Checking in on every 2020 Marlins draft pick, five years later

It’s been half a decade since the unique and truncated 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. The draft was shortened to just five rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Led by then-president of baseball operations Michael Hill and director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik, the Miami Marlins selected six players—all pitchers.

Four of those six arms have already reached the major leagues, albeit with limited success, while the other two could plausibly get there in the not-too-distant future.

As the 2025 MLB Draft approaches on Sunday, it’s a fitting time to revisit that class.

First round, No. 3 overall: RHP Max Meyer

Holding the third overall pick after a 57-105 season in 2019, the Marlins selected right-hander Max Meyer out of the University of Minnesota. Meyer, 21 at the time, was known for his plus-plus slider and an above-average fastball. While his arsenal stood out, some scouts expressed concern over his six-foot frame and potential durability issues.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Miami Marlins (@marlins)

In 127 ⅔ MLB innings, Meyer has posted a 5.29 ERA with 120 strikeouts across 25 starts. While flashes of brilliance—like his 14-strikeout gem on April 21 against Cincinnati—hint at his potential, inconsistency and injuries have defined his early career. He has actually held his own versus left-handed batters, but yielded a .931 OPS to righties.

Meyer has undergone two major surgeries since debuting in 2022: Tommy John surgery and a left hip labral repair. He is currently rehabbing from the latter and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season.

Second round, No. 40 overall: LHP Dax Fulton

Known as Daxton Fulton when he was drafted, the large left-hander underwent Tommy John as a high school senior. The Marlins still saw enough potential to take him with the 40th overall pick even though he didn’t pitch at all in 2020. He has continued to endure an injury-riddled journey.

Fulton emerged as one of the Marlins’ top prospects after a breakout 2022 season, which he finished at Double-A Pensacola. However, another elbow injury in early 2023 required a second TJ. After missing the entire 2024 season, Fulton returned to action this spring, after having been selected to the club's 40-man roster.

So far in 2025, he’s been both productive and most importantly, available. In 12 starts, he’s recorded a 4.09 ERA over 55 innings, with more than a strikeout per inning. His fastball velocity averages around 93 mph to go along with his plus curveball. He could debut with the Marlins in 2026. 

Competitive Balance Round B, No. 61 overall: Kyle Nicolas

Svihlik first took notice of Kyle Nicolas during the 2019 Cape Cod League, calling him “a big-time arm” with a “crazy good” slider and the profile of a late bloomer.

However, Nicolas didn’t bloom in Miami. After an uneven 2021 season at High-A Beloit (5.28 ERA, 86 strikeouts in 59.2 IP), he was promoted to Double-A. That offseason, Nicolas was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with Zach Thompson and Connor Scott in exchange for catcher Jacob Stallings.

Since then, he’s bounced between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas made his MLB debut in September 2023, but has struggled at the highest level, posting a 5.13 ERA over 72 innings across three seasons. He was optioned back to Triple-A on June 11, 2025.

Third round, No. 75 overall: Zach McCambley

McCambley was selected out of Coastal Carolina University. There was reliever risk from the outset, relying on a plus curveball and average fastball. After posting a 5.65 ERA as a starter in 2022, the Marlins converted him to a full-time bullpen role.

The transition has paid some dividends. McCambley grinded at Double-A Pensacola for parts of four seasons, but finally earned a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville this year, where he’s posted a 4.50 ERA in 15 appearances while dealing with tough luck (2.90 FIP). He’s striking out 11.3 batters per nine innings and is a candidate for a late-season call-up in 2025. 

Fourth round, No. 104 overall: Jake Eder

A power lefty out of Vanderbilt, Eder appeared to be a steal at 104th overall. His pro debut was electric—he posted a 1.77 ERA with 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings over 15 Double-A starts in 2021, quickly rising to top-five prospect status in the Marlins' system.

With the Marlins improbably in wild-card contention at the 2023 trade deadline, then-GM Kim Ng sent Eder to the White Sox for infielder Jake Burger. Though controversial at the time due to Burger’s swing-and-miss issues and Eder’s potential, the deal proved pivotal in helping Miami clinch a postseason berth—their first in a full season in two decades.

Eder’s performance has declined since the trade. In 2024, he posted a 6.61 ERA over 24 starts split between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. He made his MLB debut that year in a single bullpen appearance before being designated for assignment that offseason. The Los Angeles Angels acquired him for cash considerations.

In 2025, Eder has started 13 games for Triple-A Salt Lake, recording a 6.11 ERA.

Fifth round, No. 134 overall: Kyle Hurt

The Marlins’ final selection in the shortened 2020 draft was right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt out of the University of Southern California. Then 22 years old, Hurt never pitched in a professional game for Miami. Before making his debut, he was traded—along with left-hander Alex Vesia—to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for reliever Dylan Floro.

After a rocky start to his pro career, Hurt found his footing in the Dodgers’ system, breaking out in 2023 across the upper minors. In 26 appearances (16 starts), he recorded a 3.91 ERA while striking out an eye-popping 14.9 batters per nine innings. That strong performance earned him a call-up later that season, during which he tossed two perfect innings in relief.

Hurt made three more appearances for the eventual World Series champion Dodgers in 2024, but his season was disrupted by multiple injuries. He had Tommy John surgery last summer and recently resumed throwing off a mound. A September return to the majors has not been ruled out.