Marcus Nettles

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked San Diego Padres #30 prospect in 2003
  In an organization loaded with speedsters, no player has more pure speed than Nettles. With a 6.2-second time, he might be able to beat any player in baseball in a 60-yard dash. Nettles runs like a sprinter, lifting his legs high and taking a while to accelerate, so he's not quite as quick as Bernie Castro down the first-base line. But that hasn't stopped Nettles from leading the Northwest and California leagues in stolen bases in his first two pro seasons. Managers rated him the best and fastest baserunner in the Cal League last year. Nettles still needs to refine the art of basestealing after getting caught a minor league-high 26 times in 2002, and has a lot of learning to do in other facets of the game. His ground-ball approach and exceptional patience serve him well as a leadoff prospect. But he'll have to improve his .299 slugging percentage, and he can get too passive at the plate, leading to too many called third strikes. Improving his ability to bunt would make him more dangerous. Nettles has incredible range in the outfield, but it's offset by his very weak arm. He broke the humerus bone in his arm as a high schooler and hasn't thrown well since. He does get to balls quickly, which helps, but his arm still makes him a left fielder. He injured his right foot during the Cal League playoffs, costing him valuable developmental time in instructional league. Nettles will play in Double-A this season.