Miami Marlins Sign First Rounder Colin Moran

June 11, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina third basemen Colin Moran (18) triples in a one run during the sixth inning against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Chapel Hill Super Regional of the NCAA baseball tournament at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the Gamecocks 5-4. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have signed 2013 first round draft pick Colin Moran.  He has reportedly signed for the slot bonus amount which for the sixth overall pick is about $3.5 million.  The left handed hitting third baseman will begin play in the Marlins minor league system and is expected to advance quickly.

Moran led his University of North Carolina team to the College World Series this past June.  He posted an outstanding .345/.470/.544 slash line with the Tar Heels this season along with 13 home runs and 91 RBI.  He is the nephew of former MLB All Star, B.J. Surhoff.

The Marlins saw Moran as one of the premier college bats in the country and a hitter with a very polished approach.  Scouts believe he will have gap power, likely topping out at about 20 home runs, but providing plenty of doubles especially at Marlins Park.  Moran works the count well and hits to all fields.

Defensively, Moran can handle third base and is expected to provide a solid, but unspectacular glove at the hot corner.  He was seen as one of the safer picks in the draft though probably not a future star.

In drafting Moran, the Marlins were able to help fill a need in a system with little third base talent while still grabbing one of the top talents available at the time.  Moran was projected to be a sure top 10 pick and possibly slide into the top 5.