Drafted in the 2nd round (53rd overall) by the Miami Marlins in 2003 (signed for $675,000).
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Another draft-eligible sophomore, Kensing surfaced as a possible first-round pick when he unveiled an explosive sinker in a season-opening tournament at the Astros' Minute Maid Park. The pitch usually arrives at 90-92 and is so heavy that batters struggled to put it in play in the air. He also has a four-seam fastball that has topped out at 94 mph, a high-70s slider and a splitter that serves as his changeup. He generates so much arm speed that it sometime affects the command of his slider. More of a position player in high school and never a regular starting pitcher before 2003, Kensing wore down at midseason and earning a temporary demotion to the bullpen. Now he probably will last until the second round.
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When the Marlins were hit with a spate of doubleheaders in September and needed an emergency starter, they reached all the way down to high Class A for a solution. That Kensing wound up going 0-3, 12.65 in three fill-in starts hardly hurts his standing in the organization. Rather, his strong makeup shined through as he made the best of a difficult situation. Kensing stuck around and built some confidence in a few mop-up relief outings. He figures to start this season at Double-A, where he will use a 91-94 mph fastball, solid-average slider and developing changeup to keep working toward a permanent spot in the Marlins rotation. He throws out of a three-quarters arm slot and has done a better job maintaining a consistent delivery. He struggled with his slider in the majors as it tends to flatten out. A minor groin injury caused Kensing to miss some time at midseason, but his arm has been sound throughout his pro career. Primarily a shortstop in high school and a part-time reliever at Texas A&M, Kensing signed for $675,000. A former college teammate of Marlins outfield prospect Eric Reed, Kensing has a calm mound presence and doesn't let bad calls or defensive miscues rattle him.
If the 2003 draft had been held in April rather than June, Kensing would have been a first-round pick. Primarily a shortstop in high school and a part-time reliever as a Texas A&M freshman in 2002, he was one of the most impressive pitchers in the college ranks at the outset of last year. But while his lack of pitching experience means he has a fresh arm, he also wasn't conditioned to hold up over the entire college season. He didn't have any arm problems but his stuff wasn't as crisp in the second half, which is why the Marlins were able to snag him in the second round and sign him for $675,000. When he's on, Kensing throws a heavy 90-94 mph sinker with tremendous boring action out of a three-quarters slot. His slider can be a plus pitch as well but it also can flatten out. Too often he has trouble repeating his delivery, which detracts from his stuff. He drops his front shoulder, costing him valuable leverage. At times, the Matt Clement-like movement Kensing achieves with his pitches makes them difficult to command. He's competitive and athletic and has shown leadership qualities. He could start back at low A Greensboro with the potential to move fast once he gets his mechanics sorted out.
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