Updates on every Miami Marlins 2023 draft pick, one year later

[Kevin Barral]

Before turning our full attention to the 2024 draft, let's revisit what each member of last year's Marlins draft class has done so far in their professional careers.

The Marlins are approaching the MLB Draft process differently in 2024 under first-time president of baseball operations Peter Bendix and first-time director of amateur scouting Frankie Piliere.

Before they begin making selections this Sunday, it's a convenient time to check in on how the 2023 draft class has progressed. Through half of their first full season in pro ball, which Marlins picks have impressed and which ones have struggled with the transition?

First, here is an overview of the 2023 class, including their signing bonuses and schools:

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Round 1 (pick #10 overall): RHP Noble Meyer

2024 stats: 12 GS, 3.22 ERA, 10.9 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9 through 50.1 IP

The Meyer selection was shocking at the time given the impressive college bats who were also available to the Marlins in the first round, but the previous regime leaned into the organization's strength of pitching development and it's worked thus far. The right-hander's elevated fastball certainly has stood out along with the slider. The changeup is still a work in progress, but it's a pitch that the Marlins have developed well throughout the system.

Recently promoted to High-A Beloit, Meyer was selected to represent the Marlins at the upcoming Futures Game. He is widely considered a Top 100 MLB prospect, ranking 40th on MLB Pipeline and 63rd on Baseball America.

 

Competitive Balance Round A (pick #35): LHP Thomas White

2024 stats: 14 GS, 3.10 ERA, 12.0 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 through 61.0 IP

Currently ranked as our Fish On First #1 prospect, White was regarded as the top left-handed high school pitcher in 2023. The Marlins had to pay him an overslot bonus to sign him. White's funky delivery has made opposing hitters swing-and-miss at a consistent rate and his fastball velocity has been even higher than Meyer's so far. He leads all Marlins minor leaguers in 2024 with 81 strikeouts.

Meyer and White were promoted to High-A together and they'll participate in the Futures Game together as well.

 

Round 2 (pick #47): OF Kemp Alderman

2024 stats: .197/.262/.250/.512, 50 wRC+, 0 HR, 2 SB in 22 G

Alderman received some Pete Alonso comparisons coming out of the draft for his size and power, but that hasn't translated to minor league action yet. He has homered only once through 56 MiLB games. His plate approach has been poor as well.

Alderman is expected to spend the rest of this season at Low-A Jupiter.

 

Round 3 (pick #78): 1B Brock Vradenburg

2024 stats: .202/.338/.308/.646, 95 wRC+, 4 HR, 13 SB in 78 games

 

The 6'7" Vradenburg recently received the promotion to High-A Beloit after a month of June where he slashed .238/.356/.464/.821 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.

The consistency with which he draws walks is encouraging, but he is defensively limited to first base.

 

Round 4 (pick #110): LHP Emmett Olson

2024 stats: 13 GS, 2.57 ERA, 8.3 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 through 63.0 IP

Olson dominated with Low-A Jupiter in April, posting a 0.00 ERA, 1.98 FIP and only walking 2.25 hitters per nine. Now at the High-A level, the numbers have inflated a bit, but they're still solid at a 3.45 ERA with a 3.47 FIP.

After pitching 82 innings in college last year, he's on track to go past the 100 mark.

 

Round 5 (pick #146): RHP Andrew Lindsey

2024 stats: 2 G, 3.38 ERA, 5.24 FIP, 10.13 K/9 and 6.75 BB/9 through 8.0 IP

Lindsey only made two appearances for the Marlins organization before being dealt last offseason alongside Erick Lara in exchange for Vidal Bruján and Calvin Faucher.

 

Round six (pick #173): OF Jake DeLeo

2024 stats: .225/.298/.320/.618, 80 wRC+, 3 HR, 7 SB in 61 G

 

DeLeo was impressive throughout spring training, but has been well below the league average offensively since going up to High-A. Defensively, he's being used in the corner outfield spots.

 

Round 7 (pick #203): LHP Justin Storm

2024 stats: 16 G, 1.40 ERA, 2.90 FIP, 12.27 K/9, 4.21 BB/9 and 2 SV through 25.2 IP

Low-A opponents are hitting only .148 against Storm this season. He is being developed as a reliever.

 

Round 8 (pick #233): RHP Nick Maldonado

2023 stats (has not pitched in 2024): 2 G, 7.71 ERA, 9.09 FIP, 7.71 K/9 and 3.86 BB/9 through 2.1 IP

Assigned to the FCL Marlins, Maldonado is on the injured list.

 

Round 9 (pick #263): OF Colby Shade

2024 stats: .274/.361/.387/.748, 120 wRC+, 3 HR, 31 SB in 65 G

 

Shade is one of the few very few bright spots among Jupiter Hammerheads position players. Although striking out at nearly a 30% rate, he's been productive overall.

Turning 23 next month, he should soon be playing against age-appropriate competition at the High-A level.

 

Round 10 (pick #293): RHP Xavier Meachem

2024 stats: 25 G, 2.20 ERA, 12.9 K/9, 5.5 BB/9 and 6 SV through 32.2 IP

Meachem's fastball/slider combo has made him a successful pro reliever right away. He is especially effective against right-handed batters.

Meachem is one of several bullpen arms from this class who could get a taste of Double-A by the end of the season.

 

Round 11 (pick #323): RHP Jake Brooks

2024 stats: 14 G (12 GS), 1.64 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 6.10 K/9 and 1.64 BB/9 through 76.2 IP

If it wasn't for the amount of talented starting pitching at the High-A level, Brooks would already be there. A lot of his success has come on inducing weak contact early in counts and limiting the walks. Brooks was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week on June 17.

 

Round 12 (pick #353): RHP Josh Ekness

2024 stats: 29 G, 1.42 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and 5 SV through 38.0 IP

Ekness falls into the same category as Meachem: a hard-thrower who should be a fast mover through this farm system. Good find on Day 3 of the draft.

 

Round 13 (pick #383): RHP Colson Lawrence

2024 stats: 14 G, 2.25 ERA, 11.7 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 through 20.0 IP

Lawrence had been a two-way player at South Alabama (reliever and outfielder). Focusing full time on pitching in 2024, he's done well in the FCL and should join Jupiter's staff soon.

 

Round 14 (pick #413): LHP Jack Sellinger

2024 stats: 18 G, 4.43 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 11.28 K/9 and 3.22 BB/9 through 22.1 IP

The 24-year-old Sellinger has allowed eight hit by pitches in limited action this season, most of them coming against his slider. With better control of that pitch, there's hope for him as a reliever.

 

Round 15 (pick #443): RHP Nigel Belgrave

2024 stats: 26 G, 1.85 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and 9 SV through 39.0 IP

Belgrave has been lights out, including in high-leverage situations.

 

Round 16 (pick #473): LHP Kevin Vaupel

Vaupel is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2024 season.

 

Round 17 (pick #503): OF Mark Coley

2024 stats: .210/.338/.371/.709, 107 wRC+, 6 HR, 15 SB in 68 G

Coley stands out for his athleticism. After a hot start to the season, he was promoted to High-A Beloit. However, since missing time with a minor injury, he's hitting .166 over the last 53 games. There is a lot of swing-and-miss to his game.

 

Round 18 (pick #533): LHP Tristan Dietrich

Dietrich was the only player in this class who did not sign with the Marlins despite being offered close to $1M from their bonus pool. He would honor his commitment to Florida International University, but struggled through his first season. Only seeing action in five games, Dietrich posted a 27.00 ERA in 2 ⅓ innings pitched.

If he sticks around with FIU, he should see opportunities to start midweek games in 2025.

 

Round 19 (pick #563): INF Johnny Olmstead

2024 stats: .249/.336/.404/.739, 111 wRC+, 7 HR, 7 SB in 75 G

Olmstead has shown that he can fake it at shortstop along with some nice production, though keep in mind, he turns 24 on Wednesday. AA-Pensacola will be a better test for his bat.

 

Round 20 (pick #593): TWP Ryan Ignoffo

2024 stats: .324/.398/.460/.858, 147 wRC+, 4 HR, 15 SB in 61 G

The Marlins are converting Ignoffo to catcher. He's been a hitting machine against Low-A pitching while getting adjusted to his new position. 

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