Nate Rolison

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Miami Marlins #23 prospect in 2002
  Just when Rolison's career was taking off, a freak injury ruined his 2001 season. Rolison fractured the hamate bone in his right wrist while taking batting practice during the winter. He had surgery and a screw was placed in his hand. He rushed back for spring training, but suffered the first of several setbacks. He struggled mightily in the Arizona Fall League, where he took tentative swings and appeared overmatched. Nothing was structurally wrong with his wrist, but Rolison admitted his confidence needed to be rebuilt. The Marlins' minor league player of the year in 2000, Rolison has some of the best power in the organization. It took him awhile, but he learned to turn on pitches on the inner half and drive them out of the park. His strike-zone recognition is good. His defense and speed are below-average, but if he is healthy and productive he should be able to make the final step to the majors.
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  Ranked Miami Marlins #10 prospect in 2001
  Rolison has developed slowly, failing to hit .300 or more than 17 home runs in any of his first five professional seasons. He averaged 144 strikeouts in his first four full years, finally graduating to Triple-A Calgary in 2000 and enjoying a breakout season as Marlins minor league player of the year. A hulking figure, Rolison has possessed some of the best power in the organization for years. He finally figured out how to turn on pitches on the inner half and drive them. He's one of the few Marlins prospects willing to take a walk. His strike-zone recognition is very good. At times he can be too passive with pitches on the outer half, but Rolison did a much better job of driving those balls to left and left-center last season. He's a below-average runner and defender, though he has improved his footwork around the bag. A freak injury during batting practice wiped out Rolison''s planned tour of duty in the Puerto Rican League and likely wrecked whatever chance he had to make the Marlins this spring. He had surgery to repair the hamate bone in his right hand.