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16. Austin Brice, RHP
Drafted: 2009 9th round from Northwood HS in Pittsboro, NC
Age: 20 Height: 6'4'' Weight: 205 lbs.
Austin Brice is very raw, but his plus fastball and potentially plus curveball are extremely promising. Despite being drafted almost four years ago, Brice is still fairly young and he has time to develop. After finding some success at Greensboro last year, he could start at High-A Jupiter in 2013. However, due to some control issues (5.58 BB/9 in 2012), Miami want him to get some more innings in the South Atlantic League. If Brice is able to throw more strikes, fix a few things with his delivery, and develop his changeup, he could very well turn into a #3 starter.
17. Kolby Copeland, OF
Drafted: 2012 3rd round from Parkway HS, Louisiana
Age: 19 Height: 6'0'' Weight: 190 lbs.
Kolby Copeland is one of the more talented athletes in the Marlins system, but he has a long ways to go before he is mature enough, both off and on the field, for Major League Baseball. Copeland spent the majority of his 2012 season in the Gulf Coast League, where he drew mostly positive reports. With a strong arm and great bat speed hitting from the left side of the plate, Copeland could turn into one of the Marlins top prospects if he continues to hit in 2013. Unfortunately, Copeland refused to take a MLB drug test so he will miss the first 50 games of the 2013 season.
18. Avery Romero, SS/2B
Drafted: 2012 3rd round from Pedro Menendez HS, Florida
Age: 19 Height: 5'11'' Weight: 195 lbs.
Avery Romero demanded and received a signing bonus significantly over slot to sign with Miami. Romero was considered a hard to sign prospect in the 2012 draft because he was in-line for a starting job as the shortstop at the University of Florida. Nonetheless, the Marlins were able to sign him, and although it's still very early, he looks to be well worth the money. Even though Romero will probably end up at second or third down the road, he is already a great hitter who appears to be just starting to tap into his power. Romero is years away from Double-A, let alone the majors, but he could potentially be a hitter capable of hitting .300 with 15-20 HR per season.