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.

2. Tyler Black

School: Wright State

The other elite college contact hitting second baseman that will most likely be selected early-on is Black. Slashing .353/.468/.612 across three seasons at Wright State, Black emerged as one of the top hitters in the Horizon League from the first time he took the field, and is now set up as a prime candidate to be selected in the first three rounds.

The 20-year old projects similarly to Norby (No. 3) through the fact that he is a phenomenal hitter with an excellent track record of hitting for both contact and power, as well as the ability to get on base by drawing walks and then stealing bases. Despite spending time at both third base and shortstop during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Black projects to remain at second base where his athleticism allows him to excel.

1. Peyton Stovall

School: Haughton (LA)

While you could make an argument for a couple different players as the best second baseman in this draft, Stovall is 100% the top high school player at the position. The 18-year old has impressed offensively for years with his left-handed swing, even drawing comparisons from a scout to 12-year MLB veteran Todd Walker.

While Stovall played shortstop in high school, his athleticism should allow him to easily excel defensively at second base where he should project best going forward, while his bat will translate against anyone. Currently committed to Arkansas, Stovall will most likely be selected within the first round, and is an intriguing option to monitor if still on the board when the Marlins are on the clock.

While there might not be an immediate need solely at the second base position, it makes sense depth-wise to select one early-on. Will the Marlins select one of these five, or one of the others mentioned at the beginning in the middle rounds?