Miami Marlins: A look at what the Fish might do in this years draft

The Miami Marlins desperately need to hit on their first round selection in this years draft. Picking at no. 13, here’s where the Fish might choose to go.

This years draft appears to be a deep one. Without a consensus number one pick, talent will be replete for teams picking all the way through. The Miami Marlins are sitting at no. 13 in this years draft. With the farm system regarded as the worst in professional baseball, they need to make their pick count.

Winning teams are built through the draft. The list of players taken after the first round who went on to become superstars is long. However, attempting to predict who will be available in later rounds of the draft is practically impossible.

The first round is the most scrutinized and the most discussed. It’s where teams select players they think can change the direction of their franchise. It’s where you’re supposed to be able to find cornerstone pieces for years to come.

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There’s not one formula to picking the right prospect in the first round. Many times, teams will look for players that are almost MLB ready. Other approaches might see a star prep school stud taken early, then developed over several years. Whatever the approach, first-rounders are expected to produce at a high level in the Major Leagues.

With all that said, here’s the likeliest avenue for the Miami Marlins to take in this years draft:

D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta, GA., 18 years old

This appears to be the likeliest selection for the Marlins. Hall is regarded as one of the top left handed pitchers in this years draft. The Marlins would be thrilled if he fell to number 13 in the draft, as he possess everything you look for in a top of the rotation starter. Standing at 6 foot 2 inches, Hall may continue to grow.

Hall has the ability to run his fastball up to 96 mph on occasion, but usually sits between 90-94 mph. They project his velocity to increase several ticks before he reaches maturity. With the best curveball of any pitcher coming out of high school in the draft, the addition of a third pitch makes Hall highly coveted.

Scouts are raving about Hall’s ultra-competitive makeup, and consider it a plus along with his more tangible attributes. Currently with a soft commitment to Florida State, a selection in the first round would likely be enough to sway him to sign.

Alex Faedo, RHP, University of Florida, 21 years old

Alex Faedo is imposing on the mound. Towering at 6 foot 5 inches, Faedo weighs in at a powerful 225 pounds. Part of a Gators pitching staff that sent a number of players to the top rounds of the draft last year, Faedo was the best of the bunch.

In his 17 starts with the Gators this past season, Faedo went 13-3 with a 3.18 ERA. His fastball sits somewhere in the 90-94 mph range, occasionally touching 95 mph. He gets good sinking movement on his fastball, and has a slider that sits around 87 mph with a lot of movement; it is often used as his out pitch. He has a plus change up that sits in the low 80’s, but rarely uses it. That will have to change.

Faedo’s stock has taken something of a hit, which is why he might fall to the Marlins at 13. He has had surgery on both knees recently, but has pitched strongly since returning. Teams don’t appear concerned, and he is expected to be the first college arm off the board.

Faedo is more MLB ready than Hall, and so is an appealing option for a Miami Marlins team in need of reinforcements. While Hall is at least four or five years away, Faedo may be only two or three.

Griffin Canning, RHP, UCLA, 21 years old

Griffin Canning presents another likely selection for the Fish. This would be a safe selection for the Marlins, but would likely only occur if there was a run on right handed college arms early on. Canning is safe, if unexciting pick for the Fish. He could develop into a mid-rotation starter before too long.

Possessing four viable pitches, Canning effectively pitches for both contact and strikeouts. His fastball sits in the low 90’s, but he can run it up into the mid-90’s when trying to blow it by someone for an out. His change up is his most effective pitch. Using the same arm speed and slot as his fastball, the two set each other up nicely. He also throws a curveball and slider considered to be Major League average.

With an athletic, repeatable delivery, Canning likely isn’t a candidate for wear-and-tear type injuries. He would likely be ready to make his appearance in the Major Leagues before staying in the lower levels for too long.

Conclusion

The Marlins also possess a compensatory first round selection. They’re almost guaranteed to go with a pitcher in the first round; the system is totally depleted of arms. If they can snatch up Hall, they’ll be willing to bite the bullet for his slow development. If not, a college arm is more likely.

In the succeeding rounds, expect them to go to town on the toolsy outfielders that dominate this draft. They lack real hitters on the farm as well, and are looking for a total reload in this years draft.

Next: J.T. Riddle showing surprising improvement for Marlins

The MLB draft will take place on June 12th. Be sure to keep an eye on what the Marlins do with their selection, as it is their most critical in many years.