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Miami Marlins Draft Results: The Story So Far

By Kevin Kraczkowski |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Empty seats during a rain delay before a game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on April 26, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Empty seats during a rain delay before a game between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field on April 26, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Through five rounds of the 2019 MLB Entry Draft, the Miami Marlins have chosen six players.

After taking position players with their first five picks, the Miami Marlins finally picked a pitcher with their fifth round choice. Right-hander Evan Fitterer joins the team out of Aliso Niguel HS.

Prior to Fitterer’s selection, the Marlins chose outfielder J.J. Bleday out of Vanderbilt, outfielder Kameron Misner out of the University of Missouri, shortstop Nasim Nunez out of Collins Hill HS, outfielder Peyton Burdick out of Wright State University, and first baseman Evan Edwards out of North Carolina State.

Heavy on the outfield picks, no? Bleday fits easily in a corner outfield spot, say right, Misner is a prototypical center fielder, and Edwards slots in at left or center. It seems the Miami Marlins are trying to rebuild the MLB’s best outfield after trading away Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich, and Giancarlo Stanton after the 2017 campaign.

Only time will tell how many of these choices will slot into the Miami Marlins top 30 prospects. Bleday is a lock for number two, behind pitcher Sixto Sanchez. Misner is a high-risk, high-reward talent who hit in the neighborhood of .220 this past season while ranking 30th in the MLB Pipeline. Baseball America had this to say:

There’s not a single tool Misner doesn’t possess, as he’s an above-average runner at 6-foot-4, 213 pounds and plays a solid center field with good instincts and an explosive first step. He also has above-average arm strength that should serve him well in right field, where his size likely allows him to fit best, and he has the plus-plus raw power necessary to profile in a corner outfield position. Scouts think Misner has an outstanding feel for the strike zone, but a passive approach has hurt him at times this spring, putting him in poor spots to hit with authority.

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Through his first 45 games this season, Misner posted a .289/.460/.522 slash line with five home runs, 49 walks and 47 strikeouts. But during the 20 SEC games in that same stretch, he hit just .211/.356/.324 with two home runs, 16 walks and 30 strikeouts—raising significant questions about Misner’s ability to handle high-level pitching.

Nunez is committed to Clemson, but seems likely to sign with the Marlins for the $1.62 slot bonus allotted to the team. All about defense, Nunez projects as plus defensively, with switch-hitting possibilities.

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Burdick has 70-grade raw power, and underwent Tommy John Surgery early on in high school. As a non-pitcher, the impact should be negligible, but there’s no ignoring the possibilities of a 30-homer guy in the outfield.

Lefty first baseman Evan Edwards is another solid power threat. He’s hit .335/.455/.609 with 12 home runs this season with the NC State Wolfpack. Again, according to Baseball America:

Even though he is physically maxed out, Edwards moves well around the bag at first base and is a sound defensive presence on the infield.

Stay tuned here for more on the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft.

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