Nick Maronde – Prospect Profile

 

Prospect Profile – Nike Maronde (LHP)

After a solid start to his professional career in 2011, ranking atop the pioneer league’s crop of prospects, Maronde was one of four players to make it to the big leagues from the 2011 draft class, despite missing May and June with injuries (back, elbow). Maronde looked good in a brief stint out of the Angels bullpen in 2012, striking out seven batters over six innings, while allowing just one run.

Maronde attacks batters with an up-tempo delivery, with solid command of his fastball which sits at 91-93 MPH, touching 95. He’s added a four-seamer with solid movement and throws an improved two-seamer with good sink. Maronde’s out pitch is his slider, which is a plus offering. Maronde’s changeup is a fringe-to-average offering currently, but will need to be refined if he’s going to have success in the big leagues in the starting rotation, which he currently profiles as a solid #3 starter. Maronde repeats his delivery and is athletic around the mound.

The biggest concern for Maronde is his durability and arm action, which some scouts believe could cause trouble for the southpaw going forward. If Maronde isn’t able to incorporate a decent changeup into his arsenal, he could be a solid late inning reliever with shutdown ability with that slider of his. The Angels have yet to announce what they want to do with Maronde going into the 2013 season, but one has to believe that a strong spring camp earns him either a spot at the back end of the rotation or late inning duties out of the bullpen if the Angels need a strikeout.

Check out our interview with Nick Maronde during his 2012 minor league season below.