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.