Marlins draft PJ Morlando, Carter Johnson, Aiden May on Day 1

[Ely Sussman]

Offishial News for 7/15/24

On Sunday, Trevor Rogers no-hit the Reds through 5 ⅓ innings, but once again received limited offensive support—the Marlins have scored three runs or fewer in 15 of his 19 starts this season. Jonah Bride drove in two and Xavier Edwards went 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases, including the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the eighth. Tanner Scott recorded a four-out save and enters the All-Star break riding a month-long scoreless streak. The Marlins won, 3-2.

Down on the farm, Triple-A Jacksonville won, 2-1. RHP Max Meyer (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 66 pitches/41 strikes) finally earned his first Triple-A win of 2024. His changeup was particularly effective, inducing six whiffs on eight swings. Very good chance that Meyer makes his long-awaited return to the Marlins rotation during the first homestand following the break. Double-A Pensacola lost, 4-3. In his 38th game of the year, utility man Dalvy Rosario hit his first home run. High-A Beloit won, 3-2. The Sky Carp went with a bullpen game and held Cedar Rapids without an extra-base hit. Low-A Jupiter lost, 6-5. The Hammerheads went 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position. Through nine rehab games (Jupiter/FCL combined), OF Shane Sasaki has slashed .345/.525/.414 with three steals. He should be rejoining the Blue Wahoos next weekend.

Here's more Marlins news and content:

🔷 Following his ejection on Saturday, Dane Myers fractured his left ankle when kicking the door of the Marlins clubhouse in frustration. The injury is likely to keep him out until September, per Craig Mish of SportsGrid, who reports it'll take an estimated 6-8 weeks to recover. It's no exaggeration to say this could be a career-altering mistake for Myers. Slashing .265/.337/.422 (113 wRC+) in 40 games this season, he would've been on track to start the majority of remaining Marlins games, particularly if the team trades away Jazz Chisholm Jr. This was a crucial window for the 28-year-old to prove himself.

🔷 With their first pick in the 2024 MLB Draft (16th overall), the Marlins selected CF PJ Morlando from Summerville High School in South Carolina. It was an absolutely shocking choice, as you can tell from our Fish On First LIVE reactions. Morlando's standout tool is his power, but even that did not translate to game action during his senior season. Marlins director of amateur scouting Frankie Piliere raved about Morlando's athleticism and explained how he had been scouting him closely dating back to last summer when Piliere was still working for the Mariners. It's a longshot that Morlando sticks in center field, though he'll get the opportunity to play there initially. Relatively old for his high school class—he turned 19 in May—Morlando will receive substantially less than his $4.7M slot value, sources tell Fish On First.

🔷 With their second pick (56th overall), they selected SS Carter Johnson from Oxford High School in Alabama. This one was less surprising as the Marlins had been linked to Johnson via several reports leading up to the draft. Another big-framed, left-handed hitter, the 18-year-old likely winds up as a second baseman long term. Expect the University of Alabama commit to sign for more than his $1.6M slot value.

🔷 With their third pick (70th overall), they selected Oregon State RHP Aiden May. May posted a 3.05 ERA in 14 starts during his junior season. His collegiate career included previous stops at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. He possesses a plus slider. The key to him remaining an effective starting pitcher in pro ball will be whether he can develop the rest of his pitch mix to contain lefty opponents.

🔷 The MLB Draft resumes today at 2:00 p.m. ET with Rounds 3-10. The Marlins hold the 92nd, 122nd, 155th, 184th, 215th, 245th, 275th and 305th overall picks.

🔷 Elsewhere around baseball, Blake Snell carried a perfect game through six innings in what was easily his best start as a member of the Giants. There was an insane finish to the Yankees/Orioles game. Both teams scored three times in the ninth inning and the O's secured a walk-off win on back-to-back defensive miscues. The Athletics routed the MLB-best Phillies, 18-3.

🔷 Today's MiLB schedule: 

• FCL Marlins at FCL Mets, 12:00 p.m. ET
• DSL Marlins at DSL Rangers Blue, 11:00 a.m. ET
• DSL Miami vs. DSL Phillies White, 11:00 a.m. ET

 

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[Leo Armbrister]

I don't follow amateur baseball players but it seems that the experts on MLB wasn't excited with our Moralando pick at 16. I hope he works out but if we are not going to spend on FA's we have to hit on our draft picks. It is hard being a Marlins fan. 

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

The unfolding of the Bendix program is fascinating. We will see how smart he and his associates are. I suspect that the baseball powers hope Bendix fails thus creating another Rays-esque competition machine outside their traditional (high-priced) mechanism. It is vital for long-term baseball sustainability that some alternative strategies succeed in countering systemic inequities. 

[One Regend]

This was an obvious reach of a draft pick. This was a stacked class, and this was a franchise that sorely needed talent.

Derek Jeter and Gary Denbo set this franchise back 10+ years, and draft picks like this one doesn't help. I'm sorry, but second-rounder Carter Johnson isn't worth reaching on this first round pick.