Prospect Suggs lends another power arm

JUPITER, Fla. -- Fastball velocity is not registered by the height of a pitcher.

Marlins prospect Colby Suggs is among a growing list to prove hard-throwers come in all sizes. The 22-year-old right-hander has had his fastball velocity clocked as high as 99 mph.

"There are a lot of short guys out there who are throwing pretty hard right now," Suggs said. "I'm not your prototypical 6-foot-5 pitcher. I go out there and compete. That's what I bring to the table."

At his recent physical, Suggs was measured at 5-11 1/2.

"Six foot in shoes," he said.

Suggs is quick to remind Craig Kimbrel and Fernando Rodney are small in stature but possess power arms.

A compact, 230-pounder who is one of the strongest Miami prospects in the weight room, Suggs is regarded as a bulldog on the mound.

"I work out hard, I'll say that," he said. "I like to have fun off the field. Once you step on the field, it's all business. I like to attack hitters and just dominate them. I think that is everybody's goal when they're on the mound."

The Marlins plan on getting a good look at Suggs on the mound in Spring Training.

A non-roster invitee, the right-hander was Miami's compensatory second-round Draft pick out of the University of Arkansas last year.

Like they have with many of their young prospects, the Marlins are giving Suggs a taste of big league camp, and what to expect down the line.

Suggs made 22 Minor League appearances last year, posting a 3.29 ERA in 22 appearances. He struck out 38 in 27 1/3 innings and saw action in 14 games at Class A Advanced Jupiter.

"Right now, I'm just trying to soak it in, and just enjoy the experience," he said. "You try to get better by watching some of the older guys, and getting to know them a little bit. I'm trying to get comfortable picking their brains. It's pretty cool to see all these guys who have had a lot of success."

In college, Suggs was primarily a fastball-curveball pitcher. He describes the curveball more as a "slurve" with the way it breaks. He's been working on a changeup, but it isn't yet polished.

"It's a developing pitch right now," he said. "I've been working on it hard in the offseason. It's coming along. Obviously, I'm not going to learn a new pitch in a year after I've been pitching for so many years."