Prospect Spotlight
Prospect Spotlight
#50 OF Kenny Berkenbosch
Height: 6’2, Weight: 205
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Born: March 17, 1985
Place: Flevoland, Netherlands
Signed in 2002
Career Statistics
Year Team AB R HRs RBIs SB BB SO OBP
SLG
2002 Gulf Coast 9 1 0 1 0 1
2 .455 .444
2003 Gulf Coast 127 12 0 13 3 16 22
.326 .291
Strengths:
Berkenbosch has
tremendous size and is very well built for such a young player. For that reason
he is projected to develop into plus power prospect with better than average
speed. In the field, Berkenbosch has an above average throwing arm and has very
good range due to his above average speed. For a young player who has not played
against very much talent in his Netherlands’s homeland, he has adapted well to
playing against better competition which is a testament to his self-confidence
and willingness to learn.
Areas for Development:
Coming from the Netherlands where baseball development
is still in its infancy, Berkenbosch has not received the coaching necessary to
learn the finer points of the game. At this point in his development he is seen
as a completely raw talent but one with tremendous natural skills and physical
ability. Being that he just turned 18 his power has still not developed but the
organization feels that it will develop as he matures. Right now he has shown
good ability to hit the fastball but still needs work on off-speed and breaking
pitches. A reason for this weakness is that prior to coming to US he has not
seen many quality pitchers with the ability to throw breaking pitches. In the
field, Kenny has the foot speed and arm strength to become a better than average
OFer in either the LF or RF position. However, he must learn how to better
respond to the ball off contact, how to position himself properly to make throws
on the move, to take better angles in his pursuit of fly balls, and become more
comfortable going back on deep flys. Scouts however are intrigued with his size,
natural talent, and his eagerness to learn.
Projection
The Marlins
were extremely excited when they signed Berkenbosch as a 16 year old in 2002.
Marlins Director of International Relations Fred Ferreira upon signing Kenny
said that “Berkenbosch reminds me of a young Tim Salmon type.” In 2002, the
organization gave Berkenbosch limited exposure in the Gulf Coast league and for
a 17 year old he responded well in limited duty. In 2003, he was given an
expanded role and showed progress in his development. Berkenbosch showed
advancement in all areas in which he needs improvement. He made better contact,
showed improved discipline at the plate, and showed advancement in the field.
Even with this advancement it is still just a step in the mile that it’s going
to take for Berkenbosch to become an everyday major league player. However, the
talent is there and the eagerness to learn will be a tremendous asset in his
development.
Because Berkenbosch is so raw and has so much room for
development he is probably a good 4-5 years away from a shot with the big team.
But since he is only 18 years old, both the Marlins and Berkenbosch are patient
in the development of his tremendous talent. He will start the 2004 season with
the Jamestown Jammers of the New York Penn League with a possible advancement to
Greensboro.