2026 Fish On First MLB Mock Draft 3.0

[Hector Rodriguez]

Today is the day. The 2026 MLB Draft begins this afternoon in Philadelphia. Fish On First has already published profiles for many of the prospects worth considering for the Miami Marlins in the first round. It's time to dive even deeper with dueling multi-round mock drafts from FOF's own Hector Rodriguez and Sean McCormack.

 

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Hector Rodriguez's Mock Draft

First Round (14th overall)—Ace Reese, 3B, Mississippi State

Slot value: $5,444,900

With the 14th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Ace Reese. No change here for me from my previous mock draft. The Marlins land one of the best power hitters in this draft class with the selection of the SEC corner infielder.

Ace Reese is the 6’4”, 220-pound third baseman out of Mississippi State University. On Baseball America, Reese is the 12th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On ESPN, Reese is the 17th-ranked prospect in this draft class. He’s also the 18th-ranked draft prospect on MLB Pipeline.

At the plate, Gracia has excellent bat speed and has natural lift in his swing. He has a 60-grade power tool and has consistently been one of the best power hitters in the country since he arrived at Mississippi State. Defensively, there are some questions about whether he can stick at third base. If not, he’s a first baseman or left fielder at the next level.

During the 2026 season, Reese played and started in all 62 games. Reese slashed .336/.432/.721 with 83 hits, 23 doubles, 24 home runs, 74 RBIs, 72 runs scored, 41 walks, and a 1.152 OPS. Reese was named First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American.

 

Second Round (52nd overall)—Andrew Williamson, OF, UCF

Slot value: $1,892,500

With the 52nd pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Andrew Williamson. The Marlins use their second round pick to draft one of my most well-rounded collegiate prospects in this draft class.

Andrew Williamson is the 6’0”, 195-pound outfielder out of the University of Central Florida. On Baseball America, Williamson is the 48th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. On ESPN, Williams is the 50th-ranked prospect in this draft class. He’s also the 52nd-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline.

At the plate, Williamson has a short, compact swing with an advanced plate approach. He posted a career-high 17.7% walk rate last season. Even though he’s undersized, Williamson has plus power potential and excellent bat speed. Williamson projects to be a right fielder at the next level.

During the 2026 season, Williamson played and started in all 55 games. Williamson slashed .322/.442/.645 with 69 hits, thirteen doubles, four triples, sixteen home runs, 48 RBIs, 41 walks, and a 1.086 OPS. He was also named Second Team All-Big 12.

 

Competitive Balance Round B (71st overall)—Will Gasparino, OF, UCLA

Slot value: $1,192,600

With the 71st pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Will Gasparino. The Marlins grab another college bat who fits the mold of collegiate bats they have taken in previous drafts.

Will Gasparino is a 6’6”, 220-pound outfielder out of the University of California, Los Angeles. On Baseball America, Gasparino is the 71st-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On MLB Pipeline, Volchko is the 72nd-ranked prospect in this draft class. He’s also the 94th-ranked draft prospect on ESPN.

In the past, the Marlins have selected athletic collegiate bats with a power-over-hit offensive profile. Gasparino fits that mold perfectly. He has a 60-grade power tool and a 45-grade hit tool. He’s also an above-average runner and could stick in centerfield.

During the 2026 season, Gasparino played and started in 58 games. Gasparino slashed .314/.412/.659 with 69 hits, twelve doubles, two triples, 20 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a 1.071 OPS. Gasparino was named a NCBWA First Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten.

 

Third Round (87th overall)—Jack Slightom, RHP, Lyons Township HS (IL)

Slot value: $929,700

With the 87th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Jack Slightom. The Marlins grab their first high school prospect and pitching prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft.

Jack Slightom is a 6’5”, 215-pound right-handed pitcher out of Lyons Township High School in Western Springs, Illinois. On Perfect Game, Slightom is the 152nd-ranked prospect and the 49th-ranked right-handed pitcher in the country. He’s also the third-ranked prospect in the state of Illinois.

On ESPN, Slightom is the 60th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. On MLB Pipeline, Slightom is the 89th-ranked prospect in this draft class. He’s also the 101st-ranked draft prospect on Baseball America.

On the mound, Slightom possesses a three-pitch mix including his fastball, slider, and changeup. Slightom’s fastball was sitting in the low-90s in his junior season. However, his fastball velocity has increased into the mid-90s and tops out at 98 mph with arm-side run. He has a slow low-80s slider and a really good feel for his changeup, which is very effective against right-handed batters.

 

Fourth Round (115th overall)—Peyton Bonds, OF, Rutgers

Slot value: $677,500

With the 115th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Peyton Bonds. The Marlins grab another college hitter who has been highly productive since they enrolled on campus.

Peyton Bonds is a 6’5”, 230-pound outfielder out of Rutgers University. On MLB Pipeline, Bonds is the 81st-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On Baseball America, Bonds is the 114th-ranked prospect in this draft class. He’s also the 118th-ranked draft prospect on ESPN.

At the plate, Bonds is a physically gifted prospect with plus hit tools and plenty of potential raw power. He’s one of the best athletes in this draft class and could play center field at the next level. He’s also the nephew of the MLB home run king Barry Bonds and the grandson of three-time All-Star Bobby Bonds Sr. 

During the 2026 season, Bonds played and started in 36 games. He missed some time due to an injury. Bonds slashed .352/.436/.535 with 50 hits, eight doubles, six home runs, 29 RBIs, thirteen stolen bases, and a .972 OPS.

 

Fifth Round (147th overall)—Deven Sheerin, RHP, LSU

Slot value: $496,400

With the 147th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Deven Sheerin. The Marlins finish this mock draft by grabbing one of the top relief pitchers in college baseball.

Deven Sheerin is a 6’5”, 255-pound right-handed pitcher out of LSU. On MLB Pipeline, Sheerin is the 145th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On ESPN, Sheerin is the 163rd-ranked draft prospect. He’s also the 233rd-ranked prospect on Baseball America.

On the mound, Sheerin possesses a three-pitch arsenal including his fastball, slider, and splitter. His fastball sits in the upper-90s and has been clocked at 100 mph. It has really nice carry and gets in on right-handed batters. He has a plus mid-80s slider and decent feel for his upper-80s splitter.

During the 2026 season, Sheerin made all 20 appearances out of the bullpen. Sheerin posted a 3-2 record with a 4.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, five saves, 4.3 BB/9, a .210 opponent batting average, and 58 strikeouts in 37 ⅔ innings pitched.

 

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Sean McCormack's Mock Draft

First Round (14th overall)—Liam Peterson, RHP, University of Florida

Slot value: $5,444,900

Future value: 50

With pick 14, I mock University of Florida ace Liam Peterson to the Marlins. A highly touted high-schooler out of the Tampa region, Peterson has spent his last four years at UF. The Florida native has always had electric stuff—he touches 100 mph and sits 96—but has struggled with command.

Peterson, who is 6'5", has all the traits of a top-of-the-rotation starter. The ability to spin the ball at a high level will be appealing to MLB teams who are eager to expand Peterson's arsenal.

 

Second Round (52nd overall)—Ethan Bass, SS, Glenbrook North HS (IL)

Slot value: $1,892,500

Future value: 45

Ethan Bass is a more under-the-radar name in this draft. Committed to Wake Forest, he may take some convincing to sign, leading the Marlins to offer a potential overslot deal. Bass excels with his batted ball data, shows a strong understanding of the zone, while posting above-average contact rates. As the Marlins look to draft athletes who can stick at shortstop long term, Bass would fit that description.

 

Competitive Balance Round B (71st overall)— Ryan Peterson, RHP, Sam Houston State

Slot value: $1,192,600

Future value: 45

Ryan Peterson has become more of a buzzy name as the draft approaches. The Sam Houston State product struggled to begin his college career, but since exhibiting a jump in velo, he has gained solid results. Peterson commands well, has the ability to expand his pitch mix due to high spin capacity, gets strong extension down the mound and has intriguing release traits which advanced pitching development orgs may target.

What makes Peterson truly stand out is his extremely flat approach to the plate and nearly side-arm angle. Highly deceptive, he has drawn comparisons to Bryan Woo and Christian Scott.

 

Third Round (87th overall)—Alex Conover, OF, Oklahoma State

Slot value: $929,700

Future value: 45

Not many hitters in college baseball hotter than Oklahoma State outfielder Alex Conover. Really positioning himself well for July’s Draft. pic.twitter.com/65EKRbXhqX

— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) May 12, 2026

Oklahoma State outfielder Alex Conover began his college career at the JuCo level. The 6'4", left-handed hitter has taken large strides every year at the plate, cutting his chase numbers and growing into a diverse hitter who uses the whole field. Conover hit a career-high 14 home runs in 2026, while cutting his strikeout rate. A 20-year-old on draft day, he has a up arrow next to his name.

 

Fourth Round (115th overall)—Jake Carbaugh, RHP, Plant City HS (FL)

Slot value: $677,500

Future value: 40

The 6'6", 18-year-old has some outlandish traits. Beyond Carbaugh's height his ability to spin the baseball leaps off the screen (up to 2900 rpm). With whippy arm action and solid extension down the mound, Carbaugh can definitely project as a starter as his career continues.

The biggest component to getting everything working is the command, but the traits are there for the Mississippi state commit.

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