Drafted in the 2nd round (41st overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2000 (signed for $2,027,000).
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Few players performed better this spring than the powerful Stokes. He set a Texas prep record with 23 home runs, including a number of tape-measure blasts, while batting .541. His power ranks at the top of the charts--a perfect 80 on the standard 20-80 scouting scale. With average speed and arm strength and a chance to play a position other than first base, he also showed scouts he's not one-dimensional. Scouts praise his makeup. He competes hard and enjoys playing the game. On talent, he grades out as one of the top two players in the draft, but his reluctance to cut a predraft deal may push him down two or three spots.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
Was it really way back in 2002 when Stokes made his one and only trip to the Futures Game? Signed for a $2.027 million bonus in 2000, Stokes hit 27 home runs in low Class A in 2002 and seemed destined to mash in the big leagues within a few seasons. Still armed with some of the best raw power in the system, the big Texan just hasn't been able to stay on the field enough to make use of it. In 2006, back and left shoulder injuries limited him to just 65 games at Triple-A. Toss in the thumb and wrist problems that plagued him the previous year, and Stokes has totaled just 78 games the past two seasons. No wonder the Marlins insisted on Mike Jacobs from the Mets as a replacement at first base when they traded Carlos Delgado. Perhaps it was because of rust, but Stokes wasn't nearly the threat at the plate last year when he did manage to play. He runs well for his size, but his fielding strides have leveled off. His power, such a rare commodity, means Stokes will keep getting chances.
Still armed with the best raw power in the system, Stokes remains a mystery. His nagging problems with a balky left wrist have given way to a condition typically seen in elderly patients that causes his left thumb to come out of joint easily and without warning. He wears a brace on the field but was limited to just 46 at-bats in 2005. Signed for $2.027 million out of high school, Stokes is a good situational hitter who can handle quality pitches when healthy. He runs well for a big man and has made significant strides in the field. He worked extensively with Marlins infield coach Perry Hill at big league spring training last year and improved his footwork and reactions. Despite the Carlos Delgado trade, Stokes still has obstacles ahead of him in Josh Willingham and offseason acquisition Mike Jacobs. He likely will head to Triple-A to begin 2006.
Stokes would have gone early in the first round as the top high school power hitter in the 2000 draft, but his commitment to the University of Texas dropped him to the first pick in the second round. After signing for $2.027 million, he eventually surpassed 2000's No. 1 overall pick, Adrian Gonzalez, in Florida's plans. That led to Gonzalez' inclusion in a 2003 trade for Ugueth Urbina. Stokes' greatest tool remains his powerful bat. He shows prodigious power to all fields. He runs well for a big man and has decent hands. His high strikeout totals have inspired some doubts, and Stokes never shortens his long swing, not even with two strikes. He has poor lateral movement, which means he'll never be more than average at best as a first baseman. His left wrist required a bone graft in 2002 and flared up again last season. He may require another operation. If the Marlins fully believed in Stokes, they wouldn't have signed Carlos Delgado to a four-year, $52 million contract in January. Stokes now looks like a prime piece of trade bait, if he can show he can stay healthy for a full season. He could return to Double-A to start 2005.
Considered the top high school power hitter in the 2000 draft, Stokes dropped because of signability concerns and yet signed for $2.027 million. He challenged for the low Class A Midwest League triple crown in 2002 despite a painful cyst on his left wrist. He had surgery, including a bone graft, near the end of 2002, and the complicated procedure kept him from letting go at the plate until two months into the 2003 season. Light-tower power remains Stokes' greatest tool. He has cranked some mammoth shots and has shown good plate judgment in the past, though he regressed in that area last year. He has decent hands at first base. Wrist surgery and the huge parks of the high Class A Florida State League may have caused Stokes to alter his approach and chase pitches. He doesn't run well and remains an average defender, though he has picked up a half step through strict conditioning. Stokes had passed Adrian Gonzalez in the Marlins' plans at first base before they sent Gonzalez to the Rangers, though now he has to contend with Hee Seop Choi's presence . He should begin 2004 at Double-A Carolina, where the ball travels better and his natural power should be rewarded, and could challenge for a big league job in 2005.
After signing late for a $2.027 million bonus in 2000, Stokes worked hard to make a transition to left field in 2001 but was waylaid by back and hamstring problems. He exploded last year, leading the low Class A Midwest League in batting and homers, and the entire minor leagues in slugging, despite a painful cyst on his left wrist. He could lean on his massive power, but Stokes wants to be a complete player. He hits to all fields and shows a good understanding of the strike zone and pitchers' tactics. He runs out pop flies like a super-sized David Eckstein. He has worked hard on his defense, and while he will never be nimble, won't hurt a club at first base. After fighting through injuries the last two years, Stokes' durability is in question. His arm is average at best and his speed is below-average, though not bad for his size. Stokes had wrist surgery, which included a bone graft, but should be ready for spring training. He'll probably start 2003 in high Class A. Adrian Gonzalez' superior defense makes it likely Stokes will play left field when both are big league regulars, perhaps in 2005.
Ranked the top high school power hitter in the 2000 draft, Stokes dropped out of the top 10 only because of signability concerns. He was ready to attend Texas until the Marlins forked over a $2.027 million bonus. He was the leading hitter in extended spring training, launching several tape-measure shots. Stokes homered onto the roof of the Expos complex in Jupiter and another time sent a broken-bat shot over the left-field wall. His stay at short-season Utica, however, was sabotaged from the start by injuries. He went 3-for-5 in his professional debut, then landed on the disabled list with a sore lower back. The cause of the injury was unclear, with theories ranging from the torque of Stokes' swing to the poor quality of his mattress. Stokes missed a month, then pulled a hamstring after his return. After making progress in his routes and jumps back during extended spring, the converted first baseman played just five games in left field at Utica, serving mainly as a DH. Despite his raw power he tends to get too pull-conscious, missing badly on breaking balls and piling up strikeouts. He runs well for a big man but would run better if he lost 10-15 pounds.
Stokes set a Texas high school record with 23 homers last spring and was considered the top high school power hitter in the draft. He dropped only because of signability concerns and was ready to attend Texas until the Marlins forked over $2.027 million in late August. He signed too late to make his pro debut. Stokes has raw, brute strength and generates upper-deck clout with a relatively compact swing. He put on a batting-practice show on the eve of his signing. He showed no scare during instructional league, where a pulled hamstring slowed him down but he whetted the organization's appetite. Stokes has poise and confidence, especially at the plate, where his strike-zone recognition is advanced. His defense at first base was below-average, and with Adrian Gonzalez at first, Stokes has moved to left field. His feet are quick enough and he's a good enough athlete to at least make that transition stick for a few years, but he'll never be a plus outfielder. A late bloomer in high school, Stokes has a first-rate makeup and work ethic. The Marlins fully expect him to develop into one of their premier position players, starting in the Gulf Coast League.
Minor League Top Prospects
Like Loney, Stokes was slowed by the lingering effects of a wrist injury. While he wasn't as impressive as he was in 2002, when he hit .341-27-75 to earn Midwest League MVP honors, most scouts considered Stokes the FSL's best power prospect because of his stout frame and quick swing that generates loft. Stokes has power to all fields and understands situational hitting, though he strikes out too much and doesn't draw enough walks. He's adequate at first base and won't hurt his team defensively.
In most years, Stokes would have been an easy choice for the MWL's No. 1 prospect. He was the league's MVP, and managers rated him the best batting prospect and most exciting player. The skippers tabbed Nelson as the circuit's top power hitter, but scouts said Stokes, who led the MWL in batting, homers and slugging (a minor league-best .645), should have won that honor as well. Plagued by back and hamstring injuries in his 2001 pro debut, Stokes played through a painful cyst in his left wrist until shutting down in August to have surgery. He's merely a decent first baseman, is pull-conscious and sometimes strikes out in bunches, but the offensive payoff is worth it. "He was the best player in the league by far, a man among boys," said Fort Wayne manager Tracy Woodson, who vividly recalled a matchup between Stokes and Wizards closer Rusty Tucker, whose fastball sits in the mid-90s. "We wondered if he could hit a good fastball, and we sent Tucker in and said we'd find out. He took Tucker out to right-center, way out of the park. It was a line drive that got out in a hurry."
Stokes was considered the most promising power bat in the 2000 draft, but after spending much of his first pro season nursing a sore lower back, he has yet to show it. But managers could see his potential. "He has above-average power," Boles said. "But he also has a chance to be a pretty good hitter. He has a good idea at the plate, he just hasn't had enough at-bats yet." A first baseman in high school, Stokes has been learning to play the outfield because of the presence of 2000's top overall draft pick, Adrian Gonzalez, in the Marlins organization. It has been a difficult adjustment for a player charitably described as thick, though he's making progress.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Miami Marlins in 2005
Rated Best Power Prospect in the Southern League in 2004
Rated Best Batting Prospect in the Midwest League in 2002
Rated Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League in 2002
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Miami Marlins in 2001
Scouting Reports
Ranked the top high school power hitter in the 2000 draft, Stokes dropped out of the top 10 only because of signability concerns. He was ready to attend Texas until the Marlins forked over a $2.027 million bonus. He was the leading hitter in extended spring training, launching several tape-measure shots. Stokes homered onto the roof of the Expos complex in Jupiter and another time sent a broken-bat shot over the left-field wall. His stay at short-season Utica, however, was sabotaged from the start by injuries. He went 3-for-5 in his professional debut, then landed on the disabled list with a sore lower back. The cause of the injury was unclear, with theories ranging from the torque of Stokes' swing to the poor quality of his mattress. Stokes missed a month, then pulled a hamstring after his return. After making progress in his routes and jumps back during extended spring, the converted first baseman played just five games in left field at Utica, serving mainly as a DH. Despite his raw power he tends to get too pull-conscious, missing badly on breaking balls and piling up strikeouts. He runs well for a big man but would run better if he lost 10-15 pounds.
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