Marlins Draft Recap: 2014

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.

There’s still time to determine whether the 2014 Draft was a good one, but at this point, it seems like the Marlins had more success in the later rounds.

First Round: RHP Tyler Kolek (Pick #2) - Shepherd HS (TX)

Grade: B-

The Marlins took Tyler Kolek with the second overall pick because they loved his upside and the velocity on his fastball coming out of high school.

Over his first two seasons at rookie ball and Single-A, Tyler Kolek made 33 starts and pitched to a 4.55 ERA. It wasn’t exactly the results the Marlins were hoping for in the No. 2 overall pick, but injury may have been the reason.

Kolek underwent Tommy John Surgery before the 2016, and he has not pitched since. It’s been a struggle for the righty as he tries to get back to the mound, but many pitchers get even better after Tommy John Surgery, as the operation has become a regular thing in the game. But, if Kolek can’t recover properly, he could go down as another bust on the long list of failed Miami first round draft picks, especially since MLB.com has him ranked as Miami’s second best prospect.

Who they should have drafted: RHP Aaron Nola (Pick #7)

Competitive Balance Round A: C Blake Anderson (Pick #36) - West Lauderdale HS (MS)

Grade: D

With the pick the Marlins got for not signing Matt Krook the year before, Miami took high school catcher Blake Anderson.

The consensus was that the Marlins took Anderson too early, and he struggled at the plate in his first two minor league seasons, hitting below .200. Then, in 2016, Anderson went down with a scary shoulder injury.

The injury ended up being a torn labrum, and Anderson hasn’t played a game since then. So, both 2014 Miami first round picks have since sustained major injuries. It’s not a good feeling for the Fish.

Who they should have drafted: 1B A.J. Reed (Pick #42)

Second Round: SS Justin Twine (Pick #43) - Falls City HS (TX)

Grade: C-

The Marlins took another high school player in the second round, selecting shortstop Justin Twine. The infielder hit .229 in his initial season in rookie ball, and his stats have basically looked like that since then.

Twine is now in Single-A with the Greensboro Grasshoppers for the third straight season, with the chance of promotion continuing to look less likely. The defense has always been there for the Texas native, but the bat has yet to come around, as he is batting just .178 with 56 strikeouts this season.

However, MLB.com still has Twine ranked as Miami’s No. 26 overall prospect because he is only 21 years old and still has time to develop into a player that was worth a second round pick.

Who they should have drafted: 1B Sam Travis (Pick #67)

Third Round: 3B Brian Anderson (Pick #76) - Arkansas

Grade: A-

Since he was drafted, Brian Anderson has played for the every Marlins minor league team between rookie ball and Double-A. The good thing for him is that he has hit the ball at every level.

Anderson hit .265 with 11 home runs between Single-A and Double-A in 2016, and was actually being taken into consideration for an Opening Day major league roster spot after Martin Prado went down with an injury. Anderson, however, settled in at Double-A and is slashing .243/.333/.440 with 10 home runs this season.

The former Razorback is ranked the Marlins’ third best prospect by MLB.com, and Miami hopes he will be the team’s third baseman when Prado’s time with the FIsh is up.

Other Noteworthy Selections:

OF Stone Garrett (Round 8, Pick #227) - George Ranch HS (TX) - No. 7 Prospect

2017 Stats (Single-A Jupiter): 229 PA, .193 AVG, .247 OBP, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 78 K, 5 SB

Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

LHP Dillon Peters (Round 10, Pick #287) - Texas - No. 4 Prospect

2017 Stats (Double-A Jacksonville): 3 Starts, 12.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 0.833 WHIP, 13 K, 1 BB