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

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?