Nick Maronde

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #22 prospect in 2014
  A little success might have been the worst thing to happen to Maronde, who made it to the big leagues in 2012, his first full pro season after being a third-rounder in 2011. He didn't look out of place in the Angels bullpen, so the club toyed with the idea of developing him as a starter. They abandoned the idea before the 2013 season began, however, because the bullpen clearly meshed with Maronde's temperament. He didn't use the same aggressive approach that had suited him in 2012. He's better off letting it rip early in counts with an above-average, 91-94 mph fastball. Nibbling too often left Maronde behind in counts, leading to situations where hitters could sit on his fastball or draw a walk. He reshaped his inconsistent slider in 2013. It doesn't have as much depth, but it's a harder pitch with late tilt. As a reliever, Maronde's fringy straight changeup is the secondary pitch he uses almost exclusively against righthanders to give them something to worry about on the outer half of the plate. His control problems--he walked 5.9 batters per nine innings at Double-A Arkansas in 2013--leave him at least a step away from the big leagues, probably at Triple-A Salt Lake to begin 2014.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #2 prospect in 2013
  After ranking as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in his 2011 pro debut, Maronde rocketed to the big leagues in his first full pro season. Despite missing most of May and June with back and elbow injuries, he became the fourth player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. Maronde has excellent command of a deceptive fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph. He keeps his fastball down and locates it on both sides of the plate. His 82-85 mph slider is a plus pitch that features good depth. It can flatten out when he doesn't stay on top of the ball, but when it's on he can throw it for strikes or as a chase pitch. The Angels want Maronde to improve his below-average changeup, though he rarely threw it as a big league reliever. Maronde's athleticism helps him repeat his delivery, while his arm action makes some scouts worry about his durability. Maronde has the stuff and command to be a No. 3 starter, but durability concerns and lack of a third pitch may keep him in the bullpen. He could open 2013 in the big leagues in the latter role.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #10 prospect in 2012
  Maronde ran up a 6.15 ERA and lost his rotation spot as a Florida sophomore but rebounded to pitch well in relief in 2011 as the Gators finished runner-up at the College World Series. He signed for $309,600 as a third-round pick and went to the Pioneer League, where he ranked as the top pitching prospect. Maronde returned to starting at Orem, showing above-average velocity, size and the potential for three pitches. He relied heavily on his fastball in college and carried that trend into pro ball, ranging from 90- 95 mph and sitting at 92-93 with strong command. He comes right at batters with an up-tempo delivery and has added movement to his four-seam fastball since turning pro. He also improved on a two-seamer that sometimes sinks so dramatically that it resembles a splitter. Maronde flashes an 80-85 mph slider with late break that's untouchable at its best. His fringy changeup plays down because it arrives at the same velocity as his slider. Some scouts project Maronde as a reliever because his strengths lean more toward power than pitchability. The Angels were impressed with his willingness to learn, however, and plan to develop him as a starter. He could jump straight to high Class A for his first full pro season.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked California League #16 prospect in 2012
  Though Maronde was a reliever his last two seasons in college, the Angels chose to develop him as a starter this year, his first full pro season. The only things that slowed him down were elbow and back issues that necessitated him being shut down in May and June. When he returned in July, he allowed just one run in four starts before moving up to Double-A and ending the season in Los Angeles' bullpen, becoming the fourth player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. Maronde's fastball velocity varies, dipping into the high 80s at times, but he's capable of working in the low 90s and touched 94 mph when he came out of the big league bullpen. His fastball command of the fastball is outstanding, as evidenced by his walk rate (1.7 per nine innings) in the minors. His slider is his go-to secondary pitch and is a plus offering at its best, though it can get flat and sweepy. Maronde's changeup shows flashes of being a decent third pitch, though it isn't helped by the fact that it comes in at the same low-80s velocity as his slider. He gets high marks for his quick tempo and aggressive style on the mound, though his arm action worries some scouts.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #7 prospect in 2011
  Maronde ran up a 6.15 ERA and lost his rotation spot as a Florida sophomore but rebounded to pitch well in relief as a junior this spring as the Gators finished runner-up at the College World Series. He moved back into the rotation after signing and looked at home, showing above-average velocity, size and the potential for three pitches. Maronde's fastball fluctuated from 89-96 mph in the Pioneer League, most often sitting at 92-93. He comes right at batters with an up-tempo delivery and has added movement to his four-seam fastball. He also has picked up a two-seamer that sometimes sinks so dramatically that it resembles a splitter. Maronde relied heavily on his fastball in college, but his 80-85 mph slider was a plus pitch at times in the PL. Neither lefties nor righties could square up his slider when it was at its best, and Maronde frequently threw it for called strikes. He throws an average changeup with the same velocity as his breaking ball, so choking back on it further would add separation and enhance its effectiveness.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: After ranking as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League in his 2011 pro debut, Maronde rocketed to the big leagues in his first full pro season. Despite missing most of May and June with back and elbow injuries, he became the fourth player from the 2011 draft to reach the majors. Scouting Report: Maronde has excellent command of a deceptive fastball that ranges from 89-95 mph. He keeps his fastball down and locates it on both sides of the plate. His 82-85 mph slider is a plus pitch that features good depth. It can flatten out when he doesn't stay on top of the ball, but when it's on he can throw it for strikes or as a chase pitch. The Angels want Maronde to improve his below-average changeup, though he rarely threw it as a big league reliever. Maronde's athleticism helps him repeat his delivery, while his arm action makes some scouts worry about his durability. The Future: Maronde has the stuff and command to be a No. 3 starter, but durability concerns and lack of a third pitch may keep him in the bullpen. He could open 2013 in the big leagues in the latter role.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Maronde ran up a 6.15 ERA and lost his rotation spot as a Florida sophomore but rebounded to pitch well in relief in 2011 as the Gators finished runner-up at the College World Series. He signed for $309,600 as a third-round pick and went to the Pioneer League, where he ranked as the top pitching prospect.Scouting Report: Maronde returned to starting at Orem, showing above-average velocity, size and the potential for three pitches. He relied heavily on his fastball in college and carried that trend into pro ball, ranging from 90-95 mph and sitting at 92-93 with strong command. He comes right at batters with an up-tempo delivery and has added movement to his four-seam fastball since turning pro. He also improved on a two-seamer that sometimes sinks so dramatically that it resembles a splitter. Maronde flashes an 80-85 mph slider with late break that's untouchable at its best. His fringy changeup plays down because it arrives at the same velocity as his slider.The Future: Some scouts project Maronde as a reliever because his strengths lean more toward power than pitchability. The Angels were impressed with his willingness to learn, however, and plan to develop him as a starter. He could jump straight to high Class A for his first full pro season.