Marquise Cooper Interview

Cooper's Swing

Marquise Cooper is an outfielder in the Miami Marlins organization.  He played for Single-A Jamestown last season and was drafted in the third round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft.  He is from Fresno, California.  Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MarquiseCooper

Niklas: What was your favorite team and player growing Up?

Marquise: Favorite Team was the Oakland A’s and favorite player growing up would have to be Ricky Henderson.
Niklas: Good choice.   I’ve heard you’re fast so that makes sense.  Who is faster: You or Emilio Bonifacio?

Marquise: (Laughter)Bonifacio is faster, but,  I’m coming.

Niklas: How was Jamestown and the team?

Marquise: Jamestown was fun.  I had fun with a lot of the guys… the team was great.  I was sorry the season had to finish that way, though.

Niklas: What was it like being drafted in the 3rd round right out of high school?

Marquise: It was crazy because I got drafted on my graduation day right before I walked on stage.  But, I’m truly blessed and thank God.

Niklas: Sounds like a great day.   Do you view yourself as a lead-off hitter?
Marquise: Yes, it was a wonderful day.   But, yeah I do  (view myself as a lead-off man).

Niklas:   What is your approach at stealing a base?
Marquise: Good lead and reading the pitcher until that slight mistake…

Niklas: What do you think of the Marlins stadium?
Marquise: it’s real nice.  Can’t wait to play in it!

Niklas: Is there any reason you wear number 9?
Marquise: It’s my lucky number.

Niklas: Cool… nice number.  How do you feel about playing center field in the MLB?  There are a lot of big hitters in your division and you could be real busy.

Marquise: I like playing center field and I love to get action every chance I get.

Niklas: How do you feel about the moves the Marlins made this offseason and their chances in 2012?

Marquise: I think they made some good moves and it turns out good for the Marlins in 2012

Niklas: What has been your best moment in baseball?
Marquise: I have a lot of good moments in baseball, but, putting in the jersey is something I love to do.
Niklas: That’s a really good thought.  How has the minor leagues been as far as the experience so far?

Marquise:: Minors have been good.  I get to play in a good stadium… meet some great people…

Niklas: What type of glove do you use and why?

Marquise: I use Rawlings… no reason, it was just the first glove I got.

Niklas: Sweet, that was my first glove too.

Niklas: What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen in the minors so far?
Marquise: (Laughter) Funniest thing so far happened this past year on the road when I was on the bus.  We had a joke off and it was hilarious… classic moment!

Niklas: That had to have been funny!  Best MLB Stadium…

Marquise:  My favorite stadium has to be Angel Stadium because I had a pre-draft workout there and it was really nice!

Niklas: Best MLB Player Ever

Marquise: Hank Aaron

Niklas: Best Marlins Player right now
Marquise: I would say Mike Stanton.
Niklas: Best Game you’ve ever played in

Marquise: Hmmm… I would say early in the year (2011) in Jamestown.   I went like 4-5 with a couple of stolen bases and a diving catch.

Niklas: Sounds like your style of play.  So who wins the 2012 World Series?
Marquise: Hopefully the Miami Marlins.   They got my vote!

Niklas: Favorite Vacation Spot

Marquise: Vegas

Niklas: That wraps it up.  Thanks so much Marquise and good luck in 2012!

Marquise: No problem and thank you.  You take care.

This Interview was done by Niklas Jarvinen, follow him on Twitter @Niktigs

Padres Top 20 Prospects- 2012

1. OF Rymer Liriano  GRADE: A
2. C Yasmani Grandal  A
3. SP Robbie Erlin  A
4. 1B Yonder Alonso  A-
5. 1B Anthony Rizzo  A-
6. SP Keyvuis Simpson  A-
7. SP Casey Kelly  A-
8. 3B Jedd Gyorko  A-
9. 2B Cody Spandneberg  B+
10. C Austen Hedges  B+
11. OF Jaff Decker  B+
12. SP Joe Wieland  B+
13. SP Brad Boxberger  B+
14. SP Joe Ross  B+
15. 3B Edinson Rincon B
16. SP Anthony Bass B
17. SP Simon Castro  B-
18. SP Juan Oramas  B-
19. OF Reymond Fuentes  C+
20. 2B Jonathan Galvez  C+

Tigers 2012 Top 80 Prospects

1. SP Jacob Turner A
2. 3B Nick Castellanos A
3. SP Drew Smyly B+
4. OF Tyler Collins B
5. SP Casey Crosby   B
6. OF Tyler Gibson  B-
7. 1B Aaron Westlake  B-
8. SP Andy Oliver C-
9. C James McCann C+
10. SP Brian Flynn C+
11. OF Avisail Garcia C+
12. RP Bruce Rondon C+
13. SP Alex Burgos C+
14. OF Danry Vazquez C+
15. SP Daune Below  C+
16. SP Kyle Ryan C
17. OF Daniel Fields C
18. C Rob Brantly C
19. SP Brenny Paulino C
20. SP Jay Voss C-
21. SS Gustavo Nunez C-
22. 2B Brandon Douglas C-
23. SS Brandon Loy C-
24. RP Matt Hoffman C-
25. RP Luis Marte C-
26. RP Jose Ortega C-
27. 1B Tony Plagman C-
28. 1B Dean Green C-
29. 1B Ryan Strieby C-
30. SS Euigeno Suarez C-
31. SS Dixon Machado C-
32. 1B Jordan Lennerton C-
33. 3B Wade Gaynor C-
34. RP Adam Wilk C-
35. OF Jamie Johnson C-
36. RP Ramon LeBron C-
37. C Brayan Haladay C-
38. 2B Hernan Perez C-
39. 3B Jason King C-
40. 1B James Robbins C-
41. RP Tyler Stohr C-
42. RP Dan Bennett C-
43. SP Kevin Eichhorn C-
44. RP Kenny Faulk C-
45. OF Justin Henry C-
46. OF Chad Wright C-
47. OF Jason Krizan C-
48. OF Ben Guez C-
49. 2B Corey Jones C-
50. 3B Audy Ciriaco C-
51. SS Cale Iorg C-
52. RP Austin Wood C-
53. RP Michael Torrelba C-
54. RP Ryan Roboski C-
55. RP Dan Genztler C-
56. SP Victor Larez C-
57. RP Jade Todd C-
58. RP Eric Heckaman C-
59. OF Luis Castillo C-
60. C Curt Casali
61. OF Steven Moya C-
62. 1B Rawley Bishop C-
63. SS Javier Azcona C-
64. SP Shaun Tueful C-
65. SP Michael Morrison C-
66. RP Ryan Wooley  C-
67. 3B Adlien Santa C-
68. RP Josue Carreno C-
69. RP Matt Course C-
70. OF Brett Wyatt C-
71. 1B Jeff Holm C-
72. 1B Clay Jones C-
73. RP Jordan Gayhart C-
74. SP Trevor Freeny C-
75. RP Rob Waite C-
76. RP Scott Green C-
77. OF Brandon Eckerle C-
78. C Luis Sanz C-
79. 2B Josh Ashbernner C-
80. RP Nate Newmann C-

IF RESIGNED WOULD RANK: OF Ryan Hamme, RP Brendan Wise

Tigers All-MiLB Team- 2012

C: Rob Brantly: FUTURE: Tigers back-up C, could be a low end starter guy on a different team
1B: Jordan Lennerton: FUTURE: Tigers back-up 1B, platoon guy on another team
2B: Brandon Douglas: FUTURE: Tigers platoon or starting 2B, same on another team
3B: Nick Castellanos: FUTURE: Tigers All-Star 3B, Same on another team
SS: Dixon Machado: FUTURE: Tigers Utility Infielder, Same on another team
OF: Justin Henry: FUTURE: Tigers Utility Players, Same on another team
OF: Jamie Johnson: FUTURE: Tigers platoon OF, Same on another team
OF: Ben Guez: FUTURE: Tigers platoon OF, Same on another team
DH: Tony Plagman: FUTURE: Could be useful around field and maybe if Martinez leaves after his four year deal starting DH, Starting 1B on another team
SP: Drew Smyly: FUTURE: Tigers #4 Starter, #3 on another team
SP: Jacob Turner: FUTURE: Tigers #3 Starter, #2 on another team
SP: Alex Burgos: FUTURE: Tigers #5 Starter, #4 on another team
SP: Jay Voss: FUTURE: Tigers Middle Reliever, Same on another team
RP: Kenny Faulk: Tigers Setup Man, Same on another team
CL: Bruce Rondon: Tigers Setup Man, Same on another team
JUST MISSED: 1B Ryan Strieby, 1B Dean Green, SP Casey Crosby, SP Duane Below, SP Kyle Eichhorn, SP Brian Flynn, SP Brennan Smith

Podcast 3: Prospect Podcast

Back to podcasting, hope you like it!  Here’s the link…
http://niktigs15.podomatic.com/entry/2011-07-27T09_36_13-07_00

Top 20 Athletics Prospects- 2011

1. SS Grant Green GRADE- A
2. 1B Chris Carter- A-
3. OF Michael Choice- A-
4. 2B Jemile Weeks- B+
5. SP Tyson Ross- B+
6. OF Michael Taylor- B
7. C Max Stassi- B-
8. SP Ian Krol- B-
9. SS Yordy Cabrera- B-
10. OF Corey Brown- B-
11. OF Aaron Shipman- B-
12. RP Fuanto De Los Santos- C+
13. C Josh Donaldson- C+
14. RP Clayton Mortenson- C+
15. 2B Adrian Cardenas- C+
16. OF Sean Dolittle- C
17. RP Tyystan Magnuson- C
18. 1B Steve Parker- C
19. IF Eric Sogard- C-
20. SP Michael Yona- C-
21. 3B Chad Lewis- C-

TEAM GRADE: C+

Top 20 Diamondbacks Prospects- 2011

1. SP Jarrod Parker GRADE- A
2. 3B Matt Davidson- B+
3. SP Tyler Skaggs- B+
4. OF Marc Krauss- B+
5. 3B Bobby Borchering- B+
6. OF AJ Pollack- B+
7. SS Chris Owings- B+
8. 1B Paul Goldschmit- B
9. SP Wade Miley- B
10. OF Keon Broxton- B-
11. SP Pat Corbin- B-
12. OF Ty Linton- B-
13. OF Collin Cowgill- B-
14. RP Kevin Munson- C+
15. RP Kam Mickolio- C+
16. OF Wagner Mateo- C
17. SP Charles Brewer- C
18. SP Eric Smith- C-
19. SP David Holmberg- C-
20. SS Raul Navarro- C-

TEAM GRADE” C+

Top 20 Blue Jays Prospects- 2011

1. SP Kyle Drabek GRADE: A
2. 2B Brett Lawrie- A
3. OF Anthony Gose- A-
4. C Travis D’Arnuad- A-
5. SP Deck McGuire- B+
6. RP Zach Stewart- B+
7. C JP Arenciba- B
8. SP Asher Wojciechoski- B
9. C Carlos Perez- B
10. SS Adieny Hechavaria- B
11. OF Eric Thames- B
12. SP Aaron Sanchez- B
13. SP Chad Jenkins- B-
14. SP Griffin Murphy- B-
15. SP Henderson Alvarez- C+
16. OF Jake Marisnick- C+
17. 1B David Cooper- C+
18. 3B Kellen Sweeney- C
19. SP Justin Nicolins- C
20. SS Gustavo Pierre- C-
21. SP Adronis Cardova- C-

Who will be the Better MLB Player?-Part 2

I have some more for you and these are based on MLBNetwork upside and aren’t rankings…
Jake McGee vs. Craig Krimbel: McGee
Wilson Ramos vs. Carlos Perez: Ramos
Mark Trumbo vs. Jerry Sands: Trumbo
Nolan Arrenado vs. Zack Cox: Arrenado
Engel Beltre vs. Michael Taylor: Taylor
Simon Castro vs. Mike Minor: Minor
Chance Ruffin vs. Juan Martinez: Martinez
Anthony Gose vs. Gary Brown: Gose
Jason Kipins vs. Billy Hamilton: Kipins
Michael Choice vs. Jared Mitchell: Mitchell, barely
Drew Pomeranz. vs. Zach Lee: Pomeranz
Andy Oliver vs. Andrew Brackman: Oliver
Jordan Lyles vs. Trey McNutt: Lyles
Christian Friedrich vs. Anthony Raunado: Friedich
Brandon Beachy vs. Tyler Skaggs: Skaggs
Daniel Schlereth vs. Tanner Scheppers: Schlereth

Prospect Showdown: Kyle Gibson vs. Jacob Turner

GIBSON: He’s going to be a great pitcher and he has a chance to become a power pitching ace.  He’s going to be a big strikeout pitcher with good stuff, but not the best.  He could be good with Liriano in the future but he might have some struggles in the majors at first and probably won’t have an ERA under 3.00.  He will have many good games and he has a very bright future.  He could be a great on the mound.  He might need some time to develop in the majors.  ETA: late 2011 or early 2012
TURNER: He could be better than Rick Porcello with some more seasoning.  He has great stuff and looks very promising.  He’s an ace in the making.  He has great mechanics to and will put up some great stats in the majors.  He’s tall and that will help him too, there isn’t much not to like.  ETA: sometime in 2012
COMPARISON: Both could be very good and have a good chance to be good but Turner is juts better all-around he gets the edge here.  Gibson will still be good just not quite as good.  Turner will have better numbers and better mechanics, they are really close in stuff though.  They both have legit shots to become aces and should both have good career’s but Turner’s is just going to be flat-out better.