Joseph O’Gara

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #25 prospect in 2012
  Signed for $60,000 as a 31st-round pick in 2009, O'Gara took an unplanned route to the fast track after tossing five shutout innings in a fill-in start in high Class A in May 2010. After opening that year in extended spring training, he spent the rest of it at Jupiter and moved up to Double-A last spring. O'Gara struggled early with his sinker, at times looking like he was trying to force action on the ball instead of just letting it go. His results improved when he regained the pitch, which runs from 90-92 mph and induces grounders by the bushel. He'll also throw a four-seamer, mostly against lefthanders, and it can get up to 95 mph. His slider lacks consistent depth, often flattening out, which is a particular challenge given his lower arm slot. He has a better feel now for his changeup, which mimics the sinking action of his fastball, though at times he'll slow his body down when throwing it. An intelligent pitcher with a competitive makeup, O'Gara always been a hard worker. He's a candidate for a back-end-of-the-rotation job eventually, but he'll first need to iron out his secondary offerings, possibly back in Jacksonville to begin 2012.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #30 prospect in 2011
  The sixth of seven Indiana players drafted in 2009, O'Gara has come on much faster than expected. Signed for $60,000 as a 31st-round pick, he had a rough pro debut and opened 2010 in extended spring training. The Marlins turned to him when they needed an arm in Jupiter in late May, and O'Gara tossed five shutout innings in his first start. What was supposed to be a short-term assignment turned into a permanent job. His fastball has improved from 87-89 mph in college to 90-92 now, with tremendous sink that induces a lot of groundouts. He's working to add a four-seamer to give hitters something else to think about. His slider can become an average pitch, though it tends to flatten out when he doesn't stay on top of it. He telegraphs his changeup at times by slowing down his arm. Many tall pitchers have trouble repeating their delivery, and the 6-foot-7 O'Gara is no exception. An intelligent pitcher and dedicated worker, he has a rubber arm that lends itself to either starting or relieving. He'll remain in the rotation this year in Double-A.