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The 2019 MLB Draft will be the Miami Marlins’ second draft under the Derek Jeter regime. In the first draft, the Fish focused up the middle by drafting outfielder Connor Scott, middle infielder Osiris Johnson and catcher Will Banfield during the early rounds.
In order to acquire even more impact talent this time around, the Marlins should put a special emphasis on scouting their own backyard. They are surrounded by some of the top high school prospects and colleges in the country. The state of Florida is a hot bed for baseball and has produced some of the best players in the game at all levels.
Here are two 2019 MLB draft eligible players from the FSU Seminoles who could hear their names get called by the Marlins.
1. 3B Drew Mendoza
The #1 2019 MLB Draft prospect out of Florida State University is their third baseman. Drew Mendoza has had a nice career at Florida State and is expected to be one of the top collegiate position players in this upcoming draft. As a freshman, Mendoza batted .270 with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. He also made the All-ACC Freshman Team and was a First Team Freshman All-American on Collegiate Baseball. As a sophomore, the third baseman finished the season with a .313 batting average, seventeen doubles, seven home runs and a .931 OPS.
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Over the summer, Mendoza took his talents to the Cape Cod League and played for the Chatman Anglers. He batted .232 with two home runs and 12 RBIs. The Anglers also played in the Cape Cod League playoffs where Mendoza walked five times in four games.
One of Mendoza’s weaknesses is his defense—his fielding percentage in 2018 was .919 and committed 14 errors. Mendoza will likely be moved to first base at the next level, which could be a need for the Fish. Regardless, his bat should carry him through the minor leagues.
According to MLB Pipeline, Drew Mendoza ranks among the top 50 overall draft prospects. The Marlins have three of the top 50 picks next June.
2. LHP Drew Parrish
Drew Parrish is the ace pitcher for the Seminoles. The junior left-handed pitcher has been a key contributor for the Seminoles since stepping foot on campus. In his freshman season, Parrish made 19 appearances posting a 6-3 record with 93 strikeouts in 91 2⁄3 innings pitched. In his sophomore season, he elevated his game with a 5-1 record over 16 starts. He had a 2.52 ERA with 107 innings pitched and struck out 128 batters. Parrish only walked 37 batters and had an opponent batting average of .186. He was named 2018 First Team All-ACC and Second Team All-American on Collegiate Baseball.
Over the summer, Parrish represented his country and pitched for the U.S.A. Collegiate National Team. The FSU star had a very successful summer with the Collegiate National Team. He finished the summer with a 1-0 record and a 0.00 ERA. He started in three games and pitched 10 1⁄3 innings allowing five hits, one walk, no runs and eight strikeouts.
Drew Parrish isn’t the tallest pitcher, but that doesn’t take away anything he does on the mound. His fastball is in the low to mid 90s, which is really good for a pitcher under six feet tall. He has good command on his fastball and his other two off-speed pitches. His best off-speed pitch is his curveball, but also has a solid changeup to go with it.
Parrish will most likely end up getting drafted in the second round. If he falls to the next day of the MLB Draft, the Marlins would have a realistic shot of drafting him in the third or fourth rounds.