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

Third base is arguably a tricky position to judge for the Miami Marlins. While the club currently uses multiple utility players in the big leagues to fill the gap left by the injured Brian Anderson, there doesn’t appear to be much top organizational depth for the future.

Because of this, it would make sense to select a natural third baseman in this draft, but how early should they do it?

The Miami Marlins should select a third baseman in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Because of Anderson, who is still under club control through 2024, there isn’t as glaring of a need for the foreseeable future. However, it makes sense to select a third baseman for solely depth purposes alone, should Miami decide at some point to move on from the 28-year old.

So, the Marlins need to draft a third baseman, but not in the rounds 1-3. In fact, it would make the most sense for Miami to wait a little, and monitor these players specifically in the middle rounds:

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand – Oklahoma State
• Jake Rucker – Tennessee
• Ryan Higgins – Fresno State
• Gavin Conticello – Stoneman Douglas (FL)

However, if Miami wants to select a third baseman early-on, there are five clear-cut top options that would be the most intriguing in rounds 1-2.

5. Tommy White

School: IMG Academy (FL)

The IMG Academy product has emerged as one of the top third basemen in this draft, mostly due to his bat. Currently committed to NC State, White displays excellent power to all fields’, and has shown the ability to make hard-contact on a consistent basis.

At 6’1 220 lbs., White has good fielding abilities with solid arm strength, but some scouts could see the 18-year old moving to first base in the near future. Regardless of where he ends up defensively, it’s clear that White’s powerful right-handed swing should cement the high school third baseman as an upper round pick in this draft.

4. Zack Gelof

School: Virginia

Arguably the top college third baseman in this draft, Gelof was originally drafted back in 2018 out of high school, but decided to go on to Virginia where he had a strong three seasons with the Cavaliers. Slashing a combined .316/.396/.478 at Virginia, Gelof displays all-around average tools making him a bonafide selection in the top three rounds of this draft.

The 21-year old displays above-average raw power offensively, drawing a comparison to current Marlins outfield Adam Duvall, as well as quality speed on the basepaths, evident by 32 stolen bases during his college career. While there is a possibility for a future position change, Gelof displays tools that should allow him to excel at the next level from day one.

3. Wes Kath

School: Desert Mountain (AZ)

When looking at the third base position overall in this draft, there are three high school names that you could make an argument for being No. 1 overall. Kath, the 2021 Arizona Gatorade High School Player of the Year, is one of those three as he displays some of the best tools among high school infielders in this draft.

A shortstop in high school, the Arizona State commit displays a left-handed swing that produces consistent contact, along with potential to hit for more power. Combined with strong fielding abilities with a plus-arm, it’s clear that Kath can play multiple positions in the infield, with some scouts believing a future move to third base is likely.