Worst First? Miami Marlins Biggest First Round Mistakes

8. Blake Anderson

Back in the 2014 draft, the Miami Marlins got to pick second overall, and also got to add a competitive balance first round choice. Technically an “A” round pick, Blake Anderson was chosen with the 36th pick overall.

A catcher by trade, or at least we thought so at the time, Anderson was taken out of West Lauderdale HS in Missouri. In 26 game at the Rookie-level with the GCL Marlins in the Gulf Coast League, Anderson went just eight-for-74, slashing a line of .108/.287/.135. Pushed up a level in 2015 to the Short-season-A Batavia Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League, Anderson improved to .220/.273/.322 in 31 games, with two home runs and 16 RBI. Unfortunately, he also missed a large part of the campaign with post-concussion syndrome.

Anderson remained at the short-season-A level in 2016 with the Muckdogs, and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts on June 18. Soon after that, he was moved to the injured list and remained there for the balance of the season with a left-shoulder sprain.

A rebrand would see Anderson open the 2017 season back with GCL and facing life as a relief pitcher. He pitched in nine games and struck out 12 in 9 2/3 innings, but walked seven and allowed nine hits for six earned runs. Since August 31, 2017, Anderson has not appeared in a professional baseball game.