Yorman Bazardo

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Detroit Tigers #5 prospect in 2008
  Bazardo already has pitched for three organizations--and he's only 23. He was a top prospect with the Marlins before being sent to the Mariners in a deal for Ron Villone in 2005. During spring training last year the Tigers acquired him from Seattle in exchange for minor league outfielder Jeff Frazier. Detroit assistant general manager Al Avila was Florida's scouting director when Bazardo signed with the Marlins, so the Tigers had a good history with him. Bazardo had a solid season in the Triple-A rotation and pitched effectively as a starter and reliever for the Tigers. His fastball ranges from 90-94 mph with good sink, and his primary out pitch is a changeup with depth and armside run. His arm action is similar on both pitches and his herky-jerky delivery keeps hitters off balance. He has good command to both sides of the plate and throws a lot of first-pitch strikes. Because he lacks a consistent breaking ball, Bazardo doesn't rack up strikeouts. Without an improved slider, his ceiling likely will be as a middle reliever. He still was able to limit righthanders to a .143 average in the majors with his fastball and changeup alone. He's out of minor league options, so the Tigers will give Bazardo every opportunity to make the Opening Day roster in the bullpen.
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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #13 prospect in 2006
  Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi did a nice job at the 2005 trade deadline, spinning spare parts for useful pitching--Bazardo, Mike Flannery, Jesse Foppert and Natanael Mateo-- and journeyman catchers Miguel Ojeda and Yorvit Torrealba. Foppert was an elite prospect before Tommy John surgery in 2003, while Bazardo is the best of the three minor league righties acquired. Bazardo touched 98 mph in the Marlins system, but pitched at 91-92 and peaked at 94 following the trade. He made progress with his slider and curveball, and his changeup remains his best secondary pitch. His numbers never have matched the quality of his stuff because he lacks consistent command. Bazardo doesn't struggle to throw strikes but must realize the importance of locating his pitches within the strike zone. His velocity dipped at the end of 2004 as well, so he'll need to get stronger. Unless he can develop a couple of truly reliable pitches to go with his heat, Bazardo faces a future in the bullpen. He'll stay in the rotation for now, probably opening the season in Double-A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #3 prospect in 2005
  Signed for $85,000 out of Venezuela by former Marlins scout Miguel Garcia, Bazardo might have the best overall arm in the system. Part of a talented pitching staff at Jupiter in 2004, Bazardo distinguished himself in that company. The Marlins designated him one of four untouchables in their system at the July trade deadline. Bazardo's long limbs allow him to deliver a 92-94 mph fastball that has touched 98 as late as the eighth inning. He has good action on his sinker, and also throws a plus changeup and a developing slider. He junked his curveball early in the year to concentrate on his slider. He's aggressive, going right at hitters, and gets lots of quick outs. He has excellent makeup. Bazardo tired late in the season and was pitching closer to 90 mph, but the Marlins aren't concerned about that. His mechanics still go out of whack from time to time, and he sometimes tries to manipulate his changeup instead of letting it work naturally. He doesn't miss as many bats as he should with his stuff. The Marlins will be careful not to rush Bazardo, but he isn't that far away from the majors. He'll open 2005 in Double-A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #5 prospect in 2004
  Signed for $85,000, Bazardo has shown an exciting arm. The new Marlins regime stuck him in the bullpen for his first season in the United States, then moved him to the rotation in 2003 when he came out of extended spring training. He opened the season with 17 scoreless innings and finished it with 17 more. Tall and long-limbed, Bazardo pitches at 92- 94 mph and has touched 97. His stuff holds up, as he threw 95-97-94 to finish his second straight shutout in his final start of the year. He has a plus changeup, and he's athletic and projectable. He has a sunny disposition and solid makeup. Bazardo's power curveball needs work. He's prone to overthrowing. He needs to be more aggressive rather than sitting back and waiting until he's in trouble to get locked in. His mechanics can betray him at times, as he has a tendency to drift toward first base. Bazardo will open 2004 in the Florida State League, where the pitcher-friendly atmosphere should help his growing confidence. The Marlins will be careful not to rush him.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #23 prospect in 2003
  Signed for $85,000 out of Venezuela by former Marlins scout Miguel Garcia, Bazardo has shown an electrifying arm that ranks among the best in the system. He has touched 96 mph with an improving power curve, though he still tries to overthrow and sees his stuff flatten out when he does. His delivery can get out of whack at times as well, but that should be remedied with experience. Tall and long-limbed, Bazardo remains raw. After he was used as a starter in the Venezuelan Summer League, the new Marlins regime stuck him in the bullpen at Jamestown. Bazardo proved dominant at times in that role, but at other also was surprisingly hittable considering his stuff and enviable pitcher's frame. He likely will start this year in low Class A, where he figures to remain in the bullpen. The Marlins found him to be more comfortable and effective in a two-inning relief role. Quiet and still learning to speak English, Bazardo is a fairly happy-go-lucky and needs to get more aggressive. His makeup is considered a plus.