Hector Rodriguez's 2025 Miami Marlins Draft Board

Hector Rodriguez · July 13, 2025

The Miami Marlins have the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft. With the draft rapidly approaching, it has become clearer which prospects are likely to be off the board by the time Miami is on the clock—Ethan Holliday, Kade Anderson, Jamie Arnold and Liam Doyle are excluded from this article for that reason. Regardless of how things shake out ahead of them, they should have a chance to select one of the best high school players in the class.

Let's focus on my top five realistically available players worth considering.

1. SS Eli Willits

FOF draft profile

With the expectation of Miami drafting a high school position player with their first pick, Eli Willits could be the best player available for the Fish. Willits would immediately become one of Miami’s top prospects and could crack the Top 100 in all of baseball.

Willits is a 6’0”, 180-pound middle infielder who played at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. Willits is also one of the youngest prospects in this draft as he’s only 17 years old. He is signed to play college baseball for the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Oklahoma native is widely considered to be a blue-chip prospect in the 2025 draft class. Baseball America and ESPN have Willits as the third-ranked prospect in the draft. MLB Pipeline has Willits ranked as the #5 prospect in this draft.

Willits is an excellent athlete who plays with a high motor and high baseball IQ. The switch-hitting middle infielder has a 60-grade hit tool and could add more power to his game as he matures physically. His skillset is good enough to keep at shortstop, but Willits is also capable of playing center field at the next level. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel compared Willits to Detroit Tigers Futures Game selection Kevin McGonigle.

2. SS Billy Carlson

FOF draft profile

Another high school shortstop who’s on Miami’s radar with the seventh pick is Billy Carlson. The California native was once viewed as a two-way prospect. He's arguably the best defensive shortstop in the 2025 draft class.

Billy Carlson is a 6’1”, 185-pound shortstop who played at Corona High School in Corona, California. Carlson is one of four prospects from Corona who could hear their name get called on Sunday. He is signed to play college baseball for the Tennessee Volunteers.

While Carlson’s defense has Gold Glove potential, most of his development will be focused on adding strength. Carlson has a 50-grade hit tool with strong bat-to-ball skills and an advanced approach. He does swing with the intent to lift the ball, but doesn’t possess much power yet. If he’s able to gain solid weight throughout his frame, he could eventually be an average power bat at the next level.

Most publications that cover the MLB Draft believe Carlson should be available when the Marlins make their first pick. He’s viewed as a Top 10 draft prospect on MLB Pipeline (#7), ESPN (#8), and Baseball America (#9).

3. SS Joseph “JoJo” Parker

FOF draft profile

Let’s continue the trend of high school shortstops for the Marlins with Mississippi’s very own Joseph “JoJo” Parker. The Magnolia State native also has a brother, Jacob Parker, who’s a consensus top-150 prospect in this draft class.

Parker is a 6’2”, 195-pound infielder who played at Purvis High School. The Perfect Game All-American has quickly jumped up draft boards because of his bat. Parker is signed to play college baseball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Parker has excellent offensive potential with a 60-grade hit tool and a 55-grade power tool. He can drive the ball to all fields with authority and has shown the ability to hit against high velocity and spin rates. While Parker played shortstop in high school, he projects as a second/third baseman at the next level.

Parker is another prospect who should be available with the seventh pick, but has an outside chance to be taken just before Miami’s pick. He’s viewed as a top-10 draft prospect on ESPN (#7), MLB Pipeline (#9), and Baseball America (#10).

4. RHP Seth Hernandez

FOF draft profile

Finally, a pitcher cracks my top five, and it’s the best high school pitcher in the country, Seth Hernandez. The Gatorade National Player of the Year is one of the most polished high school pitching prospects in recent drafts.

Hernandez is a 6’4”, 190-pound right-handed pitcher who played with Billy Carlson at Corona High School in California. On Perfect Game, Hernandez is the second-ranked prep prospect and #1 pitcher in the Class of 2025. Hernandez has signed to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Hernandez has a four-pitch mix including his fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. His two best pitches are his fastball and changeup. Hernandez’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and topped out at 100 mph last season. Hernandez’s changeup is arguably the best changeup in the draft, recording a 65% whiff rate in his senior season, according to Baseball America.

Baseball America has Hernandez as the #2 prospect in the draft, only behind Ethan Holliday. MLB Pipeline has him ranked #3, and ESPN ranks him at #4. While most teams may be uncomfortable taking him early in the first round because of the historically high bust rate of prep righties, Hernandez is worth the gamble.

5. INF Kayson Cunningham

FOF draft profile

The final draft prospect I have on my Marlins big board is Texas high school infielder Kayson Cunningham. The Lone Star State native is one of the best pure hitters in this draft class.

Cunningham is a 5’10”, 180-pound middle infielder who played at Johnson High School in San Antonio. Cunningham was named the Team USA Player of the Year last summer and was also the Prep Baseball All-American Game MVP. He is signed to play college baseball for the Texas Longhorns.

I got to see Cunningham play in person at the PBR All-American Game and was impressed with his hit tool and power.

It’s unlikely Cunningham is on Miami’s radar, but this is a prospect who I think could develop into an everyday big leaguer. Due to his size, most scouts believe he’ll be a second baseman at the next level. However, I am more optimistic and think he’s good enough to stick at shortstop. Cunningham has a 60-grade hit tool with a mature approach and excellent plate discipline. MLB Pipeline compared Cunningham to current Mets #1 prospect, Jett Williams.

Baseball America has Cunningham as their #11 draft prospect. He’s also the 14th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline. Unless one of the first six teams decides to cut an extreme underslot deal, he'll still be available for the Fish.

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