Miami Marlins 2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0

[Hector Rodriguez]

Simulating who the Marlins could select with their first six picks in the upcoming draft.

The 2024 MLB Draft is only a week away, beginning on Sunday, July 14. After finishing the 2023 season with an 84-78 record (third in the NL East), the Miami Marlins hold the 16th overall pick and will have the 16th pick in each subsequent round minus the compensation and competitive balance rounds. Miami's amateur scouting department is being led by Frankie Piliere for the first time.

In case you missed them, here are version 1.0 and version 2.0 of our mock draft. This time, we’ll simulate five rounds—the 16th, 56th, 70th, 92nd, 122nd and 155th overall selections—and will continue to expand the exercise as the draft date approaches.

Here is the Miami Marlins 2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0.

 

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First Round (16th overall)—Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

Slot value: $4,704,700

With the sixteenth pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Cam Smith. The Marlins draft one of the top draft-eligible sophomores in this class.

Smith is coming off a monster 2024 season. At the plate, he has plus hitting tools and has just started to tap into his raw power. Smith’s plate approach has vastly improved since his freshman season and he also raked in the Cape Cod League. Defensively, Smith is a good glove with a plus arm. He projects as a good defensive third baseman at the next level.

On the season, Smith slashed .387/.488/.654 with 104 hits, 22 doubles, 16 home runs, 57 RBIs, four stolen bases, 44 walks, and a 1.142 OPS. Smith was named Third Team All-American on D1 Baseball. Smith was also named Second Team All-ACC last season.

 

Second Round (56th overall)—Dasan Hill, LHP, Grapevine HS (TX)

Slot value: $1,603,400

With the 56th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select left-handed pitcher Dasan Hill. The Marlins grab one of the best southpaw high school pitching prospects in this draft class. He's signed to play college baseball at Dallas Baptist University. 

On Perfect Game, Dasan Hill is the 47th-ranked prospect and the eighth-ranked left-handed pitcher in the country. He’s the sixth-ranked prospect and #1 left-handed pitcher in the Lone Star State. On MLB Pipeline, Hill is the 52nd-ranked prospect and the sixth-ranked left-handed pitcher in this draft class.

On the mound, Hill possesses a four-pitch mix, which includes a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Hill’s fastball velocity has jumped a couple of miles per hour in his senior year. He sits in the low 90s and tops out at 96 mph. Hill has plus feel with his breaking pitches, especially his slider with a high spin rate. His changeup shows some promise and projects well with his long, skinny frame.

 

Competitive Balance Round B (70th overall)—Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana

Slot value: $1,139,100

With the 70th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Kyle DeBarge. The Louisiana shortstop is an excellent fielder with Gold Glove potential.

During the 2024 season, DeBarge had an incredible breakout season and led the Ragin’ Cajun offense. DeBarge slashed 356/.418/.699 with 91 hits, 19 doubles, three triples, 21 home runs, 72 RBIs, ten stolen bases, 24 walks, and a 1.117 OPS. He was named the Sun Belt Player of the Team and First Team All-American on D1 Baseball, Baseball America, and NCWBA.

At the plate, DeBarge is a good contact hitter who rarely chases out of the zone. His power numbers jumped a bunch compared to his first two seasons at Louisiana. DeBarge also has good speed and plays excellent defense.

 

Third Round (92nd overall)—Corey Collins, 1B, Georgia

Slot value: $800,800

With the 92nd pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select first baseman Corey Collins. The Marlins reach in the third round for a senior infielder who should sign below slot value.

Overshadowed by teammate and Golden Spikes Award winner Charlie Condon, Collins had an excellent 2024 season for the Georgia Bulldogs as well. Collins slashed .354/.574/.772 with 56 hits, six doubles, 20 home runs, 58 RBIs, 56 walks, and a 1.346 OPS. Collins was also named Second Team All-American on Baseball America.

Collins is a pull-happy hitter, but made gains with his plate approach last season. His on-base percentage was somewhat inflated due to being hit by 28 pitches in 52 games. He crushes the fastball and also improved on reading spin and hitting breaking pitches. Collins could play left or right field at the next level.

 

Fourth Round (122nd overall)— Harrison Didawick, OF, Virginia

Slot value: $589,000

With the 122nd pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Harrison Didawick. The Marlins grab another draft-eligible sophomore with the selection of Didawick.

During the 2024 season, Didawick had a breakout campaign for Virginia and helped lead the Cavaliers to the College World Series. Didawick slashed .297/.414/.642 with 70 hits, thirteen doubles, 23 home runs, 68 RBIs, fourteen stolen bases, and a 1.056 OPS.

At the plate, Didawick has plenty of raw power and has shown his ability to drive the ball to all fields. Most of Didawick’s power is to his pull side and he struggles against breaking pitches. He is a good defensive outfielder with good speed for a 6'4" player. Some scouts believe he can develop into a center fielder at the next level (he primarily played LF in college).

 

Fifth Round (155th overall)— Cade Townsend, RHP, Santa Margarita Catholic (CA)

Slot value: $427,000

With the 155th pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Cade Townsend. The Marlins grab another high school pitching prospect and get one from the West Coast.

Cade Townsend is a 6’1”, 185-pound right-hander out of Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. On Perfect Game, Townsend is the 110th-ranked prospect and the 28th-ranked righty in the country. He’s also the thirteenth-ranked prospect and fourth-ranked right-handed pitcher out of California. Townsend is signed to play college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels.

On the mound, Townsend's arsenal includes a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out at 94 mph. The curveball is Townsend’s best pitch, which has a high spin rate and generates lots of swing-and-miss. Townsend does need to develop some feel with his slider and changeup. His control also needs refinement, but his work ethic will help him develop into a more complete pitcher at the next level.

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