Miami Marlins: The Biggest Winners from Day 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft

Have you ever gotten something that you didn’t expect to happen? That is exactly what happened to the Miami Marlins on Day 1 of the 2021 MLB Draft.

The Marlins entered Sunday night with two picks, No. 16 and No. 31 overall. While there were numerous options potentially available for Miami at those two spots, nobody thought that these two players would potentially be in-play.

Miami started the night by selecting SS Kahlil Watson with the No. 16 overall pick, a consensus Top 10 overall talent who was rated as a Top 5 pick in this draft by numerous outlets. Widely regarded as the no-doubt steal of the draft up until that point, the Marlins then selected C Joe Mack with their No. 31 pick, a player originally projected to be selected in the upper-teens to low-20’s.

There is no denying that the Marlins got two massive steals in the first round, but how will this affect Miami’s plans going into Day 2?

How will Day 1 affect the Miami Marlins Day 2 plans in the 2021 MLB Draft?

The Marlins came into the 2021 MLB Draft with arguably two glaring positional needs in the organization, catcher and shortstop. After Miami added to both positions on Day 1, what will happen now on Day 2?

Let’s assume that Miami is going to sign both Watson and Mack. The team will most-likely go over-slot to sign both, meaning that the picks in rounds 2-3 at least will most-likely be under-slot value. While it’s obviously currently unknown who the Marlins will select, under-slot makes sense solely to both ensure they sign Watson and Mack, as well as saving for rounds 4+, should a high-profile player fall.

Obviously the question now becomes what positions will Miami target on Day 2? The Marlins hold the No. 52 overall pick, their first today, which it makes sense they use it on a pitcher. However, there are still multiple prospects considered as first round talents available, and would be intriguing options should they still be on the board.

The Marlins had a phenomenal Day 1, and now the attention turns to Day 2. Will the club be able to carry-over the success from Sunday night?