Allen Baxter

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #27 prospect in 2005
  Baxter ranked fifth on this list after his first pro season then blew out his elbow four starts into his follow-up campaign. Tommy John surgery and a couple of minor setbacks left him back in the New York-Penn League last year. His numbers were ugly, but his fastball was reaching 98 mph, about three mph better than before surgery. He pitches at 93-94 mph with great natural movement on both his four- and two-seam fastballs. His hard-breaking curve remains a plus pitch and his changeup is advanced. Signed quickly for $450,000 out of a Virginia high school, he has a prototypical pitcher's frame that has drawn comparisons to Curt Schilling and Kerry Wood. He still needs to add mental maturity and show more outward desire but his work habits have improved greatly due to the strains of rehab. He had to fight through a mental funk during the year, especially with the results not where he would like them, but the Marlins are encouraged by his progress.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #29 prospect in 2003
  Baxter roared into prospect status a year ago, debuting at No. 5 in the organization after a dazzling first season of pro ball. Four starts into 2002, however, reality struck. He threw a pitch for Kane County and felt a strange sensation in his elbow. He threw a couple of more pitches and still felt odd, walking off the mound for what would be the last time all year. Baxter had Tommy John surgery on his elbow and is shooting for a full return by instructional league 2003. Before the injury, he pitched at 90-91 mph and hit 95 on several occasions. Club officials raved about the Kevin Brown-style movement on both his two- and four-seam fastballs. Baxter's curveball already was a plus pitch, and his changeup was advanced. Baxter has a prototypical pitcher's frame that has drawn comparisons to Curt Schilling and Kerry Wood. He signed quickly for $450,000, in part because he had no major college options. He still needs to add maturity, and some in the organization would like to see him display more outward desire.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #5 prospect in 2002
  Baxter emerged from a pack of high school righthanders the Marlins were considering in the early rounds of the 2001 draft. He signed quickly for $450,000, then wasted little time establishing himself. Baxter pitches at 90-91 mph and has hit 95, a couple of ticks higher than his peak before signing. Marlins officials say he has Kevin Brown-style movement on both his two- and four-seam fastballs, explosive weapons he's still learning to harness. His curve is a plus pitch, and his changeup and command are advanced for a first-year pro. Baxter's makeup is solid, he accepts instruction well and he's quietly intimidating on the mound. He has a prototypical pitcher's frame. He has no weaknesses that are obvious other than a lack of professional experience. He has junked a slider at the Marlins' request and still can improve his changeup. Baxter got a taste of short-season ball and figures to open the year in extended spring training, but his rapid progress could entice the Marlins to send him to Kane County.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #17 prospect in 2001
  Baxter didn't have much of a following among scouts before this spring, when he blossomed into a third-round pick. He had one enthusiastic supporter in his own manager, Jon Deeble, who rated Baxter the best prospect in the Eastern Division. "I really like the way the ball comes out of his hand," Deeble said. "He's big and strong, has a good feel for a breaking ball and changeup, and his fastball tops out at 94."

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  Baxter didn't have much of a following among scouts before this spring, when he blossomed into a third-round pick. He had one enthusiastic supporter in his own manager, Jon Deeble, who rated Baxter the best prospect in the Eastern Division. "I really like the way the ball comes out of his hand," Deeble said. "He's big and strong, has a good feel for a breaking ball and changeup, and his fastball tops out at 94."