Miami Marlins 2023 MLB draft round 9 and 10, an analysis

9th round - CF Colby Shade

The Miami Marlins 9th pick of the 2023 draft is Colby Shade, centerfielder from Oregon. As we said previously, this is definitely a need pick as the Marlins minor league centerfielders are lacking and now they have drafted two centerfielders.   Shade is 6’1” and 205 and is more active on the base paths which plays well with the Marlins philosophy.  Shade had 14 steals in 20 attempts his junior year and 16 in 19 attempts his sophomore year.  

Shade hits fairly well but isn’t a big power guy as he slashed .336/.422/.523 his junior year and hit 6 home runs while driving in 31.  Shade hit in a few parts of the lineup his junior year, starting in the 6 hole and then working his way up to the 2 spot.  His biggest asset however is his glove as he was a gold glove finalist for outfield.  Shade could be an interesting development player if he can really get his bat going with some gap power to go along with his glove and speed, the Marlins could have a real gem.  

10th round - P Xavier Meachem

The Miami Marlins 10th round pick is Xavier Meachem, pitcher from North Carolina A&T.   I’m not really sure about this pick as the numbers really don’t match the value of a 10th pick unless scouts see something in him that hasn’t come up.   This seems like a big development player and at 5-11, 200 pounds, they will have to be creative with how to best use him.  

Meachem had 5 saves and a 2 and 1 record last year with NC A&T and he more than doubled his innings of use from 22.2 to 48.1 innings.  Meachem was in his third year at NC A&T and although he improved his ERA from year to year, he really had no other place to go than down. Meachem had a 5.59 ERA his final year and a 1.407 WHIP.  

He throws up to 97 with his fastball, which is probably the reason he was selected and has a change and slider that are solid, but the question remains, if those were so solid why the high hit rate and ERA?  Seems like this is a boom or bust pick.  I’m thinking bust, but I'll gladly be proven wrong.