2013 MLB Draft: Draft pick profiles of Marlins' likely selections

The Miami Marlins have a few names likely available to them when they come to pick in tonight's first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. When the Marlins' name is called up sixth tonight, a few players will be on the board in whom the team has some interest. But who among them will be selected? To get a feel for who these potential future Marlins will be, I collected a series of scouting reports from around the web with the help of SB Nation's own Marc Normandin. Marc put together a series of scouting report compilations that should help Fish Stripes readers familiarize themselves with tonight's candidates.

Braden Shipley, RHP, Nevada

Shipley is the favorite to be selected according to the latest mock drafts circulating around the Internet. Shipley's name has risen in the rankings as his final strong year in Nevada concluded, but he is firmly in third place in terms of college pitching products, and the Marlins have proclaimed their interest in a college bat this season rather than another pitcher.

Still, the Marlins apparently have a "long-standing interest" in Shipley according to John Sickels of Minor League Ball, so he seems the most likely option if the top five players all get selected before the Marlins are up.

Keith Law, ESPN

He's hit 99 mph but pitches more at 92-95, throwing strikes with an easy, low-effort delivery. His best pitch is his changeup, a plus offering at 83-86 mph with great arm speed and heavy late action on it. His curveball is just average now, 78-80 with some angle to it and plenty of depth, but he has very little feel for the pitch and its break isn't consistent, perhaps due to lack of use.

Allan Simpson, Baseball Prospectus

He can touch the requisite high velocities for a first round prospect, though he generally settles into the low-90s with an under control delivery and starter's approach to navigating opposing lineups, saving his quality secondaries until the second and third trips through the order. He mixes his fastball with a quality mid-80s changeup and a good high-70s curveball that shows a lot of potential.

Clint Frazier, OF, Logansville (Ga.) HS

Frazier is the site's local pick, as Conor Dorney projected him to be the selection in Fish Stripes's mock draft. Frazier has some crazy power and raw, five-tool capability, but he also is raw as a high schooler and has some questions regarding where he will eventually play in the outfield. Also, remember the last Georgia outfielder we drafted?

Frazier currently is in a battle with Austin Meadows as to whom the Fish will select. Fish Stripes suspects Frazier when considering the two Georgia outfielders, thanks to a potentially higher ceiling.

Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball

His hitting ability is very good. It isn't a prototypical approach and he could iron out a few minor things like using his legs a little more, but his talent will let him succeed while he works on these things. He has massive forearms that create incredible bat speed that can launch balls 400' with the flick of his wrists. His power won't be crazy but 25 homers isn't out of the question.

Nick Faleris, Baseball Prospectus

Frazier has the best bat speed in the entire draft class and produces easy plus raw power in-game at the amateur level. His in-game utility will be tested against advanced arms, however, and will hinge on his ability to (1) find consistency in his path to contact, and (2) rein in his sometimes overly-aggresive approach. Currently, Frazier can collapse the back side some when gearing-up to drive the ball. When the bat comes off plane, his bat speed coupled with the slight collapse can lead him to produce top spin off contact, which will limit his carry and negatively affect his power utility.

Colin Moran, 3B, North Carolina

Moran fits the Marlins in two ways:

- He is a college bat, and the Marlins apparently are very interested in one this season
- He is a third baseman who is close to major league ready, and that happens to be one of the Marlins' weakest positions.

Moran was a spectacular college hitter and profiles into a good one in the majors, but his issues are that he lacks an elite ceiling like his fellow third base prospect Kris Bryant. Moran also is unlikely to be available to the Marlins at this spot, but if there is one of the five top talents in this draft who falls past the fifth pick, it is likely to be him.

Nick Faleris, Baseball Prospectus

Brings to the table: A potentially plus hit tool and third base profile. Moran does a good job of matching pitch plane with his barrel, allowing him to find the ball consistently. He’s still a slightly more consistent hitter with metal than he is with wood, though he hit a solid .314 in the offense-heavy Cape Cod Baseball League this summer. At his best, he is a tough out at the plate with a knack for squaring-up the ball and provides steady, if unspectacular, glove work at third.

Keith Law, ESPN

At the plate, Moran has a great eye and generates good bat speed, with solid extension through the zone for average power or a tick above. He takes a long stride forward in the box but keeps his weight back, also keeping his hands very deep, with good hip rotation as well.

It's not a pretty swing, and it's not that consistent -- his hands come set in a different spot from swing to swing, and on some swings his front side goes soft (where he rolls over his front foot). He must have extremely strong wrists as well, because he's a little late getting the barrel of the bat into the zone but still manages to make a lot of hard contact, at least at this level, driving a ball to each gap in Wednesday night's game.

Austin Meadows, OF, Grayson (Ga.) HS

Meadows versus Frazier is a rivalry because the two represent very similar toolsy high school outfielders. It's also a rivalry because they both played very close to each other in Georgia. It's so totally a rivalry because the Marlins might pick either one! RIVALRY!

Again, there is disagreement between how much of a ceiling the equally raw Meadows has versus Frazier, and that may be the difference between the two. Most sources rank Frazier a little higher.

Matt Garrioch, Minor League Ball

His size combined with his bat speed makes it easy to think that power will come. His swing creates good loft and he could be a 30 HR guy if he reaches his potential. Contact is where I'm not sold. In my viewings, he hasn't squared the ball up consistently. He hits the ball weakly or pops it up frequently. When he does square it up, it flies but it didn't happen as often as I'd like from a guy slated to be a top 10 pick.

Jonathan Mayo, MiLB.com

Meadows has five-tool potential, a tremendous athlete who can do it all on the baseball field. He can run, has an outstanding arm and plenty of bat as he progresses. A left-handed hitter, Meadows has an ideal frame that should add some strength as he matures, which could lead to more power.

Meadows has more projection and upside than Frazier has, and there have been some scouts who would've liked to see a bit more performance from him this spring.

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Who will the Marlins select in tonight's 2013 MLB draft? The only way to find out is to stay tuned to Fish Stripes for all of your Marlins draft coverage needs!