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Miami Marlins Pre-Draft Final Thoughts

By Hector Lozada

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 23: (L-R) Brian Miller, Trevor Rogers, and Joe Dunand are introduced before the game between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park on June 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 23: (L-R) Brian Miller, Trevor Rogers, and Joe Dunand are introduced before the game between the Miami Marlins and the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park on June 23, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Word around the baseball industry is that the Marlins are targeting high school bats in order to help with their rebuild.

Both Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com have the Miami Marlins taking the Wisconsin prep outfielder, Jarred Kelenic. This year’s first-round pick is vital to the success of the Marlins’ attempted rebuild. A slip up here could delay the franchise on their path to contention, while a great pick could potentially expedite the process.

This year’s draft is not the deepest or the most elite pool we’ve seen. There is high-value talent available, if you’re willing to squint. After going with a pitcher in the first round five of the last seven drafts, the Marlins have been linked to several hitters the last couple weeks.

Names to Watch

https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline/status/1003632519772823552

Jarred Kelenic- The outfielder from Wisconsin has top-ten talent, yet with many pitchers projected to come off of the board early he might be available for the Marlins at 13. If on the board at 13, Kelenic will most likely be the best player available and too much for the Marlins to pass up.

Connor Scott– If Kelenic is off the board, there is a solid chance that Scott will be the name called at 13. The outfielder has a natural feel to hit and would be a solid selection if the Marlins go this route.

Triston Casas– Due to the South Florida ties Casas has been linked directly to Miami this entire draft process. While he does have premium power, he also has some question marks around his game. Whether or not the questions sway the Marlins away from Casas remains to be seen.

The Pitchers- There is an entire group of prep arms that the Marlins have remained interested in. The problem is that most of the pitchers they have focused on will likely be off of the board by the time the 13th pick rolls around.

If names like Carter Stewart, Cole Winn, Matthew Liberatore or Ryan Weathers fall down to 13, the Marlins may be tempted to pounce. If one does fall, this could change the entire outlook of Miami’s draft.

More from Marlins Draft

Prediction for Miami Marlins Pick: Conor Scott

At the end of the day, what the MLB Draft calls for is selecting the best player available. The two best players on the board by pick 13 will likely be Jarred Kelenic and Connor Scott.  Both players have relatively similar skill sets and while Kelenic may have more potential, Scott is probably the safer pick.

Picking directly in front of Miami at 12 is the Toronto Blue Jays. They will prove as one of the biggest deciding factors with where the Marlins go with this pick. The Jays are targeting the same prep bats as the Marlins.

The Blue Jays or any other team before them could wind up taking a flier on Kelenic. His potential may be too much for the Jays to resist. If this is the case, the Miami Marlins will line up to take Scott. Much of Marlins’ pick depends on what happens before them, but the way things are shaping up Kelenic and Scott seem to be the two most likely selections.

Thanks for reading. Tune in to the MLB Network and MLB.TV to stay on top of the draft tonight. Coverage starts at 6PM EST, and the first pick is scheduled for 7PM. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our daily newsletter.

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