Miami Marlins: 10 Pitchers to Target in the 2021 MLB Draft

9. Michael McGreevy

School: UC Santa Barbara

McGreevy started his career at UC Santa Barbara pitching out of the bullpen during his freshman season where he posted a 1.94 ERA across 60.1 IP. Transitioning to the starting rotation for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, McGreevy became the ace for the Gauchos where he posted two back-to-back strong seasons.

The 6’4 right-hander displays some of the best pure command among pitchers in this draft, evident by a combined 1.5 BB/9 across 189.1 collegiate innings. Combine that phenomenal command with four pitches that are all considered at least average to above-average, it’s clear why McGreevy has a chance this year to become one of the highest drafted players ever from UC Santa Barbara.

8. Chase Petty

School: Mainland (NJ)

The 2021 New Jersey Gatorade High School Player of the Year has the chance to be the first right-handed pitcher from the state of New Jersey to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft since 2007. When looking at Petty overall, the 18-year old Florida commit will potentially become just that solely based on his pure stuff alone.

Petty’s 3-pitch repertoire is led by an elite fastball that consistently sits in the upper-90’s with movement, along with an above-average slider and changeup. While there have been concerns about command at times, Petty is an intriguing player that could potentially end up in either the rotation or bullpen going forward, depending on where he lands in the first two rounds.

7. Ryan Cusick

School: Wake Forest

While a top high school talent back in 2018, Cusick attended Wake Forest where he struggled in three seasons posting a combined 5.01 ERA. Despite these numbers, the 6’6 right-hander has emerged as a potential first round pick solely due to his impressive stuff.

Cusick displays an elite fastball that sits in the upper-90’s with a lot of movement and the ability to make batters miss, evident by an 11.7 K/9 in three seasons in the ACC. While the 21-year old also adds an impressive curveball, slider, and changeup, there is room for improvement with his command, but will most likely be selected anywhere from rounds 1-2.

6. Gunnar Hoglund

School: Ole Miss

Aside from the Big 3 college right-handers in this draft, you won’t find many college arms better than Hoglund. After being selected in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of high school, Hoglund decided to attend Ole Miss where he posted a combined 3.68 ERA across three seasons.

The 21-year old was widely considered as a Top 10 overall pick in this draft before suffering an arm injury during the 2021 season requiring Tommy John Surgery. Regardless of injury, Hoglund is still a likely first round pick this year, and may end up being the steal of the draft as he sports a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, all of which are considered above-average, to pair with plus-control.

5. Bubba Chandler

School: North Oconee (GA)

One of the more intriguing likely first round selections in this draft is Chandler, who is rated highly as both a right-handed pitcher and a shortstop. Currently committed to Clemson to play both football and baseball, most scouts believe that Chandler has more potential on the diamond, but where will he play?

An excellent pitcher with an above-average fastball and curveball, along with a solid slider and changeup, Chandler also is viewed as a solid switch hitter and a plus-fielder at shortstop with an elite arm at the position. Regardless of what position he settles at going forward, there is no denying that his athleticism and versatility alone make Chandler one of the most intriguing first round talents in this draft.

4. Andrew Painter

School: Calvary Christian (FL)

When making the argument for the top high school pitcher in this draft, you could certainly make an excellent case for the Florida-native Painter. Standing at 6’7, Painter has some of the best command among prep arms available, while also showcasing strong pure stuff led by three above-average pitches (fastball, curveball, changeup), along with an improving slider.

One of the top high school pitchers in the country during the 2021 season, Painter showcased his abilities by striking out over 50% of opposing batters en route to being named the 2021 Florida Gatorade High School Player of the Year. If the Miami Marlins are looking for a high school pitcher in the first round, there aren’t many better options available than selecting the right-hander from their own state.

3. Anthony Solometo

School: Bishop Eustace (NJ)

When looking at the available pitchers overall in this draft, you could certainly make a case that Solometo is the top high school left-hander. Drawing comparisons to both Madison Bumgarner and MacKenzie Gore with his delivery, the 18-year old’s pure stuff combined with his deceptive delivery makes him one of the most intriguing pitchers available.

The North Carolina commit displays an above-average fastball and slider along with a solid changeup that he has an excellent ability to command. The potential is there for Solometo to be one of the top southpaws in this draft, and potentially the top overall high school pitcher in this draft.

2. Jordan Wicks

School: Kansas State

Undoubtedly the top southpaw in this draft, Wicks arguably has the potential to make the quickest impact at the major league level of any pitcher available. After posting a combined 3.24 ERA across three seasons at Kansas State, the 21-year old left-hander is now set to become the first ever first round pick in Wildcat history.

Wicks repertoire is headlined by the best changeup in the draft, grading out as a 65 on MLB’s 20/80 scale, along with an above-average fastball, slider, and curveball, all of which he commands extremely well. While Wicks won’t necessarily blow-you-away with velocity, the southpaw uses movement and command to get batters out, making him an ideal selection in the first round for a team likely looking for left-handed pitching.

1. Sam Bachman

School: Miami (OH)

Arguably the top pitcher outside of the big four names is Bachman who has a chance to become the first ever first round pick from Miami (OH). A mainstay in the Miami rotation for three years, Bachman is coming off a phenomenal 2021 season in which he posted a 1.81 ERA along with a 0.771 WHIP, second lowest in Division-I.

The 21-year old right-hander displays two plus-pitches in his fastball and slider, along with a solid changeup, all of which he commands well with strong movement. While there have been some questions as to whether he remains in the rotation, or transitions to a bullpen role, Bachman’s skill-set entirely makes him a first round pick, and will be a player to monitor should he fall to the Miami Marlins at pick 16.

If the Miami Marlins choose to select a pitcher with their first round pick, there are multiple options that should be available at pick No. 16 overall. As mentioned at the beginning, Miami selected Meyer last year in the first round, could they make it two years in a row on Sunday night?