Prospect Profile: Kendry Flores

The Miami Marlins acquired a pair of prospects in the recent deal that sent third baseman and National League Comeback Player of the Year, Casey McGehee to the San Francisco Giants. One of those prospects, is right-handed pitcher Kendry Flores. The recently-turned 23-year-old was signed by the Giants as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, and started his professional career in the Dominican Summer League, posting an impressive 7-2 record to go along with an ERA of 2.18 in 13 starts.

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Over the next three years however, his record and ERA were not nearly as good, with the lowlight being a 5.06 ERA for the Salem-Keizer Quakes in 2011. Scouts have taken note that early on in his career, Flores was considered an extreme groundball pitcher, but that quickly changed as his GO/AO rate steadily decreased starting in 2009, going from 1.89, to 2012, where it sat at 0.70. So what does that mean for he and the Marlins moving forward?

Depending on how one looks at it, being a fly ball pitcher is never a good thing. Especially given the fact that he would eventually see time on the mound in some smaller ballparks. A plus to Flores, is his K/9 rate, having been consistent throughout his minor league career, posting a career best in 2014 at 9.5. The home runs allowed could be a product of two things: his increase in moving towards fly ball outs, and the fact that he pitched in the Cal League, which is considered similar to the Pacific Coast League-meaning hitter-friendly.

Flores has consistently flown under the radar by most accounts, never having topped a prospect list, but he did appear as the #14-ranked prospect by Beyond The Box Score prior to the start of last season. Flores finished last season in High-A ball in San Jose, and could be considered an option a couple years down the road. This pick-up by the Marlins just adds more depth to their minor league pitching, which is always a solid net given all the team had to give up was a journeyman third baseman in McGehee, who has probably seen his best days come and go.

Next: Marlins Seeking 4th Outfielder

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