Marlins 2026 draft class update: Wessley Roberson makes pro debut

[Hector Rodriguez]

The Miami Marlins welcomed 21 new players to their organization via the 2026 MLB Draft. Historically, they have been quick to test draftees in official Minor League Baseball games shortly after signing them, but the process has been different this summer. As of Tuesday, only four members of the 2026 class have suited up for Marlins MiLB affiliates, and Fish On First has learned that none of the pitchers are expected to take the mound against minor league competition until 2027.

In an interview with BoxThe Base, Nic Tolbert explained that the Marlins have delayed the professional debuts of most draftees because they are putting an emphasis on developing their physicality.

"We're all on a pretty intense training plan," Tolbert says. "We're in the weight room probably five days a week...We're trying to make as many gains as we can before we go make our debuts, that way we're at a good physical standpoint before we start to play."

Here’s an update for every Marlins draft pick from their 2026 draft class:

SS Jacob Lombard (Round 1): Lombard has a .209/.341/.359 slash line in 18 games for the Low-A Jupiter Hammerheads. Lombard has recorded 14 hits, three home runs, 13 RBIs, 11 walks, 12 runs scored, nine stolen bases, and a .700 OPS. His strikeout rate is a bit elevated at 39.0%.

LHP Ethan Kleinschmit (Round 2): No MiLB games yet

RHP Ryan Peterson (Competitive Balance Round B): No MiLB games yet

SS Cam Kozeal (Round 3): Kozeal's numbers are unchanged over the past two weeks because he's currently on the injured list. He has a .214/.313/.405 slash line in ten games for the Hammerheads. Kozeal has recorded nine hits, two doubles, two home runs, three RBIs, six walks, six runs scored, and a .718 OPS.

OF Wessley Roberson (Round 4): The Peach State native made his professional debut with the Hammerheads last week. Roberson went 0-for-2, but drew two walks and scored a run while patrolling center field.

LHP Trey Beard (Round 5): No MiLB games yet

RHP Cole Selvig (Round 6): No MiLB games yet

SS Eric Guevara (Round 7): Guevara has a .222/.349/.389 slash line in twelve games for Jupiter. Guevara has recorded eight hits, two home runs, seven RBIs, seven walks, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, and a .738 OPS. He is playing third base almost exclusively. His throwing accuracy still has room to improve.

1B Rintaro Sasaki (Round 8): No MiLB games yet

3B Nic Tolbert (Round 9): No MiLB games yet

RHP Zach Peters (Round 10): No MiLB games yet

RHP Fabio Bundi (Round 11): No MiLB games yet

RHP Bane Barker (Round 12): No MiLB games yet

RHP Connor Benge (Round 13): No MiLB games yet

RHP Tyler Kapa (Round 14): No MiLB games yet

RHP Colin Linder (Round 15): No MiLB games yet

RHP Porter Buursema (Round 16): No MiLB games yet

RHP Duke McCarron (Round 17): No MiLB games yet

OF Jatniel McCloud (Round 18): No MiLB games yet

RHP Jackson Mitchell (Round 19): No MiLB games yet

RHP Joey Lawson (Round 20): No MiLB games yet

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[One Regend]

Jacob Lombard is a bit concerning.

I was expecting swing-and-miss in his game, but a strikeout rate near 40% at Low-A is alarming. That is downright Monte Harrison levels of swing-through-balls. I won't hold it too harshly against him as he's getting his feet wet in his first action of professional ball, but I have some concerns about his future in higher-level competition.