Gaby Hernandez

Hernandez joined the Mariners' organization last year in a mid-season trade that sent Arthur Rhodes to Florida. He has a low-90s fastball and struck out about seven batters per nine innings last year with a 2.3 K/BB ratio in three minor league stops. He had a problem with the long ball, though, giving up 23 homers in 28 games (1.45 HR/9IP). Hernandez is a decent prospect, if only as back-of-the rotation starter, but needs to make strides this season if he wants a shot at the big leagues down the road.

Hernandez's numbers took a dip at Double-A in 2007, as his walk and home-run rates rose while his strikeouts dropped. He's still got a plus curve and sinker, and at 22, there's plenty of time to learn how best to use them, but Hernandez also has to worry about other Marlins pitching prospects like Chris Volstad leaping past him if he continues to spin his wheels.

Hernandez is stuck in limbo to an extent in the Marlins system. He's not as far along as the organization's other imported young arms like Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, but he's staying just ahead of the home-grown crop of pitching prospects that includes Chris Volstad. He used his nasty sinking fastball to turn in a better-than-average season (including a 3:1 K:BB ratio) at High-A in 2006 though, which is all you can really ask from a 20-year-old. A similar or better performance at Double-A should have him banging at the door of the big league rotation, and whatever spots aren't already claimed by other kids making the league minimum.

Hernandez made his mark on the pros quickly, striking out better than a batter an inning as a 19-year-old at Low-A Hagerstown before getting hit a little harder in High-A. He could advance quickly through the Marlins system if he continues to harness his potential, but the most likely ETA for his major league debut is late 2007 or 2008.