NewsStanton the face of Marlins at Futures Game
Outfielder a major power threat for Jacksonville
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
06/25/09 11:00 AM ET
MIAMI -- In the eyes of many player evaluators, not many prospects have the potential for a brighter future than outfielder Mike Stanton. So it's only fitting that the former three-sport high school standout will represent the Marlins in the 2009 Futures Game.At age 19, Stanton is the youngest player on the USA roster.
At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Stanton has already drawn comparisons with Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.
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Stanton, who turned down a football scholarship from the University of Southern California in 2007 to sign with the Marlins, is a major power threat at Double-A Jacksonville.
A second-round pick in 2007, Stanton belted 39 home runs in 2008 for low Class A Greensboro.
The 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game, pitting the best Minor League prospects from the U.S. against the best from the rest of the world, will be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on All-Star Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m. ET. MLB.com will provide complete coverage before, during and after the game, which can be seen live on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and followed live on Gameday.
Mike Stanton, OF, Double-A Jacksonville (U.S. Team)
Regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball, Stanton is on the fast track to stardom. The 19-year-old from Sunland, Calif., was a second-round pick in 2007. He opened the season at Class A Jupiter but was promoted to Double-A after 50 games.
It's not out of the question that he could be a September callup.
Stanton is the closest power-sensation prospect the Marlins have had since Miguel Cabrera broke into the big leagues at age 20 in 2003.
In 50 games for Jupiter before being promoted to Jacksonville, Stanton batted .294 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 180 at-bats. He projects as a right fielder, but he's also played center field.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
