[ayaghmour2]

Happy Amateur Draft day! I'm looking to select the newest talent to enter the Marlins organization. I've had some bad classes, and some less bad classses, but generally, the good players I take end up getting traded. Either way, there is always a chance I can strike gold.

With the first pick of the 2026 draft, the St. Louis Cardinals select: CF Juan "Splits" Barela, who my scout only rates 2.5 potential compared to OSA's 4.5.

1st Round, 22nd Overall: SP Joe Martin (4): It was a tough choice between him and Steve Fox (5), but my scout sees Martin as a guaranteed starter and Fox just boarderline. Martin, an 18-year-old from Palo Alto, CA out of Washington HS in Fremont, CA was 9-0 in 13 starts with a 0.30 ERA and 0.64 WHIP as a sernior. He struck out 173 hitters in 91 innings with help of his 100 rated stuff. His best pitch is a devestating slider that also ranks a 100. He doesn't get the best movement, but with his sidearm arm slot and the ability to hit 93-95 with his sinker, he gets a ton of ground balls. He has a passable change up as well, but to become a true ace, he needs to refine it.

1st Round, 29th Overall: RP Jorge Luna (1.5/4.5): I really don't like taking relievers this early, but there isn't much talent and Luna is an absolute stud. The junior out of North Carolina Central, he looks like a big league reliever already. He's got a plus-plus fastball that hits tripe digit and a elite slider that he has excellent command of. He's also a sidearmer, and he can pitch a lot of innings out of the pen while fielding his position well. I could bring him straight to the majors, but I think with a little, although not too much, minor league seasoning, he'll become a feared back of then pen righty.

1st Round, 34th Overall: CF Curt Walsh (3): Here is where the talent diminishes. Walsh is still a solid guy, but maybe for a 3rd or 4th round pick. He's got great speed and range, and a decent left handed bat, but he's nothing special. He's god plus contact, power, and discipline, but he strikes out a lot and doesn't hit many extra base hits. He's got big league potential, but he's a average starter at best.

2nd Round, 62nd Overall: SP Shawn Perryman (3): Says he won't sign, but he's one of the few actual good players out there. He's got plus-plus stuff with a solid arsenal. The durable lefty can pitch deep into games, has a knee-buckling curvebal, solid four seam fastball, and quality knuckle curve. He doesn't throw too fast right now, but with age he can increase his velocity. He doesn't have the best movement, but makes up for it with plus control.

3rd Round, 98th Overall: SP Jon Clark (2.5): He's a back of the rotation starter at best, but he's got talent. He induces a lot of ground balls, hits 93-95 with his plus fastball and has a plus slider with plus movement. His change up is average, but it could use work. And while he does have the ability to throw a lot of pitches, he has poor control. If he can master that, he could be a nice pick.

4th Round, 129th Overall: 2B Bobby Bentivenga (2.5): He'll never be much of a defender, but he hits the ball far, and had relative high consistency. He's got plus-plus power and doesn't strike out too much. He doesn't have the best eye, but makes enough contact to make up for it. He isn't very fast either, but he could eventually transition into a solid first basemen.

5th Round, 159th Overall: CF Sam Pell (2.5): He's got decent verastility, and has experience at third, short, left, center, and right. He's a solid outfield defender, and could be a good defender in all three spots. He's got decent foot speed, but won't steal too much. He also has a very well-rounded bat, average at contact and avoiding K's, but plus at power, gap, and eye. I see him as a productive bench player, especially since he can hit from both sides of the plate.

6th Round, 189th Overall: RF Dave Naulty (3): He says he won't sign, but is the second option if Perryman doesn't sign. "Snake Eyes" is a lefty was blinding speed that doesn't translate to defensive success. He's never going to give you much with his glove, but has elite contact abilities, and a really good bat. He's got potentials of 90/78/60/63/64, and if he doesn't sign with me, he could be a top pick when he finishes whatever college he may want to do.

7th Round, 219th Overall: CF Kelyn Trejo (2.5): The rating may be a bit generous, but he's definitely worth a pick. He's got great speed and great range that will allow him to stick in center. He's got plus power, but swings and misses a lot. His good discipline keeps him from striking out too much, but right now, I just see 4th outfielder.

8th Round, 249th Overall: SP Nate Walters (2): He wants to go to college, but he's worth the gamble. He's a durable righty that can go deep into games. He's got an elite cuveball and plus stuff as a whole. He hits around 92-94 with his a plus fastball and goes about 6-8 MPH lower with a plus change up. He's got control probelms he could work out in college.

9th Round, 279th Overall: CL Dan Tipton (2.5): Can you say average reliever? The senior from Rio Hondo college is already near fully developed, a classic low ceiling/high floor college stopper. He doesn't have the best stuff for a reliever, and only throws around 89-91, but he has pinpoint control.

10th Round, 309th Overall: SP Skyler Fitzpatrick (1.5): This is the best starter available... He's a durable righty who can go deep into games, but he's overall uninspiring. He's got a decent fastball that sits in the 88-90 range, and he has alright control, but he lacks movement on his sinker and change up. He's got a long way to go, but his career arc is up to him.

11th Round, 339th Overall: SS Gilberto Castro (2): He's a superior defender who can play all over the infield, and possibly the corner outfield as well. He's got an elite arm, is slick turning double plays, and is a great baserunner, but lacks speed and a bat. He's got a good eye and decent pop, but doesn't make much contact. He's calm under pressure, but looks like a future utility infielder.

12th Round, 369th Overall: RP Rocky Shoemaker (2.5): He's got a future as a lefty specialist, and it's nearly impossible to steal off him. He keeps the ball on the ground with help from his plus-plus change up. He's very average with his stuff, movement, and control, but he's a reliable pen arm.

13th Round, 399th Overall: RF Junior Ritcher (2): Won't sign. Think Adam Dunn, before he got out of shape. He's fast, hits dingers, and has a keen eye, but man, he's going to strike out all the time! College should suit him.

14th Round, 429th Overall: 2B Kennan Muttart (2): Won't sign. The Canadian lefty has a great eye, great pop, but just can't make contact. He strikes out a lot, and isn't really much of a fielder. He doesn't make a lot of errors, and has passable range, but doesn't have an arm. He's slow on his feet, but a smart runner.

15th Round, 459th Overall: CF Juan Escudero (2): Won't sign. He's got the range for center, and will be a great defender at all three outfield spots. He's got a solid all around bat, although my scout doesn't like his contact. I think the Florida native will get better in college.

16th Round, 489th Overall: CF Jonathan Walters (2): The lefty has great speed, great range, and a solid bat. Again, he may have contact problems, but his defense and mentality will take him far. I think with a little luck, he could surprise the doubters.

17th Round, 519th Overall: C Chris Billing (1.5): He's not the best defender behind the plate, but he's got a pretty good at. He will strike out a lot, but has great pop and nice contact. He could sneak into the majors as a backup catcher.

18th Round, 549th Overall: CF Juan Montoya (2): Won't sign. The Florida native is a decent outfielder and can stick in center. He's not the best hitter out there, but he's got decent tools.

19th Round, 579th Overall: SS Steve Cooper (1.5): He's a decent infielder, but is hurt by his arm strength. He's got a great eye and will get a lot of extra base hits, but strikeouts, and contact as a whole, is a problem for him.

20th Round, 609th Overall: C Joel Swanson (1.5): Undrafted out of high school, he showed enough at Loyola to get my 20th Round selection. He's a solid defender with enough of a bat that he's an interesting prospect. He just lacks the hustle needed.

21st Round, 639th Overall: CF Charile MacPherson (1.5): He's got great speed and excellent range, but needs to stay focused. He's got a decent bat too, and could continue to improve and reach a big league roster. The switch hitter has a great eye, and it's his best offensive quality.

22nd Round, 669th Overall: CF Dan Hitz (1.5): Won't sign. He's one of those dime a dozen outfielders in nearly every draft that's good at defense and at least partly fast. He's got an okay bat, but nothing really special.

23rd Round, 699th Overall: SP Sergio Arellano (1): Honestly, he's not that bad. He's a durable righty that can go deep into games. He's got four pitches, and while none of them are spectactular, they aren't terrible. He needs to work on his movement and control, but he's an interesting depth arm for the rotation.

24th Round, 729th Overall: SP Sam Hampton (1): I think he ends up a reliever, but he's definitely an interesting arm. He's got a 94 rated curveball and plus-plus stuff in his three pitch arsenal. The lefty could be an interesting option out of a pen, or a starter in organizations that don't mind low stamina.

25th Round, 759th Overall: SP Juan AlyArez (0.5/0.5): He's not good, but I took him in the 25th round in 2023, so why not take him again? He's got great stamina, but will likely end up a middle reliever. He's got a solid personality, and could surprise.

26th Round, 789th Overall: CF Dan Killingsworth (1.5): He's an all or nothing hitter that will hit a ton of bombs, but strike out twice as much. He's likely more suited for right, but could stay in center. He's got good foot speed as well, and a solid eye.

27th Round, 819th Overall: C Murdoch Levick (1): Won't sign. He's a great pitch framer, but has an awful arm. He's got a decent bat as well, and heading to the states for college could help the young Canadian.

28th Round, 849th Overall: SS Mike Ferguson (1): I actually really like him. He can play literally every position on the field, and will be above-average to better at all of them. He's got a solid bat and I see a good future for him in the majors.

29th Round, 879th Overall: CF Chris Morris (0.5): We're at the tools picks... He was selected back in 2022 in the 18th round by the Tigers, but hasn't really inspired much in most scouts. He does have amazing speed and range, but isn't much of a hitter.

30th Round, 909th Overall: SP Brad Smullen (0.5): He's got pinpoint control and can throw a lot of pitches. He throws four slow pitches as a lefty sidearmer, but really isn't that special.

31st Round, 939th Overall: SS Ethan McKinney (0.5): Won't sign. He can play all over the dimaond and has decent footspeed. I don't think he's ever taken batting practice, but he could start in college.

32nd Round, 969th Overall: SP Jake Miller (0.5): Won't sign. He likely ends up a reliever. He's got four alright pitches, but not much stamina. He's a tall righty, so he can improve his veolcity.

33rd Round, 999th Overall: C Daniel R. Suber (0.5): He won't sign. He's not good, but he's got the R in his name, so that's pretty cool. And it's never a bad idea to draft a catcher.

34th Round, 1,029th Overall: SP Mike Evans (0.5): He throws a screwball! It's a solid pitch, and one of the four he throws. He's a depth arm for the rotation, but the lefty could turn some heads.

35th Round, 1,059th Overall: CF Ernesto Vuelvas (0.5): He won't sign, but he throws a knuckleball! The speedy outfielder has a cannon of an arm and can hit a little. He's also a decent, although not good by any means, pitcher.

36th Round, 1,089th Overall: C Arturo Mendoza (0.5): He's honestly underrated. He's got a great contact and gap tool, and is passable behind the plate. I'm not saying he even makes my GCL team, but he should have been selected already.

37th Round, 1,119th Overall: SS Joe Settle (0.5): He's a great defender with a cannon of an arm. He lacks a little range, so is likely suited for third, but he does make up for it with quick feet. He's got nice pop as well, but isn't the hardest worker.

38th Round, 1,149th Overall: SS T.J. Whitlow (0.5): The Florida native won't sign, but he's a great defensive player. He's got an elite eye as well, but bairly hits the ball, and when he does, it doesn't really go anywhere.

39th Round, 1,179th Overall: SP Jimmy Mize (0.5): He's got a ton of stamina and has a 79 rated change up. He's not too good outside of that, and gets hurt a lot, but Casey Mize has turned into a solid pitcher for the Twins.

40th Round, 1,209th Overall: 2B Chris Pollock (0.5): Selected in the 35th Round by the Red Sox in 2022, he attended Miami-Dade College and stole a ton of bases. He's not a good defender, but he's super fast. So there is that.

That concludes an uninspiring 2026 draft class...

Here's the status of the 2023 class that didn't sign and was eligible to be selected again:

13th Round: SS Danny Deliso (0.5/2): Selected by the Cubs in the 6th Round
16th Round: CF Jeremy Page (0.5/0.5): Selected by the Astros in the 30th round, then released
19th Round: SP Juan Arteaga (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year
29th Round: SP Braedon Chiasson (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year
30th Round: CF Sean Addis (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year
33rd Round: C Jonathan Hall (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year
34th Round: CF Juan Rivera (0.5/0.5): Selected by the Rays in the 22nd Round
35th Round: CF Nate Cody (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year
37th Round: SP Luis Ospina (0.5/0.5): Selected in the 28th Round by Arizona, then released
38th Round: SP Murdoch Pardy (0.5/0.5): Went undrafted and will return for his senior year

I'm hoping future classes will have more unsigned guys selected...

Next, I'm going to take a look at the 2021 class and how I did after 5 years.

I selected and signed 16 hitters, and none of them have played in the majors. I selected and signed 7 pitchers, and none of them have played in the majors. Nice...

1st Rounder Ken Adenrian was on the 40-man roster, but was later DFA'd. He's dropped a ton ratings wise, but still looks like he could become either a 4th outfielder or mop up reliever. Although all of a suddon he's a 5* potential reliever, which shocked me when I switched his position. So perhaps there is hope?

Here's what else is in the organization:

3rd Rounder Sergio Varas is in AA for us, but I'm not too confident in his abilities. He's teammates with Josh Windom, who pre-injury looked like a stud. He can still become a solid reliever. 8th Rounder Robby Moreno is in Jupiter, but is rated 1.5/1.5 as a reliever. 11th Rounder Billy Probst is nursing a partially torn labrum, but also looks like a future fringe big league reliever.

Here's what's outside the organization:

2nd Rounder Jeremy Kulhman still has solid potential, and sits in A Cedar Rapids of the Twins organization.

It doesn't look like a quailty class for me...

Some notables on other teams from the 2021 class:

1st Round: Yankees SP Mitch Hart (19-15, 4.54 ERA and 244 strikeouts in 281.1 innings)
1st Round: Reds SP Sean Geise (13-12 with a 4.34 ERA and 211 strikeouts in 219.2 innings)
1st Round: Washington 2B Noah Smith (.277/.350/.371 hitter with 7 homers, 86 RBI's, and 33 steals in 679 at bats)
1st Round: Colorado SS Brady House (.276/.311/.455 hitter with 10 homers and 50 RBI's in 319 at bats.
1st Round: Atlanta SP Chris Helmick (23-16 with a 3.87 ERA and 226 strikeouts in 327.2 innings)
1st Round: Arizona CF Enrique Bradfield (.292/.353/.391 hitter with 5 homers, 42 RBI's, and 11 steals)
5th Round: Boston 3B Garrett Blaylock (.253/.337/.395 hitter with 23 homers and 73 RBI's in 683 at bats)
23rd Round: Rangers SP Jim Gilbert (16-8, 3.48 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 225 innings, including a perfect game)

A few more sidenotes: I'm pondering expansion and reallignment, but need to find a good way to do it. I'm leaining towards the eventual 4 divisions, 5 teams per division, with 8 playoff teams. I think if I expand, it would be four teams twice, or four teams, then two, then two. Likely, the time period would be 3-4 years apart, and I would first create unaffiliated minor league teams for the new franchise that they could then adapt. With this, they could have a relatively full farm system without having an extremely long expansion draft. Likely, these independent minor league teams will be in the higher levels. I will also bring back former, defunt franchise names, such as the Expos for the majors or the San Frnacisco Seals for the minors.

Now, back to baseball games, with a three game series in Chicago with the Cubs. We'll see Zach Attianese (0-4, 10.07 ERA), Pablo Ochoa (6-1, 2.82 ERA), and German Marquez (2-2, 6.23 ERA).