2026 Fish On First MLB Mock Draft 2.0

The 2026 MLB Draft gets underway next Saturday, July 11. 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 four-round mock draft.

The Marlins will make five selections within the first four rounds—the 14th, 52nd, 71st, 87th, and 115th overall picks. That will account for the vast majority of their spending, with the combined slot value of those picks being equivalent to about 85% of their $11,960,100 total bonus pool.

Here is the 2026 Fish On First MLB Mock Draft 2.0.

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. The Marlins have 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 MLB Pipeline and ESPN, Reese is the 21st-ranked prospect in this draft class.

During the 2026 season, Reese has played and started in all 62 games. He 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 a Second Team All-American.

At the plate, Reese 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.

Second Round (52nd overall)—Kaden Waechter, RHP, Jesuit HS (FL)

Slot value: $1,892,500

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

Kaden Waechter is the 6’3”, 185-pound right-handed pitcher out of Tampa Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. On ESPN, Waechter is the 48th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On MLB Pipeline, Waechter is the 52nd-ranked prospect in this draft class.

On the mound, Waechter possesses a three-pitch mix including a fastball, slider, and changeup. Waechter’s fastball sits 92-95 mph and tops out at 96 mph with 2600 RPM. His slider sits in the mid-80s and can throw it against left-handed and right-handed batters. He can throw strikes and has a good feel for his changeup.

On Perfect Game, Waechter is the 25th-ranked prospect and the third-ranked right-handed pitcher in the Class of 2026. Waechter is also the fourth-ranked prospect and the second-ranked RHP out of the Sunshine State.

Competitive Balance Round B (71st overall)—Joey Volchko, RHP, Georgia

Slot value: $1,192,600

With the 71st pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed Joey Volchko. The Marlins use another early round draft pick to bolster the pitching staff in their farm system.

Joey Volchko is a 6’4”, 225-pound right-handed pitcher out of the University of Georgia. On ESPN, Volchko is the 67th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On MLB Pipeline, Volchko is the 73rd-ranked prospect in this draft class.

On the mound, Volchko possesses a four-pitch mix including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. Volchko’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 99 mph. His slider is his best secondary pitch, which sits in the upper-80s. Volchko also throws a changeup and curveball, but he struggles to command those pitches.

During the 2026 season, Volchko made eighteen appearances and starts. He posted an 11-2 record with a 3.68 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, one complete game, 4.3 BB/9, and 119 strikeouts in 95 ⅓ innings pitched. Volchko was named a Third Team All-American by the NCBWA.

Third Round (87th overall)—Peyton Bonds, OF, Rutgers

Slot value: $929,700

With the 87th 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 74th-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On ESPN, Bonds is the 93rd-ranked prospect in this draft class.

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.

Fourth Round (115th overall)—Tyson LeBlanc, SS, Kansas

Slot value: $677,500

With the 115th pick of the 2026 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Tyson LeBlanc. The Marlins grab another college hitter who had a major breakout season in his first season in Division I.

Tyson LeBlanc is a 6’0”, 2o0-pound shortstop out of the University of Kansas. On Baseball America, LeBlanc is the 103rd-ranked prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft class. On MLB Pipeline, LeBlanc is the 130th-ranked prospect in this draft class.

At the plate, LeBlanc has solid bat-to-ball skills and has showcased his power playing for the Kansas Jayhawks. While LeBlanc mostly played shortstop, it’s more likely that he ends up at second or third base at the next level.

During the 2026 season, LeBlanc played and started in all 63 games. LeBlanc slashed .341/.425/.706 with 87 hits, twelve doubles, three triples, 25 home runs, 69 RBIs, eleven stolen bases, and a 1.131 OPS. LeBlanc was named a First Team All-American on Perfect Game and Second Team All-American by D1 Baseball.