The 2023 MLB Draft is fast approaching on Sunday, July 9. The Miami Marlins will 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 second mock draft, we’ll only simulate four rounds—the 10th, 35th, 47th, 78th, and 110th overall selections—but will continue to expand the exercise as the draft date approaches. Here is the Miami Marlins 2023 MLB Mock Draft 2.0.
First Round (10th overall)—Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)
With the tenth pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Noble Meyer. The Marlins grab one of the top pitching prospects in the draft class with the selection of Noble Meyer
Noble Meyer is a 6’5”, 185-pound right-handed pitcher out of Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon. On MLB Pipeline, Meyer is the eighth-ranked prospect and the #1 right-handed high school pitcher in this draft class.
Meyer has a three-pitch mix that is highlighted by his mid-to-upper 90s fastball. His fastball sits 95-97 mph and has touched the triple digits in his senior season. Meyer’s slider is his best secondary pitch and he also has a good feel for his changeup.
Meyer is a projectable arm who has room for growth as he starts to fill in his large frame. The Marlins have done a terrific job of developing pitching prospects and Meyer fits the mold that Marlins scouts look for.
Competitive Balance Round A (35th overall)—Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
With the 35th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Brayden Taylor. The Marlins grab one of the best power hitters in all of college baseball in Brayden Taylor.
Brayden Taylor is a 6’1”, 180-pound, left-handed-hitting third baseman from Texas Christian University. On MLB Pipeline, Taylor is the 15th-ranked prospect and the third-ranked third baseman in the draft.
During his collegiate career, Taylor led the TCU Horned Frogs all the way to the College World Series. Taylor had a monster junior season as he slashed .306/.430/.635 with fifteen doubles, 23 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a 1.066 OPS.
Taylor would be a steal for the Marlins if he’s still on the board after the first round. Taylor is a quality bat and he’s also a good defensive infielder. He’d be a great option for the Fish with their 35th overall pick.
Second Round (47th overall)—Joe Whitman, LHP, Kent State
With the 47th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select left-handed pitcher Joe Whitman. The Marlins draft another pitcher and grab a left-handed pitcher that had a major breakout season.
Joe Whitman is a 6’5”, 200-pound left-handed pitcher from Kent State University in Ohio. On MLB Pipeline, Whitman is the 37th-ranked prospect and the third-ranked left-handed pitcher in the draft.
Whitman spent his first two seasons at Purdue but had two awful seasons pitching for the Boilermakers. Whitman entered the Transfer Portal and got a fresh start pitching for the Kent State Golden Flames.
Whitman had a major breakout season and was named the MAC Pitcher of the Year. Whitman posted a 9-2 record in fifteen starts. He also had a 2.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 11.1 K/9, and 100 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. Whitman has a low-90s fastball that can reach 96 mph. He also has two plus off-speed pitches with a wipeout slider that he can locate well.
Third Round (78th overall)—Ryan Lasko, OF, Rutgers
With the 78th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Ryan Lasko. The Marlins grab their first outfielder prospect, a power hitter with five-tool potential.
Ryan Lasko is a 6’0”, 190-pound outfielder who played for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. On MLB Pipeline, Lasko is the 89th-ranked prospect and the tenth-ranked collegiate outfielder in the draft.
Lasko was a top high school prospect that signed with Rutgers and immediately earned a starting role with the Scarlet Knights. In his three seasons at Rutgers, Lasko slashed .314/.408/.580 with 201 hits, 47 doubles, 38 home runs, 135 RBIs, and a .988 OPS.
The Marlins lack center field depth and Lasko would be an excellent option for the Fish. Lasko was an excellent defensive centerfielder at Rutgers and could do the same thing in the Marlins’ farm system. He has five-tool potential and could end up being a top player in the draft class if he continues to develop as a hitter.
Fourth Round (110th overall)—Alex Mooney, SS, Duke
With the 110th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Alex Mooney. The Marlins draft their first middle infielder out of Duke.
Alex Mooney is a 6’1”, 195-pound shortstop who played for the Duke Blue Devils. On MLB Pipeline, Mooney is the 114th-ranked prospect and the ninth-ranked collegiate shortstop in the draft.
Mooney only spent two seasons at Duke, but he is eligible to be selected in this class because he’ll be 21 years old when the draft comes around. In his two seasons at Duke, Mooney slashed .305/.416/.454 with 141 hits, 30 doubles, three triples, eleven home runs, 68 RBIs, and a .870 OPS.
Mooney is a versatile defensive player that can play all around the infield. He has a strong arm and solid range in the infield. He’s a solid hitting prospect and would be a good addition to Miami’s farm system.
Photo courtesy of n0ble.meyer/Instagram
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