Miami Marlins draft preview: Cam Collier

This is a continuation of our ongoing series in preparation for the upcoming draft. We’re taking a look at prospects that the Miami Marlins can draft. We’re specifically looking at first round options, as that’s where the best prospects naturally usually come from. Today we’re going to look at third base prospect Cam Collier. Here’s another article.

Is Cam Collier a good fit for the Miami Marlins?

Cam Collier is a 17 year old committed to Louisville college, who bats left and throws right. That commitment to Louisville could be a problem and might force the Miami Marlins to overpay to get him. This reason alone makes it unlikely that The Fish will draft him.

What can we expect from Cam Collier? His best qualities are his smooth swing and his arm. Both received 60 ratings. The big question is whether or not his power (50 rating) and his defense (50 rating) can match those skills.

Let’s see what MLB.com said about him:

Most of the excitement about Collier centers around his left-handed bat. He has a loose stroke with outstanding bat speed and uncanny bat-to-ball skills. For most of the summer, he squared just about everything up, using the whole field and not being bothered by premium velocity, and he continued to show professional at-bats this spring. There’s good raw power in his swing, with more likely to come. While he’s not a burner, he’s a solid runner.With an arm that has hit the low-90s from the mound, Collier has the chance to fit nicely at third base, where his offensive upside could fit well. If the hot corner doesn’t work, a move to an outfield corner or first base could be in his future, but it’s the Louisville recruit’s bat that will carry him and puts him in conversations about the first round.

It seems that it’s more about raw ability and less about the skills that Cam Collier already has. This makes me question if it really makes sense for the Miami Narlins to draft him. I’m a big believer in getting as much certainty as possible and it just may not be possible with him.