Marlins Draft Recap: 2007

In this Marlins Draft Recap series, I will break down the last 10 drafts for the Miami Marlins and look at the best and worst picks as we get ready for the 2017 MLB Draft.

In 2007, the Marlins picked up one of their franchise cornerstones, but also missed on their first round pick. Here’s how it all went down.

First Round: 3B Matt Dominguez (Pick #12) - Chatsworth High School (CA)

Grade: C-

Stats with Marlins: 17 Games, 48 PA, .244 AVG, .625 OPS, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Where he is now: Pawtucket Red Sox (Boston Red Sox Triple-A)

2017 Stats: 35 Games, 133 PA, .220 AVG, .613 OPS, 4 HR, 20 RBI

After struggling in the minors for a few years, Dominguez finally appeared in the big leagues with the Marlins as a September call-up in 2011. After hitting .244 in 17 games, the third baseman started the 2012 season in Triple-A, but was eventually traded to the Astros in July for Carlos Lee.

Dominguez was better with Houston, and had a little more than two productive big league seasons there. He even hit .241 with 21 home runs in 152 games in 2013. But after a rough end to 2014, Dominguez was placed on waivers, and has only appeared in five major league games since then.

Who they should have drafted: OF Jason Heyward (Pick #14)

Second Round: OF Giancarlo Stanton (Pick #76) - Notre Dame High School (CA)

Grade: A

Stats with Marlins: 870 Games, 3612 PA, .266 AVG, .894 OPS, 219 HR, 570 RBI

2017 Stats: 43 Games, 184 PA, .261 AVG, .859 OPS, 11 HR, 30 RBI

Giancarlo Stanton was obviously by far the best Marlins 2007 draft pick, and has been one of the franchise’s best picks in the last 10 years. Stanton, despite some issues with injuries and strikeouts, continues to produce at the plate for the Marlins.

No matter how you may feel about his production or his contract, the franchise put full confidence in Stanton in the form of a 13-year, $325 million contract.

Who they could have drafted: 1B Freddie Freeman (Pick #78)

Third Round: C Jameson Smith (Pick #106) - Fresno City College

Grade: F

After struggling at Clemson during his freshman year, Jameson Smith transferred to Fresno City College and had a dominant sophomore season. He hit .380 with nine home runs and a 1.111 OPS in his only season there before heading for the draft.

The Marlins, who were looking for the catcher of the future, drafted Smith in the third round hoping his community college production could translate to the pros. However, Smith never made it past Single-A, hitting only .233 with a .651 OPS in 458 plate appearances during three minor league seasons.

Who they should have drafted: RHP Matt Harvey (Pick #118)

Best Value Pick: RHP Steve Cishek (Round 5, Pick #166) - Carson-Newman College (TN)

Grade: A

Stats with Marlins: 284 Appearances, 289.2 IP, 2.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 94 SV, 9.7 K/9

Where he is now: Seattle Mariners

2017 MLB Stats: 3 Appearances, 1.2 IP, 16.20 ERA, 2 K

After having minor league success, Steve Cishek first appeared in the majors in 2010, but only for three games. However, he was back in the majors in 2011 and pitched to a 2.63 ERA in 45 appearances. Because of the promising 2011, Cishek was given the closer role in 2012, and he picked up 91 saves over the next three-and-a-half seasons.

The Marlins were not in contention during the final season of Cishek’s contract in 2015, so they traded him to the Cardinals at the deadline for current set-up man Kyle Barraclough. The Marlins were able to get Cishek’s best stuff for almost four seasons and then trade him for a younger arm to replace him.

Surprisingly, the Marlins handled the Steve Cishek situation perfectly, and the moves they made actually helped the team. It sometimes feels weird when that happens.