Pair of catching prospects tasting camp

02/26/2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Bolstering their catching depth has been an organizational priority in recent years, and finally some prospects are in the making.
Two young catchers with bright futures are getting a taste of big-league camp: Brad Davis and Brett Hayes.
Davis, a fifth-round pick out of Long Beach State in 2004, was Jason Vargas' catcher in college. Hayes was a compensatory pick last year (79th overall) out of the University of Nevada. The two are projected to catch for Class A Jupiter.
In years past, the Marlins opted to bring veteran catchers into camp. But with so many new faces and young pitchers, the team wanted Davis and Hayes to work with the pitchers while being observed by manager Joe Girardi and bench coach Gary Tuck, who specializes in developing catchers.
"We hope they're the two catchers of the future," said Jim Fleming, the Marlins vice president of player development and scouting. "We wanted Joe to see them and Gary Tuck to see them, and have them see all the pitching. It kind of advances them along a little bit."
On the move: Left-handed reliever Taylor Tankersley, a first-round pick in 2004 out of the University of Alabama, is off to a strong start this spring and has a shot to make the club as a lefty specialist. Tankersley is refining a hard curveball or slider. He's a converted starter, who has relieved in the past.
Names in the game: Bo Porter, who saw some limited playing time in the big leagues, is the new manager of the Jamestown Jammers in the New York-Penn League. A former center fielder, who played briefly with the Cubs (1999), A's (2000) and Rangers (2001), Porter also is the organization's outfield coordinator.
They're No. 1: In 2004, Tankersley was the top pick, and he may make the club or end up in Double-A Carolina. Pitcher Jeff Allison, the first-round pick in 2003, is reporting to camp and could start off in Greensboro. Jeremy Hermida, the first-round choice in 2002, is projected to be the Marlins starting right fielder.
Class of '05: Because of compensatory picks last year, the Marlins had five picks before the second round. The club took all pitchers: Chris Volstadt, Aaron Thompson, Jacob Marceaux, Ryan Tucker and Sean West. All of them has a chance to make the low Class A Greensboro squad. Thus far, the class is tracking the way the club expected. Volstadt, Thompson and Marceaux are showing promise. Volstadt and Thompson have a chance to accelerate through the system as starters. Marceaux is projected as a reliever. And Tucker and West are starting candidates.
What they're saying: "I can't sit there and baby my wrist. I'm ready." -- First baseman Jason Stokes, on battling back from a second wrist surgery

Source: http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/