The 2023 MLB Draft is finally here, beginning on Sunday and continuing through Tuesday. The Miami Marlins will have one of the earliest picks in each round due to their poor performance during the 2022 season (finished with a 69-93 record, fourth in the NL East).
The Fish hold the tenth overall pick and will have the tenth pick in each subsequent round minus the compensation and competitive balance rounds.
For the third and final Fish On First mock draft, we will simulate the first five rounds—the 10th, 35th, 47th, 78th, 110th, and 146th overall selections Here is the Miami Marlins 2023 MLB Mock Draft 3.0.
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 shortstop prospects in the draft class.
Jacob Gonzalez is a 6’2”, 200-pound shortstop that played for the Ole Miss Rebels. On MLB Pipeline, Gonzalez is the 18th-ranked prospect and the sixth-ranked shortstop in this draft class.
Gonzalez had a great collegiate career in which he was consistently good and helped lead the Rebels to a national championship in 2022. I expect Miami to draft a college bat and Gonzalez seems to be a safe pick here.
Competitive Balance Round A (35th overall)—Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia
With the 35th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Jake Gelof. The Marlins grab one of the best power hitters in all of college baseball.
Jake Gelof is a 6’1”, 195-pound third baseman from the Virginia Cavaliers. On MLB Pipeline, Gelof is the 35th-ranked prospect and the fifth-ranked third baseman in this draft class. He is also the all-time home run leader at Virginia.
Gelof is an aggressive hitter that’s looking to hit and hit for power. He has got plus power potential especially to his pull side. For an aggressive hitter, Gelof doesn’t strike out a ton and drew over 40 walks in his last two seasons.
Second Round (47th overall)—Cameron Johnson, LHP, IMG Academy (FL)
With the 47th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson. The Marlins use their second-rounder on their first pitcher and high school prospect in this draft class.
Cameron Johnson is a 6’5”, 240-pound left-handed pitcher from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. On MLB Pipeline, Johnson is the 42nd-ranked prospect and the third-ranked left-handed pitcher in the draft.
Johnson possesses a four-pitch mix that’s highlighted by his power fastball and a nasty slider. Johnson’s fastball sits 94-96 mph and has touched 98 mph. His slider and curveball were good out pitches, but Johnson has struggled with control and getting a good feel for his changeup.
Third Round (78th overall)—Joey Volchko, RHP, Redwood HS (CA)
With the 78th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Joey Volchko. The Marlins grab their first right-handed pitching prospect and select a high school arm from the west coast.
Joey Volchko is a 6’4”, 210-pound right-handed pitcher from Redwood High School in California. On MLB Pipeline, Volchko is the 80th-ranked prospect and the seventh-ranked prep right-handed pitcher in the draft.
Volchko also possesses a four-pitch mix. Volchko has a plus fastball that sits 92-94 mph and tops out at 96 mph. His slider and curveball are his best secondary pitches. Some scouts have even drawn some comparisons to Noah Snydergaard.
Fourth Round (110th overall)—Michael Carico, C, Davidson
With the 110th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select catcher Michael Carico. Miami uses their fourth-round pick to draft a catcher, which is currently a thin position in the organization.
Michael Carico is a 6’0”, 190-pound catcher who played for the Davidson Wildcats. On MLB Pipeline, Carico is the 110th-ranked prospect and the fourth-ranked catcher in this draft class.
The Davidson backstop didn’t play much this past season as he suffered a broken wrist and only played in 21 games. However, he slashed .350/.514/.688 with 28 hits, six doubles, seven home runs, 17 walks, and a 1.202 OPS. He’s also only a 20-year-old prospect.
Fifth Round (146th overall)—Ethan O’Donnell, OF, Virginia
With the 146th pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select outfielder Ethan O’Donnell. Miami finally drafts an outfielder prospect and grabs another top hitter.
Ethan O’Donnell is a 6’1”, 190-pound outfielder and another Virginia Cavalier. O’Donnell is the 153rd-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and the 78th-ranked prospect on ESPN.
The former Northwestern transfer slashed .354/.448/.587 with 90 hits, eighteen doubles, thirteen home runs, 57 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, and a 1.034 OPS. O’Donnell also projects to play center field at the next level.
Photo courtesy of jake.jjg/Instagram
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