Marlins Draft Recap: 2013

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.

The verdict isn’t fully out on the 2013 Draft for the Marlins, but only one pick has made it to the major leagues so far.

First Round: 3B Colin Moran (Pick #6) - North Carolina

Grade: C

Colin Moran dominated the ACC for three years, hitting over .335 in every college season and even hitting 13 home runs his junior year. Those stats, coupled with his defensive ability, pegged him as arguably the second-best infielder in the draft behind Kris Bryant.

The Marlins took Moran with the No. 6 overall pick and he continued to hit in Single-A over the next year, slashing .299/.354/.442 in his first 42 professional games. However, the Marlins decided to move Moran at the 2014 deadline, sending him, along with Jake Marisnick, to the Houston Astros for Jarred Cosart and Enrique Hernandez.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Moran has since made 25 plate appearances in the big leagues for the Astros, but has only picked up three hits. He is currently hitting .268 with nine home runs at Triple-A Fresno.

As for the return in the trade, Cosart made 27 starts for the Marlins over three seasons, pitching to a 3.82 ERA and striking out 5.8 batters per nine innings. Hernandez got less of a chance, reaching base 12 times in only 45 plate appearances with Miami. The reason this trade wasn’t too successful is because both pieces were eventually traded again. Hernandez was sent to the Dodgers in 2014 and Cosart to the Padres in 2016.

Who they should have drafted: OF Aaron Judge (Pick #32)

Competitive Balance A (First Round): LHP Matt Krook (Pick #35) - St. Ignatius Prep - Did not sign

The Marlins used their extra first round pick on left-hander Matt Krook, but the team found an issue in the high-schooler’s elbow, causing them to reduce his potential signing bonus. Because of that, Krook decided to instead go to school and sign with the Oregon Ducks.

Krook’s first season at Oregon in 2014 (8 starts, 1.79 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 60 K) was dominant, but it was cut short by Tommy John Surgery that also cost him the entire 2015 season. Whatever the Marlins found, they were obviously right to be cautious.

The lefty returned in 2016 for his sophomore season at Oregon, but he was not the same. Krook posted a 5.03 ERA and walked almost as many batters as he struck out in 13 starts for the Ducks. He decided to forgo his final two seasons and leave for the draft, and was this time selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco Giants.

Krook has pitched to a 6.64 ERA and 1.86 WHIP so far this season in Single-A as he tries to find the stuff he had before the surgery.

Who they should have drafted: RHP Corey Knebel (Pick #39)

Second Round: RHP Trevor Williams (Pick #44) - Arizona State

Grade: C-

Coming off of back-to-back dominant campaigns at Arizona State, the Marlins selected Trevor Williams in the second round. Williams made a jump in the minor leagues every year, with his ERA never rising above 3.80.

However, in 2015, the Marlins made a confusing move by trading Williams (who was then in Triple-A) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Richard Mitchell, who was pitching in rookie ball. It was later revealed that trade was a compensation deal for the Marlins hiring pitching guru Jim Benedict away from the Pirates.

Benedict was instrumental in developing Pittsburgh’s young pitching, and the Marlins made what looked like a very unbalanced trade because of that.

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

Williams has since made it to the big leagues with the Pirates and has made 12 appearances this season (six of them starts), pitching to a 4.57 ERA and 4.39 FIP in 43.1 innings. He could have been a part of the Marlins future rotation, but the instead did help bring in Benedict.

Who they should have drafted: C Chance Sisco (Pick #61)

Best Value Pick: SS J.T. Riddle (Round 13, Pick #382) - Kentucky

Known as a solid hitter and a good defender at Kentucky, the Marlins selected J.T. Riddle in the 13th round after already taking a shortstop with the sixth overall pick. After rising through the minors with doubles and defense, Riddle finally got his shot with the Marlins this season after Martin Prado, Miguel Rojas and Adeiny Hechavarria all headed to the disabled list.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Riddle so far has not disappointed. He is hitting .271 in 116 plate appearances and his first career home run was a walk off that already put his name into Miami history. Now, Riddle is getting consistent at-bats and making a strong case to become the Marlins starting shortstop if and when the team moves on from Hechavarria.