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

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?