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MLB Draft 2014: Reactions to Miami Marlins' first day draft picks

The Miami Marlins selected Tyler Kolek, Blake Anderson, and Justin Twine in the MLB draft on Thursday night. Here are some reactions from around the league.

By Scott Gelman
Rich Schultz

-Miami likes the heat, drafts fireballer Kolek at No. 2 | marlins.com: News

The Marlins really did dig deep in the heart of Texas to find perhaps the next great power pitcher from the Lone Star State. With the second overall pick in Thursday's First-Year Player Draft, the Marlins selected Tyler Kolek from Shepherd, Texas -- population of less than 2,500.

-Tyler Kolek: Prospect Profile for Miami Marlins' 1st-Round Pick | Bleacher Report

Kolek is best compared to right-hander Josh Beckett at the same age, as he's a country-strong, durable right-hander from Texas with tremendous arm strength and the chance to one day lead a starting rotation.

-Miami Marlins take high-school righty Tyler Kolek with second pick in draft | FOX Sports on MSN

ght-hander Tyler Kolek would make a three-hour roundtrip drive three days a week to work out, a dedication to his craft that caught the attention of the Miami Marlins organization. Kolek grew up on a cattle ranch in the small town of Shepherd, Texas, but Thursday night he became the Marlins' selection as the second overall pick in the 2014 draft. "Kid worked all his life," said Stan Meek, Miami's vice president of scouting. "I think he has a lot of humility, which is a great character trait for a young man in our business. That says a lot about his character and how good he wants to be."

-Video: 2014 Draft: Twine, SS | MLB.com

Justin Twine, who also starred in football and track, stands out more for his athleticism than his baseball skills at this point

-Eagle signee drafted by Marlins | Southern Miss Sports

Blake Anderson, a Southern Miss signee who just wrapped up his prep career at West Lauderdale, became the first Mississippian to be selected in this year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Thursday night. Anderson was taken with the 36th overall pick in the Competitive Balance A round by the Miami Marlins.

-HC3 Cold Hard Sports - Marlins Go Outside the Box, Select Kolek

Brady Aiken came off the board early, as the Astros snatched him up with the first overall pick.  That left the Marlins with three options; they could either take developed college pitcher Carlos Rodon from North Carolina State, prep fireballer Tyler Kolek, or a hitter. Carlos Rodon looked like he was the perfect fit.  He is a dominant lefty, and he also has Cuban in his blood.  The Marlins are located near Little Havanah and they have a ton of Cuban followers.  Rodon was born in Miami, and it seemed that was the storybook ending. The Marlins went against the grain, though, and selected Kolek.  The monster right-hander from Shepherd, Texas will fit well in the Marlins farm system, and should be able to move up the minor league system in a hurry.

-Miami Marlins draft Texas fireballer Tyler Kolek - Sun Sentinel

The last time the Miami Marlins had the second overall pick in baseball's amateur draft they selected a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from rural Texas in 1999. All Josh Beckett did was help them win the World Series in 2003, pitching a shutout in the clinching victory. The Marlins are banking on another strong-armed Texan after selecting Tyler Kolek with the second pick in the annual talent grab Thursday.

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Miami Marlins 2014 MLB Draft coverage

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