Rick Van Den Hurk

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #13 prospect in 2007
  Signed at 17 out of the Marlins' Dutch academy, Vanden Hurk was one of the better European signs for former international scouting supervisor Fred Ferreira. A converted catcher, he has been pitching for just four years but shows more polish than you would expect--especially considering he had Tommy John surgery in 2005. He's also one of the hardest workers in the system and shows great makeup. He came back late in 2006 from his elbow surgery and showed no ill effects. He pitched at 90-92 mph and topped out at 94 with late life. He babies his slow curveball at times, but has shown the ability to throw it harder and sharper. His changeup is coming along, and he has picked up a cutter as well. Smart and coachable, he has a long, loose frame and an easy motion that creates deception. Mound time is Vanden Hurk's biggest need because he still lapses into bad habits mechanically, such as throwing across his body. He was sent to Hawaii Winter Baseball for more innings and projects as back-of-the-rotation starter in the majors. After pitching just 54 innings over the past two seasons, Vanden Hurk will try to carry a full workload this season, which he could open back in high Class A.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #32 prospect in 2006
  Signed at 17 out of the Marlins' Dutch academy, Vanden Hurk was one of the better European finds for the club under former international scouting supervisor Fred Ferreira. A converted catcher, Vanden Hurk has pitched for just three years but is polished. He's also one of the hardest workers in the Florida system and has great makeup. Shoulder tendinitis slowed him early in the 2005 season, and an elbow problem caused him to be shut down in August. In between he made progress at two Class A stops. A strike-thrower, he pitches at 88-92 mph and tops out at 94 mph with his fastball, which has late life. He tightened up his curveball and used it more often, as he did with a developing changeup. Mound time is a must for Vanden Hurk, who still lapses into bad habits mechanically, such as throwing across his body. Though he figures to start out back at high Class Jupiter for the third straight year, he still projects as a No. 3 or 4 starter in the majors.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #15 prospect in 2005
  Signed at 17 out of the Marlins' Dutch academy, Vandenhurk has been far more successful than most of his fellow European imports in the system. A converted catcher, he has been pitching for only two years but shows far more polish than you would expect. Despite a big frame with a lot of moving parts he features a smooth, effortless delivery. One of the youngest pitchers in the high Class A Florida State League at age 19, he distinguished himself on a strong high Class A rotation that landed all five members on this Top 30 list. He is a hard worker with good mound presence who prides himself on his physical conditioning. His pitches at 90-92 mph, tops out at 94 mph and has late life on his fastball. He has a developing changeup and an average curveball with good spin that he simply needs to tighten up. A strike thrower, he was dominant for his first eight starts, for the most part beating hitters with just his fastball. His command suffered somewhat in his final six outings, and he missed a couple of late-season starts with biceps tendinitis. If he doesn't start the year at Double-A, it won't be long before he gets there.