A breakdown of the Miami Marlins 35th and 47th pick in the 2023 MLB draft

Miami Marlins competitive balance round pick (35) Thomas White

The Miami Marlins went all in on pitching in the first round and with their 35th pick they selected Thomas White.  White is a southpaw from Phillips Academy in Andover Massachusetts and was the first lefty pitcher off the board.  The Marlins pick is committed to Vanderbilt but since he was drafted in the competitive balance round it’s almost positive he will be signed.  

White is a 6’5” 210 pound pitcher who’s graded out by scouts to have a plus fastball in the mid to high 90s.  In 2022 and 2023 he won the Gatorade Player of the Year for Massachusetts.  His senior year, White was lights out with a 6-1 record and a 0.21 ERA.  White had a phenomenal strikeout rate, sitting down 70 batters in just 33 innings while only giving up 10 hits all season.  

White is a developing young pitcher that will hopefully team well with the Marlins' 10th pick.   He is working on his curveball as he is primarily a two-pitch guy, with his fastball and change-up. The Marlins' minor league staff should be excited to get to work with two first-round arms and see how they develop over time. Thomas White will turn 19 in the fall and his draft pick is valued at $2.4 million, which should lure him away from the college ranks.

Miami Marlins 2nd round pick (47) Kemp Alderman

The Miami Marlins 2nd round pick at number 47 overall, is Ole Miss junior outfielder Kemp Alderman, who is a mountain of a player, standing at 6'3" and weighing 250 lbs. Some experts suggested that Alderman would be able to play both catcher and outfield, as he showed off his catching skills during the season's mid-week games. Either way, they have a big bat power hitter that they needed in their system.

Alderman hit 19 home runs and drove in 61 while slashing .376/.440/.709 for the Rebels. Alderman had 41 Ks in 213 at-bats, which is a high strike-out rate but he was 5 of 6 attempts in stolen bases and was errorless in the outfield this spring. In 2022 he was honored as a member of the College World Series All-Tournament team and was 2nd team all SEC this past spring.

Alderman wowed scouts at the draft combine with his raw power and his arm, which was clocked at 94 mph off the mound. His plus power and plus arm make him a big-time candidate for the Marlins system, whether at catcher or in the outfield. I can't wait to see what he brings to the field.