James Marinan

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #26 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers drafted Marinan in the fourth round and signed him for $822,500 in 2017 after he morphed from an interesting two-way prospect to a hard-throwing pitching prospect as a high school senior. The Reds acquired him one year later with reliever Aneurys Zabala in exchange for relievers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal. Marinan jumped to full-season ball in 2019 and struggled, posting a 5.56 ERA in 17 starts with low Class A Dayton.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marinan's fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph with sink. He is able to spin a curveball that has some depth, but it is inconsistent and needs refinement. Marinan's third offering is a changeup he shows nascent feel for and could become average in time. Control has been an issue for Marinan, whose large 6-foot-5 frame has caused him difficulty repeating his three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marinan's arm strength and feel for two secondary pitches give him potential, but only if he can rein in his control. He'll see high Class A Daytona in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #16 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Marinan went from being an interesting two-way prospect to a much harder throwing pitching prospect as a high school senior. The Dodgers spent big to land Marinan, and signed him for $822,500, which was more than double the slot amount for the fourth-round pick. Los Angeles then turned him quickly into a big leaguer by trading him in a package that landed reliever Dylan Floro.
  
  Scouting Report: Marinan throws from a three quarter arm slot, which helps him get some sink on his low-90s fastball. He also showed he can get some arm-side run on his above-average. He gets some swing and miss with his promising curveball which has good spin, although it needs more refining. His third pitch is a changeup which he shows some feel for and has a chance to be at least average down the road. Like many tall pitchers, he struggles to consistently repeat his delivery, which leads to control problems.
  
  The Future: As a pitcher who is still figuring out how to pitch with premium velocity, Marinan will be on a slower developmental track. He's ready to jump to low Class A Dayton. His frame and stuff makes him a promising starting pitcher, but one who has a long way to go.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #24 prospect in 2018
  Marinan shot up draft boards after showing a velocity boost up to 96 mph as a senior at Park Vista Community High in Lake Worth, Fla. The Dodgers plucked the 6-foot-5 righthander in the fourth round in 2017 and signed him away from a Miami commitment for $822,500, more than double slot amount. Marinan showed promising tools in the rookie-level Arizona League after signing but also showed wildness, with as many walks as strikeouts (14) in 17 innings. Marinan is a long-term project. He sits 90-93 mph with sink on his fastball, but his velocity drops off after the first inning. He is still trying to figure out if a curveball or slider works better for him, although he shows feel to spin in general. At times Marinan will show advanced feel for a changeup and at others none at all. He has a fluid delivery but loses direction in his stride, often going towards first base, which caused his high walk rate. Marinan is physically well put together and a good competitor. The Dodgers believe added strength and mechanical fixes can help him become a three-pitch power starter. He will begin that process in extended spring training to begin 2018.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #58 prospect in 2017 draft
  Marinan isn't a popup prospect in the traditional sense. He's been known among the amateur scouting community for quite a while; Marinan played fot the FTB travel program and participated in key showcase events like PG National and the Metropolitan Baseball Classic. Before his senior year, he was a solid two-way prospect as a physical 6-foot-5 righthander/corner infielder. He pitched in the upper 80s and showed a bit of a velocity boost at MLB's Prospect Development Pipeline showcase in January. Marinan slowly but surely progressed from there, reaching the mid 90s with his fastball, touching 96 and flashing late life down in the strike zone. Marinan's slider flashes the sharp spin to project as at least an average offering, and he shows the ability to backdoor it to lefties or use it as a chase pitch away from righties. Marinan is a strong athlete with a clean arm action and a stable, repeatable delivery. He is committed to Miami, but has shot up draft boards this spring and is expected to be signable where he'll fit in the draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #11 prospect in 2018
  Marinan started his second pro season back in the Arizona League before he was included in a trade from the Dodgers to the Reds in a deal for a couple of big league bullpen arms. With a tall, strong body, Marinan certainly looks the part on the mound. He has a likely ceiling as a fourth or fifth starter with good feel for pitching and a competitive streak that allows him to pitch through tougher outings. Marinan's best pitch is a plus fastball from 92-96 mph, a heavy ball with life down in the zone. The curveball at 75-79 mph shows depth but is inconsistent at the finish, and his changeup shows promise. His command can be inconsistent because of his tall body and the long arm circle in his delivery. "(He has) a great arm. He competes and the frame is really good," Billings manager Ray Martinez said. "He's a tall kid (who is) strong and durable."

• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Dodgers drafted Marinan in the fourth round and signed him for $822,500 in 2017 after he morphed from an interesting two-way prospect to a hard-throwing pitching prospect as a high school senior. The Reds acquired him one year later with reliever Aneurys Zabala in exchange for relievers Dylan Floro and Zach Neal. Marinan jumped to full-season ball in 2019 and struggled, posting a 5.56 ERA in 17 starts with low Class A Dayton.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Marinan's fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 95 mph with sink. He is able to spin a curveball that has some depth, but it is inconsistent and needs refinement. Marinan's third offering is a changeup he shows nascent feel for and could become average in time. Control has been an issue for Marinan, whose large 6-foot-5 frame has caused him difficulty repeating his three-quarters arm slot.
  
  THE FUTURE: Marinan's arm strength and feel for two secondary pitches give him potential, but only if he can rein in his control. He'll see high Class A Daytona in 2020.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Marinan isn't a popup prospect in the traditional sense. He's been known among the amateur scouting community for quite a while; Marinan played fot the FTB travel program and participated in key showcase events like PG National and the Metropolitan Baseball Classic. Before his senior year, he was a solid two-way prospect as a physical 6-foot-5 righthander/corner infielder. He pitched in the upper 80s and showed a bit of a velocity boost at MLB's Prospect Development Pipeline showcase in January. Marinan slowly but surely progressed from there, reaching the mid 90s with his fastball, touching 96 and flashing late life down in the strike zone. Marinan's slider flashes the sharp spin to project as at least an average offering, and he shows the ability to backdoor it to lefties or use it as a chase pitch away from righties. Marinan is a strong athlete with a clean arm action and a stable, repeatable delivery. He is committed to Miami, but has shot up draft boards this spring and is expected to be signable where he'll fit in the draft.