The 2023 MLB Draft is barely a month away as it begins on Sunday, July 9. The Miami Marlins have one of the earliest picks in each round due to their poor performance during the 2022 season.
The Fish finished the 2022 season with a 69-93 record (fourth in the NL East). They hold the tenth overall pick and will have the tenth pick in each subsequent round minus the compensation and competitive balance rounds.
For the first mock draft, we’ll only simulate three rounds—the 10th, 35th, 47th, and 78th overall selections—but will continue to expand the exercise as the draft date approaches.
Here is the Miami Marlins 2023 MLB Mock Draft 1.0.
First Round (10th overall)—Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss
With the tenth pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Jacob Gonzalez. The Marlins grab one of the top collegiate hitting prospects in this draft class. He also filled a position of need for the Fish.
Jacob Gonzalez is a 6’2”, 200-pound left-handed hitting shortstop from the University of Mississippi. On MLB Pipeline, Gonzalez is the eighth-ranked prospect and the second-ranked shortstop in the draft.
During his collegiate career, Gonzalez has been a highly productive hitter with a good mix of contact and power. He has a career slash line of .319/.427/.561 with 225 hits, 43 doubles, 40 home runs, 158 RBIs, and a .988 OPS.
Gonzalez would be a really good option for the Marlins with the tenth overall pick. He’s a very talented hitter who has competed against some of the toughest pitchers in college baseball. The Fish have a need at shortstop moving forward and Gonzalez could be a candidate to lock down that position.
Competitive Balance Round A (35th overall)—Nolan Schanuel, 1B, FAU
With the 35th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select first baseman Nolan Schanuel. The Marlins grab an elite power-hitting first baseman/outfielder not too far away from home.
Nolan Schanuel is a 6’4”, 210-pound left-handed hitting first baseman from Florida Atlantic University. On MLB Pipeline, Schanuel is the 39th-ranked prospect and the second-ranked first baseman in the draft.
During his collegiate career, Schanuel has been a monster in the middle of FAU’s lineup. However, he had a major breakout season in 2023 and was even ranked as the #1 collegiate first baseman in the country. On the season, Schanuel slashed .447/.615/.868 with 88 hits, eighteen doubles, nineteen home runs, 64 RBIs, 71 walks, and a 1.483 OPS.
Schanuel would be a huge steal for the Marlins if he’s still on the board. There have been some mock drafts that think Schanuel could sneak into the first round. He has a plus hitting tools and an advanced approach at the plate.
Second Round (47th overall)—Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS (VA)
With the 47th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Jonny Farmelo. The Marlins grab their first high school prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft
Jonny Farmelo is a 6’2” 205-pound left-handed hitting outfielder from Westlake High School in Virginia. On MLB Pipeline, Farmelo is the 48th-ranked prospect and the eighth-ranked outfielder in the draft.
Farmelo is a talented ballplayer who projects to play center field at the next level. He’s a good contact hitter with elite speed and promising defensive tools. On Perfect Game, he’s one of the fastest high school players in the country as he was clocked running a 6.34 60-yard dash.
Jonny Farmelo is also signed to play college baseball at the University of Virginia.
Third Round (78th overall)—Ty Floyd, RHP, LSU
With the 78th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Ty Floyd. The Marlins grab their first pitching prospect from one of the top programs in college baseball.
Ty Floyd is a 6’2”, 195-pound right-handed pitcher from the LSU Tigers. On MLB Pipeline, Floyd is the 78th-ranked prospect and the tenth-ranked collegiate right-handed pitcher in the draft.
Floyd possesses a four-pitch mix that includes a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. Floyd’s fastball is his best pitch as it sits at 91-94 mph and tops out at 97 mph with a high spin rate.
His slider is his best secondary pitch as it sits in the low-80s and gets some swing-and-miss. Floyd has a good feel for the curveball but doesn’t really use his changeup much.
The Marlins have done a terrific job of developing pitchers and Floyd fits the mold of what the Marlins look for in a pitching prospect. He has a plus fastball and breaking pitches, but lacks a changeup. The Fish can help develop that offspeed pitch and make him into a starter.
Featured image courtesy of jake.jjg/Instagram
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