2026 Fish On First MLB Mock Draft 1.0

[Hector Rodriguez]

We are less than two months away from the 2026 MLB Draft. Fish On First has already published profiles for many of the prospects worth considering for the Miami Marlins in the first round, as well as an updated draft big board. It's time to dive even deeper with a three-round mock draft.

The Marlins will make four selections within the first three rounds—14th, 52nd, 71st, and 87th. Their overall bonus pool is the largest in franchise history at $11,960,100. Here is the 2026 Fish on First MLB Mock Draft 1.0.

 

First Round (14th overall)—AJ Gracia, OF, Virginia

Slot value: $5,444,900

With the 14th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder AJ Gracia. The Marlins have one of the most complete hitters in this draft class with the selection of the Virginia outfielder.

AJ Gracia is the 6’3”, 195-pound outfielder out of the University of Virginia. On MLB Pipeline, Gracia is the eleventh-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On Baseball America, Gracia is the fifteenth-ranked prospect in this draft class.

At the plate, Gracia is an excellent bat-to-ball hitter who rarely chases pitches out of the zone and can drive the ball to all fields. He has consistently hit at a high level throughout his collegiate career. However, Gracia is pretty limited defensively as he projects as a left fielder at the next level.

During the 2026 season, Gracia has played and started in 53 games. Gracia is slashing .3338/.478/.616 with 67 hits, thirteen doubles, fourteen home runs, 42 RBIs, 45 walks, and a 1.095 OPS.

 

Second Round (52nd overall)—Joseph Contreras, RHP, Blessed Trinity HS (GA)

Slot value: $1,892,500

With the 52nd pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed Joseph Contreras. The Marlins use their second round pick to draft their first high school prospect with the selection of Contreras.

Contreras is the son of former MLB veteran right-handed pitcher José Contreras. He also pitched for Team Brazil in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He even jammed Aaron Judge with a mid-90s fastball to induce a broken-bat double play.

On the mound, Contreras has a four-pitch mix including his fastball, slider, forkball, and changeup. His fastball sits in the mid-90s but was clocked at 99 mph this past spring. He has a good low-80s slider, but his best secondary pitch is his forkball. Just like his dad, Contreras generates a lot of ground balls and whiffs with his forkball.

On MLB Pipeline, Contreras is the 54th-ranked draft prospect. On Baseball America, Contreras is the 55th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft Class. Contreras is signed to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

 

Competitive Balance Round B (71st overall)— Dee Kennedy, SS, Kansas State

Slot value: $1,192,600

With the 71st pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Dee Kennedy. With their extra pick, the Marlins grab one of the biggest risers on draft boards since the beginning of the season.

Kansas State shortstop Dee Kennedy had a major breakout season for the Wildcats this season. He has been one of the most improved players in the country, especially after he had LASIK surgery.

In his junior season, Kennedy played and started in 57 games. He’s slashing .357/.461/.733 with 79 hits, seventeen doubles, three triples, 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, and a 1.194 OPS.

Kennedy is a very well-rounded prospect who can hit and also plays strong defense after a premier position. While he doesn’t have one tool that really stands out, he’s a very solid prospect who could make an immediate impact in Miami’s farm system.

 

Third Round (87th overall)—Daniel Cuvet, 3B, Miami

Slot value: $929,700

With the 87th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Daniel Cuvet. The Marlins grab a hometown kid and one of the most productive hitters in college baseball since he arrived on campus.

Daniel Cuvet is the best hitter for the Miami Hurricanes and is a former First-Team All-American. He’s a very sound hitter who has lots of power to all fields but doesn’t run well and likely projects at first base at the next level.

During the 2026 season, Cuvet has only played and started in 41 games due to an injury. Cuvet is slashing .305/.437/.649 with 46 hits, fourteen doubles, twelve home runs, 45 RBIs, 33 walks, and a 1.086 OPS.

On Baseball America, Cuvet is the 88th-ranked draft prospect. On MLB Pipeline, Cuvet is the 105th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft Class. Cuvet’s bat is legit and could come up through the minor leagues quickly if he can continue to consistently hit like he has with the Hurricanes.

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