Mike Stanton was selected with the Florida Marlins second round pick of the 2007 draft. At the age of 18, in 2008, Stanton led the Greensboro Grasshoppers of the South Atlantic League with 39 home runs. He posted an OPS of 1.171 for the Jacksonville Suns of the Southern League with 21 home runs in only 53 games.
Stanton's performance was worthy of a call up to the parent club in June of 2010, and hit 22 home runs in 100 games before his 21st birthday. He also struck out 123 times in only 359 at bats, a K-rate of 34.3%.
2011 was Stanton's first full season with Florida. He hit an NL fifth best of 34 home runs along with 87 RBI. He still has to learn a little patience at the plate, as he struck out 166 times, the third highest total in the NL.
Stanton was selected as the Florida Marlins Most Valuable Player in 2011. Hopefully, he will remain in right field for Florida for a few more awards.