13 games (four starts). He appeared in one game for Jupiter, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing a run. He started 2012 in Jupiter, though, and struggled. In seven innings, he’s 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. He was sent back down to Jamestown on May 4. Expect him to be in the bullpen.

Brian Ellington (RHP) — Ellington, 21, was a 16th round selection this year from the University of West Florida. He started 11 games for the Argos and went 6-3 with a 4.08 ERA. He had a pretty decent opponents batting average at .241, but it’s hard to project much from Ellington at this point, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a few chances to start. He had Tommy John Surgery in 2007 while in high school.

Jacob Esch (RHP) — He played his college ball at Georgia Tech and was drafted as a second baseman in the 11th round in 2011. He threw just 18.2 innings (11.2 for Jamestown) of professional ball last year and compiled a 3.38 ERA. He showed some potential as a power pitcher, striking out 17. Esch is listed as the opening day starter on the Jammers website, but nothing has been announced yet.

Miguel Fermin (RHP) — Yes, that Miguel Fermin. Now at 27, the former catcher has been forced to renew his career after blowing out his knee last year. Fermin was a NYPL All-Star on the Jammers back in 2008 when he hit .347 with 17 homeruns in 65 games. He was then an all-star for Jupiter in 2009 and 2011, but struggled in two stints for New Orleans. Now that Fermin can’t do much behind the plate, the Marlins have decided to use his right arm on the mound. Will be interesting to see how he’s used, but will almost assuredly be out of the bullpen.

Mason Hope (RHP) — Hope is the highest draft pick amongst the Jammers current pitchers as he was a fifth rounder last year out of Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma. The 19 year old started six games in the Gulf Coast League last year and did pretty well, compiling a 3.29 ERA in 27.1 innings. Hope has a bright future and considering his age, the Marlins are in no rush with this kid. He’ll be in the rotation.

Jheyson Manzueta (RHP) — It will be interesting to see what the Marlins’ plan is with Manzueta. The 22 year old was actually signed back in 2007 and spent his first two years in the Dominican Summer League. Last year was his first year above rookie ball and he struggled in both Jamestown and Greensboro. Combined he was 2-11 with a 6.57 ERA. He started the year in Greensboro, where he started all 20 games he appeared in. When he went back down to Jamestown, he appeared in 10 games, all of which came in relief. Probably not a pattern, but we’ll see where Manzueta gets his innings. I’ll expect the bullpen.

Matt Milroy (RHP) — Drafted in the 11th round, Milroy became the highest pitcher selected out of the University of Illinois since 2001. He worked out the bullpen and averaged almost 11 strikeouts per nine innings, good for ninth in the NCAA. Milroy chose to forgo his senior season at Illinois. He had a 3.88 ERA in 53.1 innings and I would doubt if the Marlins are looking to stretch him out.

Ryan Newell (RHP) — Newell is the highest draft pick from this year on the pitching staff. Drafted in the seventh round out of Shorter University (NAIA program in Rome, Ga.), Newell went 9-4 with a 3.53 ERA as a starter last year and will probably be used as one for Jamestown or perhaps a middle-inning reliever. Newell will turn 21 on Opening Day Monday.

Frankie Reed (LHP) — The 24-year-old lefty will be used in the same role as last year, as a reliever who can strike some guys out. He was drafted out of Cal Poly SLO last year in the 27th round and spent his rookie year between Jamestown and GCL. He struggled as a Jammer, going 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA.

Helpi Reyes (RHP) — Another familiar name, Reyes started 12 games last year for the club and went 1-6 with a 5.37 ERA. Still just 19, Reyes has been in the Marlins organization for three years with each of the last two being a full-time starter. 2012 appears to be a big year for the righthander if he wants to advance through. I’d imagine he would be in the rotation.

Drew Steckenrider (RHP) — An eighth round pick out of Tennessee this year, Steckenrider also has pretty great power potential, but his future is based on his right arm. He struck out 79 batters in 67 innings and held opponents to a .197 batting average. The 6-foot-5 reliever seems ticketed for the bullpen. Decided to forgo his senior season at UT.

Nicholas Wittgren (RHP) — Another high-level college pitcher prospect, Wittgren was a ninth round selection this year from Purdue. He also decided to forgo his senior season and projects as a reliever. Wittgren is another power pitcher, striking out 39 batters in 41 innings, but was the closer for a Boilermaker team that won the Big 10 and hosted an NCAA Regional. He had a 1.76 ERA in 26 games and saved 10.

Beau Wright (RHP) — Wright was a 48th round pick in 2010 out of Orange Coast College, but was a 29th round pick out of high school by the Minnesota Twins in 2009, where he obviously did not sign. He was 2-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 11 games (six starts) for GCL last year. Wright, 21, will have every opportunity to start games for the club this year.