Stone Garrett

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #9 prospect in 2017
  Garrett passed on a Rice commitment to sign with the Marlins in 2014 for $162,400. He missed more than two months in 2016 after injuring his hand in an incident with 2015 first-rounder Josh Naylor that involved a knife. The Marlins termed it a "prank gone bad," but Miami subsequently traded Naylor in July, while Garrett's agent, Larry Reynolds, told reporters the incident was not just horseplay gone awry. Garrett needed three stitches and sustained some nerve damage to his right thumb, which necessitated surgery. Garrett has above-average strength, speed and power potential, with a premium pro body, but his raw tools need a lot of refinement. It's difficult to gauge how much the rehab and injury factored into Garrett's struggles upon his return--he went 10-for-76 with 24 strikeouts. Well-regarded for his self-motivating makeup, he has a lot of work to do on his offensive approach. He needs to use his lower half in his swing better to tap into his raw power. He may wind up in left field rather than center, putting further pressure on his bat. Garrett went to instructional league before getting some extra reps in the Australian Baseball League. He's raw enough that he could repeat low Class A Greensboro in 2017.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #4 prospect in 2016
  Gregory Garrett got the nickname "Stone" as a chip off the old block from his dad, a former football player called "Rock." He received some college football recruiting interest but was committed to Rice to play baseball before signing for $162,000. He struggled in his pro debut but dominated at short-season Batavia in 2015, leading the New York-Penn League in home runs (11), RBIs (46) and slugging (.581). Strong and physical, Garrett looks the part of a football player with a muscular frame. His plus raw power and plus bat speed started to show up in 2015. He also made mechanical adjustments to loosen his stiff swing, which had hindered his ability to get to his power. He also improved his approach at the plate, more confident to let some pitches pass, but he'll have to control the strike zone better as he progresses. When he makes contact, the ball has a different sound off the bat, scouts say. He's an above-average runner whose angles and routes have improved in center field, but those attributes and his throwing arm, particularly his accuracy, need work. Garrett has worked to be a viable center fielder but may need to move to a corner, which would put more pressure on his bat. The Marlins praise his makeup and desire, and he overcame a late wrist injury to take part in instructional league. Garrett should play at low Class A Greensboro in 2016.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #252 prospect in 2014 draft
  Strong and physically developed at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, Garrett looks the part of a pro corner outfielder, drawing comparisons to Glenn Braggs. He's committed to Rice and most scouts expect him to be a productive player for the Owls. He had a chance to go out in the first five rounds this spring but just didn't hit with enough authority for scouts. He's fairly stiff and mechanical with his swing, which hinders his raw power, and in his defensive actions, as he's played mostly left field this spring. He's an above-average runner, though his 6.47-second time over 60 yards at a Perfect Game showcase last summer appears to be an outlier.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked New York-Penn League #11 prospect in 2015
  A Rice commit out of high school, Garrett instead signed with the Marlins as an eighth-round pick for $162,400 as a high-upside, thick-bodied athlete. He struggled in his pro debut, with just four extra-base hits and no homers in 148 at-bats. This season, however, Garrett's plus raw power and plus bat speed started to translate to results. He led the NYP in home runs (11), slugging (.581) and OPS (.933). Like many young power hitters, swing-and-miss is part of Garrett's package. He needs more maturation as a hitter but still showed an improved ability to make consistent contact. An above-average runner and athlete, he has a similar corner-outfielder profile as Staten Island's Jhalan Jackson and, like Jackson, has drawn comparisons with Glenn Braggs. "He's kind of separated himself from the pack this year," one NYP manager said. Added another: "He's somebody you definitely know and are aware of when he's hitting."

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Garrett passed on a Rice commitment to sign with the Marlins in 2014 for $162,400. He missed more than two months in 2016 after injuring his hand in an incident with 2015 first-rounder Josh Naylor that involved a knife. The Marlins termed it a "prank gone bad," but Miami subsequently traded Naylor in July, while Garrett's agent, Larry Reynolds, told reporters the incident was not just horseplay gone awry. Garrett needed three stitches and sustained some nerve damage to his right thumb, which necessitated surgery. Scouting Report: Garrett has above-average strength, speed and power potential, with a premium pro body, but his raw tools need a lot of refinement. It's difficult to gauge how much the rehab and injury factored into Garrett's struggles upon his return--he went 10-for-76 with 24 strikeouts. Well-regarded for his self-motivating makeup, he has a lot of work to do on his offensive approach. He needs to use his lower half in his swing better to tap into his raw power. He may wind up in left field rather than center, putting further pressure on his bat.
  
  The Future: Garrett went to instructional league before getting some extra reps in the Australian Baseball League. He's raw enough that he could repeat low Class A Greensboro in 2017.