Jeremy Hermida

The Marlins finally gave up on Hermida this offseason, sending him to Boston for an A-ball lottery ticket and a potential LOOGY. Since his solid 2007, Hermida has regressed in just about every facet of the game, so getting out of south Florida and having a fresh set of coaching eyes taking a look at him can't hurt. There's still some upside here as he'll be just 26 to start the season, but without some major improvement he'll have a hard time finding at-bats in Boston.

Hermida stayed healthy for five straight months but that's about the only progress he made in 2008, as his numbers across the board were far off what the Marlins thought they might get from him over a full season. His name came up more than once in trade talks in the offseason, but assuming he stays in Florida he'll likely shift over to left field. If you're scrambling for a reason to consider him as a post-hype sleeper, he has done better in odd numbered years than even ones.

Hermida battled injuries for the second straight season but also began flashing the form that made him a preseason Rookie of the Year candidate in 2006. He can hit for average and power with a solid batting eye, but the 20-steal potential he showed in the minors might be gone after his various lower-body problems. Even with Miguel Cabrera gone, the Marlins should have a decent offense, and if Hermida can stay off the DL he'll be a valuable part of it.

What looked like a potential Rookie of the Year campaign for Hermida heading into 2006 got badly derailed by a lingering hip injury and a September ankle tendon strain. The collapse of his batting eye in the majors was especially distressing, but it's completely out of line with his minor league performances and until Hermida gets some more healthy big league plate appearances under his belt he can't be written off as a bust. In fact, if he proves 100% in spring training Hermida will be an almost perfect fit for Post-Hype Sleeper status.

Hermida instantly endeared himself to whatever fans the Marlins have left by popping a grand slam in his first major league at bat. He won't slug better than .600 over a full season, but there's no reason to think the batting average and OBP won't hold up, along with the 20-20 potential. With a starting job all but guaranteed to him, he's one of the early favorites for NL Rookie of the Year.

One of the Marlins' top prospects, Hermida has a sweet stroke and developing power. If he explodes at Double-A don't be surprised if Florida jumps him to the majors the way they did with Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

The Marlins' first round pick in 2002, Hermida's bat came to life in his first full pro season. A .393 SLG shows he's still got some filling out to do, but he'll be only 20 in 2004. He should hit Double-A late this season, or in 2005, at which point it'll be time to pay attention.