Ronald Belisario

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #25 prospect in 2005
  On pure arm strength alone, Belizario will get a longer leash than many of his fellow pitching prospects. He pitches at 93-95 mph and tops out at 98. He also shows a decent splitter and a slider that needs to be tightened up. He has shown a decent change but needs to throw it more. He spent the bulk of the year in the Double-A rotation, but struggled with his command. A minor back injury caused him to be sent back to high Class A, where he pitched out of the bullpen. The organization continues to be split on whether Belizario projects as a starter or a short reliever. Makeup has been a question throughout his career as he can be hard to coach. He missed the end of the 2003 season with a minor shoulder problem, and durability is an issue as well. Signed the same week as fellow Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera, Belizario weighed just 148 pounds at the time. His bonus was less than $60,000. He should return to Double-A, though a promotion to Triple-A could come early if he succeeds.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #14 prospect in 2004
  Few members of this list have proven as maddening to Marlins brass as Belizario. Last year alone he missed curfew the night before a scheduled start, skipped conditioning sessions and showed up his pitching coach during mound visits. His immaturity and hard-headed nature got him shipped back to extended spring training in May, where for three weeks he was forced to report at 7 a.m. for early cardiovascular work. Once he got the message, farm director Marc DelPiano sent him back out to Greensboro, where Belizario pitched at 94-95 mph and touched 98. He has a decent change, a sweeping slider and a cutter some in the organization would rather see him shelve. In terms of pure stuff, some believe he outranks even Yorman Bazardo and Scott Olsen. A minor shoulder problem led the Marlins to shut Belizario down near the end of the regular season and caused him to miss the Florida State League playoffs. He projects as a premium set-up man or perhaps a closer, but first he'll have to get his emotions under control and bring his work ethic up to a consistently acceptable level. He'll also have to show more consistent command. He should start 2004 back in high Class A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #12 prospect in 2003
  Signed the same week as fellow countryman Miguel Cabrera, Belizario came to the Marlins with significantly less fanfare. His signing bonus was less than $60,000, compared to the Venezuelan-record $1.9 million Cabrera received, but both are on track for the big leagues. Blessed with what some consider the loosest arm in the organization, Belizario pitches at 90-93 mph and has touched 98. Everything he throws moves, especially his two-seam fastball with hard, boring action. He still throws both a curveball and slider, both of which are solid average, and his changeup is improving as he tinkers with different grips. He has a fun-loving personality, loves to compete and enjoys being on the mound. He'll overthrow at times, which makes his fastball straighten out, and he occasionally loses focus. Just 148 pounds upon signing, he now needs to firm up a somewhat soft frame. He eventually could wind up as a closer, but for now he'll continue to pile up innings and experience in high Class A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #18 prospect in 2002
  Signed the same week as fellow Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera, Belizario came to the Marlins with less fanfare and far cheaper, signing for less than $60,000. Of course, back then Belizario weighed 148 pounds and was topping out at 80 mph. He has grown another inch and packed 30 pounds onto his frame and now pitches at 90-92 mph and touches 95. He has a nasty sinker with hard boring action. He also has a solid curveball and changeup. Belizario has a good personality and loves to compete, though he remains somewhat immature, taking bad results and constructive criticism too personally. He has a flair on the mound that sometimes borders on Perezesque. He also likes to experiment, dropping down to the side at times in a needless effort to trick hitters. He figures to start the year at Kane County.