The Marlins are not usually a team to go college bat early, with Aiva Arquette representing just the sixth time in franchise history dating back to 1992 that they've taken one with their first pick. If you take the past 29 drafts, he's only the fourth, and the last three (Colin Moran, JJ Bleday, Jacob Berry) have not quite met expectations. Despite this, Miami started off the draft with six straight college bats and overall did not draft a single high school player, relatively out of character for them. I really like this class they put together, especially if they're right about ninth rounder Kaiden Wilson that he hasn't yet scratched the surface of his potential. Miami focused on power early, with five of their initial six college bats showing above average or better raw exit velocities and second rounder Brandon Compton in particular showing some of the best raw power in the entire class. There is a uniquely Florida feel to this class as well, as six of Miami's picks hail from the Sunshine State (including five in a row from rounds 3-7, three Florida State Seminoles, and two former Stoneman Douglas Eagles).
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Note that the number before a player's name indicates their draft position. For example, "2-50" would indicate that a player was taken in the second round with the fiftieth overall pick.
1-7: SS Aiva Arquette, Oregon State
Slot value: $7.15 million. Signing bonus: $7.15 million.
My rank: #5. MLB Pipeline: #6. Baseball America: #5.
It is hard not to love this pick for the Marlins, who acquired for themselves arguably the best all-around college position player in the entire draft. Aiva Arquette represents an excellent choice if they're going to break their college bat dry spell. He was a highly regarded prep who had interest in the top few rounds, but made it to campus at Washington where he turned in a star 2024 season. When head coach Jason Kelly split for College Station to become the new pitching coach at Texas A&M, Arquette headed south to Oregon State and exploded for a huge 2025, slashing .354/.461/.654 with 19 home runs while managing OSU's grueling travel-heavy schedule. Listed at 6'5", 220 pounds, he is an imposing presence in the box but brings with him the strong athleticism and feel for the game of a much smaller player. There is plus power in the tank that he has gotten to in games, coming from a leveraged right handed swing that gets the ball up in the air with authority. He doesn't have to sell out for home runs and could still hit 25-30 annually at peak, if not more. The swing has gotten a bit swoopy at times, but it looked more consistent in 2025 and his excellent hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel help him meet the ball on time even when he doesn't get long through the zone. He has also improved his approach from relatively aggressive to more average, helping him consistently find better pitches to hit and enabling that power to come forth. Arquette performed well last summer in the elite Cape Cod League as well, hitting .291/.357/.437 and impressing scouts by improving throughout the summer. In all, this is a big league bat that will hit in the middle of the order. While the hit tool is closer to average than plus, it's still plenty enough to get to his prodigious power. On the other side of the ball, Arquette impressed scouts with the progress he has made at shortstop, now looking like he can stick at the position long term despite his size. The Honolulu native has impressive body control, improving glovework, and the plus arm to become an average big league shortstop. He is an average runner that may be forced to third base if he slows down at all, but for now that doesn't appear to be an issue. An everyday shortstop that can flirt with 30 home run totals and get on base at a reasonable clip is a cornerstone player, and Miami thinks they've gotten that in Arquette.
Slot value: $7.15 million. Signing bonus: $7.15 million.
My rank: #5. MLB Pipeline: #6. Baseball America: #5.
It is hard not to love this pick for the Marlins, who acquired for themselves arguably the best all-around college position player in the entire draft. Aiva Arquette represents an excellent choice if they're going to break their college bat dry spell. He was a highly regarded prep who had interest in the top few rounds, but made it to campus at Washington where he turned in a star 2024 season. When head coach Jason Kelly split for College Station to become the new pitching coach at Texas A&M, Arquette headed south to Oregon State and exploded for a huge 2025, slashing .354/.461/.654 with 19 home runs while managing OSU's grueling travel-heavy schedule. Listed at 6'5", 220 pounds, he is an imposing presence in the box but brings with him the strong athleticism and feel for the game of a much smaller player. There is plus power in the tank that he has gotten to in games, coming from a leveraged right handed swing that gets the ball up in the air with authority. He doesn't have to sell out for home runs and could still hit 25-30 annually at peak, if not more. The swing has gotten a bit swoopy at times, but it looked more consistent in 2025 and his excellent hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel help him meet the ball on time even when he doesn't get long through the zone. He has also improved his approach from relatively aggressive to more average, helping him consistently find better pitches to hit and enabling that power to come forth. Arquette performed well last summer in the elite Cape Cod League as well, hitting .291/.357/.437 and impressing scouts by improving throughout the summer. In all, this is a big league bat that will hit in the middle of the order. While the hit tool is closer to average than plus, it's still plenty enough to get to his prodigious power. On the other side of the ball, Arquette impressed scouts with the progress he has made at shortstop, now looking like he can stick at the position long term despite his size. The Honolulu native has impressive body control, improving glovework, and the plus arm to become an average big league shortstop. He is an average runner that may be forced to third base if he slows down at all, but for now that doesn't appear to be an issue. An everyday shortstop that can flirt with 30 home run totals and get on base at a reasonable clip is a cornerstone player, and Miami thinks they've gotten that in Arquette.
CBA-43: OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson
Slot value: $2.28 million. Signing bonus: $2.28 million.
My rank: #31. MLB Pipeline: #36. Baseball America: #27.
This is a really exciting pick outside the top 40. Cam Cannarella burst onto the scene as a Clemson freshman in 2023, hitting .388 with 24 stolen bases and earning first team freshman All-American honors from numerous outlets. A shoulder injury as a sophomore in 2024 slowed him somewhat, though he did set a career high with eleven home runs, then entered his junior season as a potential top ten overall pick. A slump to start the season dashed those hopes a bit, but he finished red hot on a 22 game hitting streak that included a trio of four hit games and a separate trio of three hit games. While Clemson ultimately did not survive their home regional, it was not Cannarella's fault as he went 8-14 (.571 AVG) with a pair of home runs against a red hot USC Upstate, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The South Carolina native is much smaller than his first round counterpart at a listed 6', 185 pounds, his skinny frame not lending itselt to much power. He's more of a slasher anyways so he's not looking to tap his below average power much, but he is an excellent contact hitter who rarely expands the zone and forces pitchers to come to him. With an accurate barrel that helps him get to balls all over the zone while adjusting effectively to offspeed stuff, he is well equipped to handle major league pitching and still make the most out of pitches he gets fooled on. On-base percentage will be his strength (he finished three years at Clemson with an excellent .453 OBP across 178 games), and he'll have to really turn on the ball to get it over the fence with wood. Additionally, Cannarella is a plus runner with excellent instincts in the outfield, helping him catch everything in his zip code while making some incredible plays up against the wall, though he doesn't have much of an arm. He's a sparkplug with infectious energy on both sides of the ball, inspiring his teammates to rally behind him as he plays as hard as anybody. The profile reminds me a lot of Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick, though Cannarella has the benefit of being a few inches taller.
Slot value: $2.28 million. Signing bonus: $2.28 million.
My rank: #31. MLB Pipeline: #36. Baseball America: #27.
This is a really exciting pick outside the top 40. Cam Cannarella burst onto the scene as a Clemson freshman in 2023, hitting .388 with 24 stolen bases and earning first team freshman All-American honors from numerous outlets. A shoulder injury as a sophomore in 2024 slowed him somewhat, though he did set a career high with eleven home runs, then entered his junior season as a potential top ten overall pick. A slump to start the season dashed those hopes a bit, but he finished red hot on a 22 game hitting streak that included a trio of four hit games and a separate trio of three hit games. While Clemson ultimately did not survive their home regional, it was not Cannarella's fault as he went 8-14 (.571 AVG) with a pair of home runs against a red hot USC Upstate, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The South Carolina native is much smaller than his first round counterpart at a listed 6', 185 pounds, his skinny frame not lending itselt to much power. He's more of a slasher anyways so he's not looking to tap his below average power much, but he is an excellent contact hitter who rarely expands the zone and forces pitchers to come to him. With an accurate barrel that helps him get to balls all over the zone while adjusting effectively to offspeed stuff, he is well equipped to handle major league pitching and still make the most out of pitches he gets fooled on. On-base percentage will be his strength (he finished three years at Clemson with an excellent .453 OBP across 178 games), and he'll have to really turn on the ball to get it over the fence with wood. Additionally, Cannarella is a plus runner with excellent instincts in the outfield, helping him catch everything in his zip code while making some incredible plays up against the wall, though he doesn't have much of an arm. He's a sparkplug with infectious energy on both sides of the ball, inspiring his teammates to rally behind him as he plays as hard as anybody. The profile reminds me a lot of Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick, though Cannarella has the benefit of being a few inches taller.
2-46: OF Brandon Compton, Arizona State
Slot value: $2.13 million. Signing bonus: $2 million ($128,800 below slot value).
My rank: #45. MLB Pipeline: #47. Baseball America: #41.
Brandon Compton is another very exciting pick, albeit with the polar opposite profile to Cam Cannarella. He did not play as a true freshman, then burst onto the scene by hitting .354/.427/.661 with 14 home runs as a redshirt freshman in 2024. Expectations were high as he pushed himself into the first round conversation for 2025, but the stat line (.271/.379/.486, 9 HR) couldn't quite live up to what he did in 2024. However, the under the hood numbers were excellent and represented a far better player than the stat line showed, and teams were still lining up to grab him in the second round. He has some of the most impressive raw power in the class, recording 90th percentile exit velocities around 110 MPH and putting on one of the most jaw-dropping MLB Draft Combine batting practices in the event's history. It's a gorgeous, compact left handed swing combined with tons of strength from a sturdy 6'1", 225 pound frame that sends the ball rocketing off the bat in the air with authority. He cut his strikeout rate from 25.5% as a freshman to 21.1% as a sophomore, still high but more palatable. There will always be swing and miss in Compton's game, though a strong run through the Cape Cod League (.331/.414/.489, just 16.6% strikeout rate) lends hope that it shouldn't be a dealbreaker in pro ball. Pressure will be on his surface numbers to bounce back in pro ball though because his defensive tools are all fringy at best, leaving left field as the most likely landing place. He won't provide much value on that side of the ball. That said, if he can just made contact at a reasonable rate, the power is so impressive that he could threaten for 30+ home run seasons annually at peak.
Slot value: $2.13 million. Signing bonus: $2 million ($128,800 below slot value).
My rank: #45. MLB Pipeline: #47. Baseball America: #41.
Brandon Compton is another very exciting pick, albeit with the polar opposite profile to Cam Cannarella. He did not play as a true freshman, then burst onto the scene by hitting .354/.427/.661 with 14 home runs as a redshirt freshman in 2024. Expectations were high as he pushed himself into the first round conversation for 2025, but the stat line (.271/.379/.486, 9 HR) couldn't quite live up to what he did in 2024. However, the under the hood numbers were excellent and represented a far better player than the stat line showed, and teams were still lining up to grab him in the second round. He has some of the most impressive raw power in the class, recording 90th percentile exit velocities around 110 MPH and putting on one of the most jaw-dropping MLB Draft Combine batting practices in the event's history. It's a gorgeous, compact left handed swing combined with tons of strength from a sturdy 6'1", 225 pound frame that sends the ball rocketing off the bat in the air with authority. He cut his strikeout rate from 25.5% as a freshman to 21.1% as a sophomore, still high but more palatable. There will always be swing and miss in Compton's game, though a strong run through the Cape Cod League (.331/.414/.489, just 16.6% strikeout rate) lends hope that it shouldn't be a dealbreaker in pro ball. Pressure will be on his surface numbers to bounce back in pro ball though because his defensive tools are all fringy at best, leaving left field as the most likely landing place. He won't provide much value on that side of the ball. That said, if he can just made contact at a reasonable rate, the power is so impressive that he could threaten for 30+ home run seasons annually at peak.
3-78: OF Max Williams, Florida State
Slot value: $1.04 million. Signing bonus: $897,500 ($146,200 below slot value).
My rank: #70. MLB Pipeline: #81. Baseball America: #92.
The first of many Floridians in this class for the Marlins, Max Williams' hometown is variously listed as Ormond Beach (just north of Daytona) or Fleming Island (south of Jacksonville) and he attended Clay High School in Green Cove Springs (also south of Jacksonville). Williams began his career at Alabama, hitting well in a part-time role before transferring back home to Florida State and putting up two excellent seasons. He has a bit of an awkward setup at the plate, using a spread out stance and a choppy swing that gashes at the ball more than anything else. It works, though, as his twitchy athleticism and innate strength helps him blast the ball in the air with authority, showing plus power in games that helped him crush 33 home runs over 119 games in two seasons in Tallahassee. In fact, the ball jumps off his bat so spectacularly (similar to Brandon Compton) that mechanical tweaks could help him unlock 30 homer power in the big leagues. Williams is very aggressive at the plate, limiting his walks, but he fights his way through at bats and works pitchers better than most ultra-aggressive hitters. He also shows very solid bat to ball to make up for the tendency to chase out of the zone, keeping the strikeout rates reasonable (and dropping from 21.6% in 2024 to 16.1% in 2025). In the outfield, his above average speed gives him a shot to play center field if he can refine his reads and routes a little bit, but if Cam Cannarella hits enough to claim that spot, his above average arm will help him profile very well in either corner outfield spot. To top it off, Williams is very young for a college junior, not turning 21 until a month after the draft and clocking in nearly a full year younger than other college bats the Marlins took to start this draft.
Slot value: $1.04 million. Signing bonus: $897,500 ($146,200 below slot value).
My rank: #70. MLB Pipeline: #81. Baseball America: #92.
The first of many Floridians in this class for the Marlins, Max Williams' hometown is variously listed as Ormond Beach (just north of Daytona) or Fleming Island (south of Jacksonville) and he attended Clay High School in Green Cove Springs (also south of Jacksonville). Williams began his career at Alabama, hitting well in a part-time role before transferring back home to Florida State and putting up two excellent seasons. He has a bit of an awkward setup at the plate, using a spread out stance and a choppy swing that gashes at the ball more than anything else. It works, though, as his twitchy athleticism and innate strength helps him blast the ball in the air with authority, showing plus power in games that helped him crush 33 home runs over 119 games in two seasons in Tallahassee. In fact, the ball jumps off his bat so spectacularly (similar to Brandon Compton) that mechanical tweaks could help him unlock 30 homer power in the big leagues. Williams is very aggressive at the plate, limiting his walks, but he fights his way through at bats and works pitchers better than most ultra-aggressive hitters. He also shows very solid bat to ball to make up for the tendency to chase out of the zone, keeping the strikeout rates reasonable (and dropping from 21.6% in 2024 to 16.1% in 2025). In the outfield, his above average speed gives him a shot to play center field if he can refine his reads and routes a little bit, but if Cam Cannarella hits enough to claim that spot, his above average arm will help him profile very well in either corner outfield spot. To top it off, Williams is very young for a college junior, not turning 21 until a month after the draft and clocking in nearly a full year younger than other college bats the Marlins took to start this draft.
4-108: SS Drew Faurot, Florida State
Slot value: $708,300. Signing bonus: $531,225 ($177,075 below slot value).
My rank: #147. MLB Pipeline: #158. Baseball America: #248.
Two picks, two North Florida natives who transferred into Florida State. Drew Faurot was a well-known prep prospect who pushed himself up draft boards with a strong spring at Florida State University High School in Tallahassee, but spurned offers to head to UCF. After blasting fifteen home runs as a true freshman, he transferred back to his hometown to play for FSU. While his numbers took a step back as a sophomore, he re-established himself as a junior in 2025 to push back into roughly the same draft range where he had been in high school. Faurot has huge bat speed that gives him above average raw power and helped him hit sixteen home runs in 2025, producing strong batted ball data. He does a great job getting his arms extended to produce that power, though in turn the swing can get long and he can swing and miss in the zone a bit. With a moderately aggressive approach, there are some strikeout questions, though his 18.3% K rate in 2025 represented a career-best and he showed well against strong pitching on the Cape last summer (.263/.342/.414). A switch hitter that performs better from the right side, there are some who would like to see him focus just on that side of the plate. Faurot has a solid glove and can handle any position on the infield, though he's just a little bit stretched at shortstop and figures to profile at second base in the long run. This could become a utility infield profile with the thump to club 15-20 home runs annually if he gets enough at bats to get there, or if the hit tool translates then he could find himself as an every day second baseman.
Slot value: $708,300. Signing bonus: $531,225 ($177,075 below slot value).
My rank: #147. MLB Pipeline: #158. Baseball America: #248.
Two picks, two North Florida natives who transferred into Florida State. Drew Faurot was a well-known prep prospect who pushed himself up draft boards with a strong spring at Florida State University High School in Tallahassee, but spurned offers to head to UCF. After blasting fifteen home runs as a true freshman, he transferred back to his hometown to play for FSU. While his numbers took a step back as a sophomore, he re-established himself as a junior in 2025 to push back into roughly the same draft range where he had been in high school. Faurot has huge bat speed that gives him above average raw power and helped him hit sixteen home runs in 2025, producing strong batted ball data. He does a great job getting his arms extended to produce that power, though in turn the swing can get long and he can swing and miss in the zone a bit. With a moderately aggressive approach, there are some strikeout questions, though his 18.3% K rate in 2025 represented a career-best and he showed well against strong pitching on the Cape last summer (.263/.342/.414). A switch hitter that performs better from the right side, there are some who would like to see him focus just on that side of the plate. Faurot has a solid glove and can handle any position on the infield, though he's just a little bit stretched at shortstop and figures to profile at second base in the long run. This could become a utility infield profile with the thump to club 15-20 home runs annually if he gets enough at bats to get there, or if the hit tool translates then he could find himself as an every day second baseman.
5-139: 1B Chris Arroyo, Virginia
Slot value: $523,900. Signing bonus: $521,400 ($2,500 below slot value).
My rank: #134. MLB Pipeline: #193. Baseball America: #110.
Chris Arroyo brings the Marlins a third straight Floridian. Born and initially raised in Puerto Rico, he attended high school at powerhouse Stoneman Douglas in the South Florida suburb of Coral Springs alongside seventh rounder Jake Clemente. Beginning his college career at Florida with Clemente, he pitched a little but ultimately spent most of the season on the bench. Transferring to Pasco Hernando State, he exploded as one of the best JuCo hitters in the country while also showing well on the mound, earning a two-way opportunity at UVA. He made it onto the mound for 12.2 innings in Charlottesville, but ultimately shined with the bat where he served as the team's regular first baseman. Miami will be drafting him as a hitter only. Arroyo shows sneaky plus raw power, though it plays closer to above average with a more linear swing geared for all fields line drive contact. While he's an aggressive hitter, he still controls the zone well by fighting off tough pitches and battling deep into counts, ultimately leading to a low 13.8% strikeout rate in 2025. It's the kind of offensive profile that could improve dramatically in pro ball, especially as he focuses on hitting only. Additionally, like Max Williams he is extremely young for the class and didn't turn 21 until September, making him more than a year younger than Cam Cannarella. That gives Miami more time to fine tune the approach. Defensively limited to first base now that he's no longer pitching, the pressure will be on his bat and especially the power to start showing up more frequently. This is an interesting profile that gives the Marlins a lot to work with and could become a potential 20+ home run bat annually.
Slot value: $523,900. Signing bonus: $521,400 ($2,500 below slot value).
My rank: #134. MLB Pipeline: #193. Baseball America: #110.
Chris Arroyo brings the Marlins a third straight Floridian. Born and initially raised in Puerto Rico, he attended high school at powerhouse Stoneman Douglas in the South Florida suburb of Coral Springs alongside seventh rounder Jake Clemente. Beginning his college career at Florida with Clemente, he pitched a little but ultimately spent most of the season on the bench. Transferring to Pasco Hernando State, he exploded as one of the best JuCo hitters in the country while also showing well on the mound, earning a two-way opportunity at UVA. He made it onto the mound for 12.2 innings in Charlottesville, but ultimately shined with the bat where he served as the team's regular first baseman. Miami will be drafting him as a hitter only. Arroyo shows sneaky plus raw power, though it plays closer to above average with a more linear swing geared for all fields line drive contact. While he's an aggressive hitter, he still controls the zone well by fighting off tough pitches and battling deep into counts, ultimately leading to a low 13.8% strikeout rate in 2025. It's the kind of offensive profile that could improve dramatically in pro ball, especially as he focuses on hitting only. Additionally, like Max Williams he is extremely young for the class and didn't turn 21 until September, making him more than a year younger than Cam Cannarella. That gives Miami more time to fine tune the approach. Defensively limited to first base now that he's no longer pitching, the pressure will be on his bat and especially the power to start showing up more frequently. This is an interesting profile that gives the Marlins a lot to work with and could become a potential 20+ home run bat annually.
6-168: LHP Joey Volini, Florida State
Slot value: $397,000. Signing bonus: $297,750 ($99,250 below slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: #216. Baseball America: #303.
Continuing to roll with the Floridians, Miami picked up a third Florida State Seminole transfer in four picks. Joey Volini grew up in Tampa and played at powerhouse Jesuit High School alongside future Seminole and A's #11 overall pick Jamie Arnold, then began his career locally at USF where he showed well in sporadic action. Joining Drew Faurot in transferring to Florida State in 2025, Volini started off the season with a bang by dominating virtually every opponent early in the season. By the end of March, he was 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA and a 63/9 strikeout to walk ratio across 43.1 innings. After getting roughed up by Wake Forest in April, his numbers came back to earth a little bit over his next several starts, but the prospect was established. Volini does not throw particularly hard, sitting around 90 and only really topping out around 93 at peak, but he makes up for it with the rest of the profile. He can really spin a breaking ball, showing excellent finish on his deep curveball while tightening it up for a solid slider as well, while his deceptive changeup gives him a fourth big league pitch. Volini trusts all four pitches and can throw them in any count, also showing the ability to command everything to both sides of the plate. His strong feel for pitching helps him keep hitters off balance, while his huge frame (6'4", 245 pounds) gives the indication that he'll be durable going forward. With above average command, an approach that keeps pitch counts down, and that big frame, he has a very good shot to become a back-end starter. In order to do that, he'll need to find another tick or two on the fastball so 89 over the plate doesn't get crushed. As a senior sign, he'll turn 23 in December but has the profile to move quickly.
Slot value: $397,000. Signing bonus: $297,750 ($99,250 below slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: #216. Baseball America: #303.
Continuing to roll with the Floridians, Miami picked up a third Florida State Seminole transfer in four picks. Joey Volini grew up in Tampa and played at powerhouse Jesuit High School alongside future Seminole and A's #11 overall pick Jamie Arnold, then began his career locally at USF where he showed well in sporadic action. Joining Drew Faurot in transferring to Florida State in 2025, Volini started off the season with a bang by dominating virtually every opponent early in the season. By the end of March, he was 7-0 with a 1.25 ERA and a 63/9 strikeout to walk ratio across 43.1 innings. After getting roughed up by Wake Forest in April, his numbers came back to earth a little bit over his next several starts, but the prospect was established. Volini does not throw particularly hard, sitting around 90 and only really topping out around 93 at peak, but he makes up for it with the rest of the profile. He can really spin a breaking ball, showing excellent finish on his deep curveball while tightening it up for a solid slider as well, while his deceptive changeup gives him a fourth big league pitch. Volini trusts all four pitches and can throw them in any count, also showing the ability to command everything to both sides of the plate. His strong feel for pitching helps him keep hitters off balance, while his huge frame (6'4", 245 pounds) gives the indication that he'll be durable going forward. With above average command, an approach that keeps pitch counts down, and that big frame, he has a very good shot to become a back-end starter. In order to do that, he'll need to find another tick or two on the fastball so 89 over the plate doesn't get crushed. As a senior sign, he'll turn 23 in December but has the profile to move quickly.
7-198: RHP Jake Clemente, Florida
Slot value: $309,400. Signing bonus: $500,000 ($190,600 above slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: #189. Baseball America: #204.
The final in our run of five straight Floridians, Jake Clemente snuck up draft boards and has a chance to outplay many of his pre-draft projections. A native of Coral Springs, Clemente was teammates with fifth rounder Chris Arroyo at Stoneman Douglas High School and the two were part of the same incoming freshman class at Florida prior to the 2023 season. Clemente missed the entire season with shoulder problems, then when Arroyo transferred out, he took a regular role in the bullpen in 2024. While his transition to the rotation in 2025 was short-lived, he thrived upon becoming the Gators' closer and from April onwards held a 1.45 ERA and a 35.4% strikeout rate across 31 innings. Clemente is a power arm, sitting in the mid 90's as a starter and touching as high as 99 in relief with sink to generate ground ball contact down and miss bats up. The velocity is the primary draw, as his mid to upper 80's power slider can lack finish at times and his firm changeup is a tertiary pitch. He added a curveball in 2025 that seems to have better finish and might be his better breaking ball going forward. The 6'3" righty is plenty physical enough to start with an athletic delivery and strong frame, but fringy command coming from very long arm action as well as a lack of a putaway secondary might make a transition to the rotation difficult. Given that Miami gave him fifth round money to sign here in the seventh round, they may have some hopes of trying him in the rotation once again once they have a chance to stretch him out in spring training. Regardless, the floor here is that of a power reliever who can approach triple digits out of the bullpen, and if they can sharpen one of the secondaries, that's a big league reliever.
Slot value: $309,400. Signing bonus: $500,000 ($190,600 above slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: #189. Baseball America: #204.
The final in our run of five straight Floridians, Jake Clemente snuck up draft boards and has a chance to outplay many of his pre-draft projections. A native of Coral Springs, Clemente was teammates with fifth rounder Chris Arroyo at Stoneman Douglas High School and the two were part of the same incoming freshman class at Florida prior to the 2023 season. Clemente missed the entire season with shoulder problems, then when Arroyo transferred out, he took a regular role in the bullpen in 2024. While his transition to the rotation in 2025 was short-lived, he thrived upon becoming the Gators' closer and from April onwards held a 1.45 ERA and a 35.4% strikeout rate across 31 innings. Clemente is a power arm, sitting in the mid 90's as a starter and touching as high as 99 in relief with sink to generate ground ball contact down and miss bats up. The velocity is the primary draw, as his mid to upper 80's power slider can lack finish at times and his firm changeup is a tertiary pitch. He added a curveball in 2025 that seems to have better finish and might be his better breaking ball going forward. The 6'3" righty is plenty physical enough to start with an athletic delivery and strong frame, but fringy command coming from very long arm action as well as a lack of a putaway secondary might make a transition to the rotation difficult. Given that Miami gave him fifth round money to sign here in the seventh round, they may have some hopes of trying him in the rotation once again once they have a chance to stretch him out in spring training. Regardless, the floor here is that of a power reliever who can approach triple digits out of the bullpen, and if they can sharpen one of the secondaries, that's a big league reliever.
9-258: LHP Kaiden Wilson, Texas A&M
Slot value: $209,600. Signing bonus: $697,500 ($487,900 above slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: unranked. Baseball America: unranked.
This one is a pure projection play for Miami. Kaiden Wilson has very little track record and went unranked on most major public draft boards, but signed for fourth round money here in the ninth round. Wilson has just 33.1 innings under his belt with an ugly 6.21 ERA, having never started a game nor completed three innings in a single outing for the Aggies, but Miami believes in the upside. His fastball sits in the mid 90's and plays up with riding and cutting action from a high slot, making for a relatively unique fastball shape that has proven very difficult to square up. He has a sharp mid 80's slider with tight sweep to miss bats, while his changeup is a tertiary pitch at this point. Wilson has struggled with command and his stuff can play down when he falls behind in the count and/or leaves the ball over the plate, precluding Texas A&M from stretching him out as a starter. Given the hefty investment, I'd expect the Marlins to do just that in spring training in 2026, looking to fine tune the command a bit and bring along his changeup. The 6'2" lefty is plenty physical and looks durable enough to handle the move so long as the command and secondaries come along. It's very interesting stuff from the left side that will absolutely play against major league hitters so long as he can get himself up to the Show.
Slot value: $209,600. Signing bonus: $697,500 ($487,900 above slot value).
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: unranked. Baseball America: unranked.
This one is a pure projection play for Miami. Kaiden Wilson has very little track record and went unranked on most major public draft boards, but signed for fourth round money here in the ninth round. Wilson has just 33.1 innings under his belt with an ugly 6.21 ERA, having never started a game nor completed three innings in a single outing for the Aggies, but Miami believes in the upside. His fastball sits in the mid 90's and plays up with riding and cutting action from a high slot, making for a relatively unique fastball shape that has proven very difficult to square up. He has a sharp mid 80's slider with tight sweep to miss bats, while his changeup is a tertiary pitch at this point. Wilson has struggled with command and his stuff can play down when he falls behind in the count and/or leaves the ball over the plate, precluding Texas A&M from stretching him out as a starter. Given the hefty investment, I'd expect the Marlins to do just that in spring training in 2026, looking to fine tune the command a bit and bring along his changeup. The 6'2" lefty is plenty physical and looks durable enough to handle the move so long as the command and secondaries come along. It's very interesting stuff from the left side that will absolutely play against major league hitters so long as he can get himself up to the Show.
15-438: 3B Josh Hogue, North Carolina State
Slot value: up to $150,000. Signing bonus: $150,000.
Slot value: up to $150,000. Signing bonus: $150,000.
My rank: unranked. MLB Pipeline: unranked. Baseball America: unranked.
NC State infielders out of Florida have a pretty good track record, with two famous examples including Trea Turner (Lake Worth) and Tommy White (St. Pete Beach). Josh Hogue, a native of North Palm Beach who played his high school ball at Palm Beach Gardens High School, is hoping to be the next, though he's not technically an infielder yet. Hogue initially played at Santa Fe JC in Gainesville, then transferred to NC State where he hit .314 as a sophomore then nearly tripled his home run output while hitting .321 as a junior in 2025. Hogue is a very solid all around hitter, showing above average bat to ball ability and a keen eye to pick up offspeed stuff out of the hand. There's some pop in the bat too, as he can let loose when he gets a pitch he likes and drive it in the air to the pull side. He jumped from ten extra base hits and a .450 slugging percentage in 2024 to 29 extra base hits and a .562 slugging percentage in 2025, showing the ability more and more often to turn on the ball without sacrificing contact. Hogue played exclusively outfield in Raleigh and did the same during his brief pro debut with Low A Jupiter (ironically less than a fifteen minute drive from his high school), where he would be limited to a corner spot, but Miami did draft him as a third baseman and could give him a shot on the dirt next year. Overall, Hogue profiles as a bench option who can swing it a bit from the left side.
NC State infielders out of Florida have a pretty good track record, with two famous examples including Trea Turner (Lake Worth) and Tommy White (St. Pete Beach). Josh Hogue, a native of North Palm Beach who played his high school ball at Palm Beach Gardens High School, is hoping to be the next, though he's not technically an infielder yet. Hogue initially played at Santa Fe JC in Gainesville, then transferred to NC State where he hit .314 as a sophomore then nearly tripled his home run output while hitting .321 as a junior in 2025. Hogue is a very solid all around hitter, showing above average bat to ball ability and a keen eye to pick up offspeed stuff out of the hand. There's some pop in the bat too, as he can let loose when he gets a pitch he likes and drive it in the air to the pull side. He jumped from ten extra base hits and a .450 slugging percentage in 2024 to 29 extra base hits and a .562 slugging percentage in 2025, showing the ability more and more often to turn on the ball without sacrificing contact. Hogue played exclusively outfield in Raleigh and did the same during his brief pro debut with Low A Jupiter (ironically less than a fifteen minute drive from his high school), where he would be limited to a corner spot, but Miami did draft him as a third baseman and could give him a shot on the dirt next year. Overall, Hogue profiles as a bench option who can swing it a bit from the left side.
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