Miami, FL

Despite all the hype surrounding him, Miami Marlins No. 1 prospect Christian Yelich is not in a hurry to make a jump to the big league, saying he's taking his time to fully develop his talent.

"You want to take your time," Yelich said. "They'll let you know when you're ready. It's not my job to tell them when I'm ready to play in the big leagues. It's their job to tell me when I'm ready to play in the big leagues."

Yelich is expected to get attention when Spring Training and projections will continue to rise until the 21-year-old outfielder reaches his ultimate destination.

"You hear about it," Yelich said of the hype. "You kind of start to understand what is expected from you. You kind of expect that out of yourself, too."

"Speaking for myself, I have high expectations. I know other people do also. It's an honor, and it's good to be viewed that way. Hopefully, everything works out," he added.

In 2010, Giancarlo Stanton also drew attention as a powerhouse prospect until he made it to the Major League and became one of the most dangerous sluggers in the game.

Sources said Yelich's leap to the big league could happen in the second half of 2013 or he can be a September callup. However, if the team decides that a complete Double-A season is necessary, fans will have to wait until next season to see Yelich in big league action.

A first-round pick of the Marlins in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Thousand Oaks, California, Yelich posted strong numbers in his two full Minor League seasons.

In 2011, he batted .312 with 15 homers and 77 RBIs for low Class A Greensboro then followed that up by hitting .330 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs at advanced Class A Jupiter, and now he is earmarked to open this year at Double-A Jacksonville.

The Marlins have already said that once a prospect shows he can perform at Double-A, they will not hesitate to bring him up to the big leagues.

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