Josh Willingham Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3912
AVG	.253
OBP	.358
SLG	.465
HR	195

Full name Joshua David Willingham
Born 02/17/1979 in Florence, AL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School North Alabama
Debut 07/06/2004
Drafted in the 17th round (491st overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2000.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Willingham's stock rose significantly after he tried catching in instructional league in 2002. He has spent limited time in the majors each of the past two seasons, though he missed most of the second half of 2005 when he came down with a stress fracture in his forearm in June. Willingham has molded himself into one of the best pure hitters in the system. He shows a short swing, power to all fields and tremendous command of the strike zone. His game-calling has improved and his arm strength is average. Despite all his hard work, though, most view Willingham as a DH stuck in the wrong league. He threw out just 13 percent of basestealers in 2005. Previous knee problems have left him with below-average speed. He entered the offseason blocked by a pair of players signed to long-term contracts, but with Paul Lo Duca and Carlos Delgado now shipped to the Mets, Willingham could get the chance to replace one of them. New manager Joe Girardi has talked about giving him a chance to catch regularly, but few scouts think that would work out. More likely, he'll have to beat out trade acquisition Mike Jacobs at first base to make it into the lineup.
With Stokes and Miguel Cabrera blocking him at the corner-infield spots, Willingham tried catching in instructional league in 2002. He has made enough strides to handle a surprising jump from Double-A to the majors last July. He led the minor leagues in on-base percentage. Willingham has made himself into the best hitter in the system. He has a short swing, power to all fields and a willingness to work counts, a rarity for the tools-first Marlins. He's instinctive and has a great work ethic. He has solid-average arm strength and works hard at calling a game. Because he's a late-comer to catching, Willingham might run out of time to make the full transition. He could wind up like Craig Wilson, bouncing from first to the outfield and slugging all the way. Staying healthy has been a concern, as persistent knee problems undercut his 2003 season and have made him a below-average runner. When the Marlins signed Paul Lo Duca to a three-year contract, they probably closed the door on Willingham starting behind the plate for them. But he could help the big league club in a utility role.
Blocked at both corner infield spots, Willingham agreed to try catching during instructional league after the 2002 season. He showed enough potential to rocket up the organizational charts. He tore up high Class A to earn a June promotion to Double-A, but a knee injury interrupted his surge. Arthroscopic surgery caused him to miss seven weeks. Willingham has a short swing, power to all fields and a willingness to work counts and take walks. He has good arm strength and has shown an aptitude for game-calling. Makeup is a definite plus as he's a genuine throwback. With just 40 regular season games behind the plate, Willingham still has much to learn. He threw out just 20 percent of basestealers. He should start 2004 back in Double-A. Depending on who the Marlins settle on as their everyday catcher in the wake of Ivan Rodriguez' departure to free agency, Willingham could be a season from getting a major league shot or looking for another position.
Blocked at third base by Miguel Cabrera and at first by Jason Stokes and Adrian Gonzalez, Willingham agreed to try catching at instructional league. In just three weeks, he improved by leaps and bounds, showing enough potential behind the plate to jump-start his career possibilities. He figures to return to high Class A as Jupiter's starting catcher this year, but early signs point to a strong arm and an aptitude for blocking balls. A shortstop at the University of North Alabama, he caught in high school and even tried left field at Jupiter. Willingham is selective at the plate, with good power to all fields and fine instincts on the bases and everywhere else. He has stolen successfully 81 percent of the time as a pro despite average speed at best. He missed six weeks last year with a fractured cheekbone after getting beaned in the face, but he showed no signs of fear upon his return. A classic tough guy, he isn't arrogant or cocky but carries himself confidently. Some have compared him to Mike Kinkade, another good-hitting third baseman in the minors who moved behind the plate to speed his path to the majors. Willingham's ceiling appears to be higher.

Minor League Top Prospects

Willingham had one of the quickest bats and best power strokes in the PCL. He hit 12 homers in May and .383 in June before getting called up to Florida, where he soon went on the disabled list for two months with a stress fracture in his left forearm. Willingham patiently waits for a pitch he can attack and usually takes advantage when he gets one. When opponents try to pitch around him, he's willing to take a walk. He led the minors with a .449 on-base percentage in 2004 and had a .455 OBP in Triple-A this year. Though Willingham played mostly behind the plate for Albuquerque, scouts don't think he can catch regularly in the big leagues. He has worked hard since converting from a corner infielder in instructional league three years ago, but his catch-and-throw skills are lacking. He threw out just nine of 65 basestealers (14 percent) in the PCL.
Willingham moved behind the plate after the 2002 season to try to accelerate his progress toward the big leagues. He has become one of the top prospects in the Florida system and was the SL's all-star catcher this season. That honor had nothing to do with his defense and everything to do with his league-leading numbers in both on-base (.449) and slugging (.565) percentage. The most optimistic assessments of Willingham's work behind the plate project him as a backup catcher, but he hasn't stood out at the other positions he's tried. He's no more than adequate at either corner infield spot or in left field, but most managers and scouts thought the Marlins should put him in one of those spots because catching could take away from his hitting. That didn't happen this season, though, because Willingham showed great patience and strike-zone judgment and handled breaking pitches well. Managers also loved his makeup.