Miami Marlins: 5 Second Basemen to Target in the 2021 MLB Draft

When looking at potential second basemen that the Miami Marlins could target in the upper rounds of the 2021 MLB Draft, there are five clear options that are arguably above the rest.

Now when looking at the second base position itself in the Marlins terms going forward, there is depth, but it’s fairly unknown depth. Jazz Chisholm currently patrols the position at the big-league level, while there are multiple younger players such as Jose Devers, Nasim Nunez, Jose Salas, and more all capable of patrolling the position in the future.

While mostly all of these younger players are natural shortstops, their athleticism alone could allow them to make the transition smoothly. However, would it still be smart to draft a second baseman early-on in this draft?

The Miami Marlins should draft a second baseman early.

While these younger players could potentially make the transition to the other side of the second base bag, you still never know how it will pan out. With Chisholm potentially Miami’s shortstop of the future, his natural position, it could leave a hole at second base going forward with no clear replacement.

That is why the Marlins should select a natural second baseman early-on. Not solely because there is an arguable need, but because it will give the organization a clear-cut option going forward who is a natural second baseman.

However, if Miami chooses to wait until the middle rounds to add to the position, there are still a few options that would be good value listed below.

• Eddie Saldivar – San Joaquin (CA)
• Max Ferguson – Tennessee
• Cooper Bowman – Louisville
• Dayton Dooney – Central Arizona JC
• Nick Biddison – Virginia Tech

However, as mentioned before, there are arguably five second baseman that are above the rest. These five second basemen will all most likely be selected anywhere from rounds 1-3, with potentially at least two in the first round. Could one of these five be in play for Miami at some point?

5. Cooper Kinney

School: Baylor (TN)

When looking at the high school second basemen available, there is obviously a name that sticks out the most (more on that later), but Kinney is not too far behind. The 2021 Tennessee Gatorade High School Player of the Year, Kinney is one of the most advanced prep hitters in this draft sporting a left-handed swing resulting in both contact and power.

While a phenomenal hitter, the South Carolina commit has struggled at times defensively leaving some scouts comparing his potential career at second base to former Mets slugger Daniel Murphy. While it’s currently unknown as to where the 18-year old will eventually end up positionally, the bat is obviously already there for Kinney making him a candidate to come off the board in the early rounds.