Pablo Ozuna

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Colorado Rockies #22 prospect in 2003
  When the Marlins traded Edgar Renteria to the Cardinals in December 1998, Ozuna was the key player they received in return. When the Rockies dumped Mike Hampton's contract on the Marlins last November, they got Ozuna, but he was mostly an afterthought. Once viewed as Luis Castillo's eventual replacement at second base, Ozuna's stock took a hit last spring when he was found to be four years older than his listed age. That news came after he missed the entire 2001 season following left wrist surgery. Ozuna remains a tremendous hitter for average, with the ability to put almost any pitch in play, but he doesn't have much pop and has grown less patient each year. His basestealing prowess, a big part of the package when he was in the St. Louis system, has lessened in importance despite his outstanding speed. He has stiff hands in the field, booting routine plays too often to be trusted with the everyday job at second. His instincts remain questionable. He played 23 games in center field for Triple-A Calgary and showed decent ability at tracking balls. His arm is average. He'll get a chance to make the Rockies this spring as a utility player.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #12 prospect in 2002
  Ozuna was the key player in the deal that sent Edgar Renteria to the Cardinals. Some thought by now Ozuna would have taken over at second base for Luis Castillo, but it hasn't happened. He broke his left wrist playing last winter in the Dominican, then aggravated the injury during spring training. That led to surgery to correct the problem. He missed the whole summer but was back to full strength by instructional league, though he still had some tenderness. He again showed plus makeup as he attacked his rehab program and maintained his upbeat personality throughout the ordeal. He hoped to make up for lost time with another crack at winter ball, where he continued to swing at everything, as per his reputation. A classic bad-ball hitter, Ozuna has the hand-eye coordination and aggressiveness to put all manner of pitches into play. Though he projects as a top-of-the-order hitter, he shows little inclination to work counts. He's a legitimate basestealing threat and a decent bunter but could get better. His average and erratic arm caused the Marlins to switch Ozuna from shortstop to second base, where his defense remains shaky. A move to center field remains possible.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2001
  When the Marlins acquired Ozuna in December 1998, he was the key player in the trade that sent Edgar Renteria to the Cardinals. He hit at least .323 in his first three professional seasons and had just wrecked the Midwest League. His star has dimmed somewhat in the two seasons since, but not by much. Speed is his primary tool. Close behind is tremendous hand-eye coordination that enables him to make contact on pitches anywhere near the plate. Though slight, he's wiry strong and has some gap power. He has a solid makeup and takes instruction well. An erratic arm prompted a move from shortstop to second. Ozuna's defense has been shaky as he makes the transition. He's learning to harness his speed. Lapses in concentration and overaggressiveness cause him to run into outs. He remains a free swinger. Doubts are beginning to build about Ozuna. He looked overmatched in a big league audition. Now that Luis Castillo has put his vast tools to use, Florida may look to move Ozuna yet again, perhaps to center field. He should get his first crack at Triple-A in 2001.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #7 prospect in 2000
  Background: Ozuna set the Midwest League on its ear in 1998, batting .357 with 62 stolen bases. He then came over from the Cardinals as part of the Edgar Renteria deal last winter. The son of a fisherman, he developed his wiry strength while working the docks as a boy. Strengths: Ozuna has plus speed and range and the hand-eye coordination to put the bat on almost everything he swings at. He handles inside pitches well and has gap power. He is open to instruction and plays the game with obvious joy. Weaknesses: His average arm caused the Marlins to convert him from shortstop to second base during instructional league. His basestealing numbers dropped as he faced more developed catchers in Double-A. He must learn to take more pitches. The Future: Ozuna will return to Double-A to start the 2000 season as he works to master his new position. Big league incumbent Luis Castillo is just 24 and coming off a breakthrough season, so Ozuna's track has slowed somewhat.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #6 prospect in 1999
  Background: The Marlins braintrust fell in love with Ozuna, a .351 hitter in three years in the Cardinals organization, during an August scouting swing to assess their Kane County affiliate. Four months later, the Marlins acquired him in the trade for Renteria. Strengths: Ozuna has a live body with good actions for a middle infielder. He has above-average speed and quick feet with above-average range and an accurate though average arm. He plays with great energy, and has good plate judgment and gap power. He rarely strikes out and led the minors with 192 hits. He has excellent basestealing instincts and projects as a leadoff-type hitter. Weaknesses: Ozuna compensates for his average arm with positioning and a quick release. Many of his 45 errors last year were due to lapses in concentration. He could draw more walks and improve his bunting. Ozuna has below-average power; at 160 pounds, he needs to fill out and add strength. The Future: Ozuna will be part of what figures to be a special team at Double-A Portland in 1999. He should arrive in the majors by late 2000, at which point the Marlins will have another excruciating decision to make.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #16 prospect in 2000
  With the exception of a brief stay with the Marlins early in the season, Ozuna spent his second full summer in the EL. This time he moved from shortstop to second base, in part because Florida has Alex Gonzalez to play short and in part to compensate for what some consider a weak arm. Even with Gonzalez having a dreadful season, there are no plans to move Ozuna back to short. In fact, there’s some thought that he may make a better center fielder than second baseman. His offense, namely his speed, remains his best asset. "I like his hitting ability. He stays inside the ball," Etchebarren said. "Now can he play second base? I don't know. His hands are a little hard for me for a second baseman. I think he can end up as an outfielder, but not as a power hitter. I like him. I think he's going to be a big league player. If his hands get a little softer, I think he can be a fine second baseman." Said Brown: "Defensively, he's better than he was last year. He's playing more second this year than short, and that's probably where he should be. He has some power. He has the ability to put the ball into play. He doesn't chase as much stuff out of the zone. He's more of a line-drive, gap-type of hitter."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #62 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #8 prospect in 1999

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  With the exception of a brief stay with the Marlins early in the season, Ozuna spent his second full summer in the EL. This time he moved from shortstop to second base, in part because Florida has Alex Gonzalez to play short and in part to compensate for what some consider a weak arm. Even with Gonzalez having a dreadful season, there are no plans to move Ozuna back to short. In fact, there’s some thought that he may make a better center fielder than second baseman. His offense, namely his speed, remains his best asset. "I like his hitting ability. He stays inside the ball," Etchebarren said. "Now can he play second base? I don't know. His hands are a little hard for me for a second baseman. I think he can end up as an outfielder, but not as a power hitter. I like him. I think he's going to be a big league player. If his hands get a little softer, I think he can be a fine second baseman." Said Brown: "Defensively, he's better than he was last year. He's playing more second this year than short, and that's probably where he should be. He has some power. He has the ability to put the ball into play. He doesn't chase as much stuff out of the zone. He's more of a line-drive, gap-type of hitter."