Miami Palms Blog

Chris Korb is another in a long line of middle infield prospects to come through the Miami Palms system. In his rookie season he demonstrated some serious power, with 8 home runs in less than 200 at bats, coupled with a . 312 average at season's end. He won't crack the starting lineup this year quite yet with some entrenched players with better gloves out there, but you can be assured that his time is coming.

Blake Johnston had all the tools to be a solid starting pitcher. He suppresses solid contact and keeps home run totals down, he has excellent control, walking very few while striking out a respectable number of batters. He was afflicted by such terrible luck in his first month of the season last year that his final season numbers were a poor reflection of his season. He ended with a 4.34 ERA despite a FIP of 3.35. The hope is that better luck will come to Johnston in 2014 and he will claim a position as a top of the rotation starter.

Kelly Johnson is the best player at the Palms' weakest position. He hit 21 home runs last year and has experience with the position, which is good. Unfortunately, he also struck out 141 times and only had a . 258 average, which is bad, particularly in Miami. His position on the field is what will allow him a starting spot in 2014, as Johnny Giavotella isn't yet ready to take over, and Chris Korb is significantly less comfortable on the right side of the infield as he is on the left If he can produce the same numbers in 2014 as in 2013, he won't be a disaster at the bottom of the order.