Meet Florida Marlins' Top Prospect: Jose Ceda

Continuing my 30 part series where I take a trip around the major leagues and pick one prospect from each to profile, this week I'll do Florida Marlins prospect Jose Ceda.

Let's start off with Jose Ceda was born on January 28, 1987 in the Dominican Republic.

He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Padres in 2006.

Ceda was sent to the Arizona League Padres where he posted a 2-0 record, 5.09 ERA in eight games, four of which he started.

Adding to that he gave up 14 runs, 13 hits, 13 walks and strucko ut 31.

Not sparkling but coming right out of the highest amateur level in the Dominican Republic what else can you expect, he was a raw talent.

However on trade deadline day 2006 he was dealt to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Todd Walker.

The Cubs immediatley sent him to the Arizona League Cubs.

For the AZL Cubs he went 0-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances totaling 12 innings of work. Striking out 21 he began to prove that his ability to strike people out was tremendous.

Ceda was called up to the Low-A Boise Hawks.

In Boise, he went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, all in three games all of which were starts.

Also he tallied 11 innings of work, five hits allowed, four earned runs, two walks and 11 strikeouts.

In 2007, he began the season with the AZL Cubs.

For the Cubs he put together a 0-0 record, 2.45 ERA, and 1.36 WHIP in two games one of which was a start.

He only gave up one hit, one run, three walks and struck out another three. All of these came in 3.2 innings pitched.

Ceda was calle up to the Class-A Peoria Chiefs.

While with the Chiefs he went 2-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in six starts and 15 relief appearances.

He pitched 46.1 innings, and gave up 14 hits, 18 runs, 16 were earned and 31 walks. Ceda struck out an astounding 66 batters!

2008 found the Cubs top prospect showing what he had with the High-A Dayton Dragons.

In Dayton, he went 2-2 and had a 4.80 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 12 starts and three appearances in relief.

Pitching in 54.1 innings, he gave up 41 hits, 29 runs, 28 walks and struck out 53.

Chicago felt strongly enough about his numbers to give him a callup to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies.

In Tennessee he went 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 22 games all of which were in relief.

He pitched in 30.1 innings, giving up 26 hits, seven earned runs, 14 walks and 42 strikeouts.

On November 13, 2008, the Cubs shipped Ceda to the Florida Marlins for closer Kevin Gregg.

So far this year pitching for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns he has yet to get in a game.