Marlins links, 6/5/18: Marlins take 3 prep players, MLB Draft Day 2, new podcast episode

Marlins went back to high school

With three picks on the first day of the MLB draft, the Marlins focused on prep players. They selected Connor Scott at No. 13 overall, an athletic outfielder from Plant High School in Tampa. Scott is from the same program that produced current Astros top prospect Kyle Tucker.

In the second round, they drafted shortstop Osiris Johnson. The 17-year-old starred at the same California high school as former Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis and All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Johnson is Rollins’ second cousin.

Using their competitive balance pick (69th overall), the Marlins completed their night with Will Banfield, a catcher from Georgia. Banfield was seen as the best defensive player at his position, but slid in the draft because of his strong college commitment to Vanderbilt. Convincing him to sign would be a steal for the Fish, considering that the farm system is lacking in impactful catcher prospects.

For more information, check out our draft roundup. That stream will update throughout the next couple days.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of O than I am now”

Rollins spoke to AP writer Janie McCauley about his cousin’s intense commitment to baseball. Johnson himself also credits Rollins for being a supportive and positive influence on him.

Gary Denbo has a “type”

All of these early selections play up the middle of the field, and that’s no coincidence. New Marlins VP of scouting and player development Gary Denbo wanted talented athletes who, even in a worst-case scenario, would be able to hold their own defensively at a corner spot. Denbo was successful in building a strong system with the Yankees, so there’s hope that those good habits will translate here. The draft resumes with Day 2 at 1:00pm airing on MLB Network and streaming on MLB.com.

Fish Bites episode 3

The Fish Stripes podcast has a new episode out for you. Host Aram Leighton and newly minted managing editor Ely Sussman discuss a number of topics from the draft, the depth in the Marlins farm system, and some potential trade deadline ideas.

25th anniversary softball game rosters!

Who’s still got some game all these years later? Find out on Sunday.

Courtesy of Marlins Communications

Facing a familiar foe tonight

Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

After a much-needed off day, the Marlins are back in action against Marcell Ozuna and the St. Louis Cardinals. José Ureña will be on the mound, trying to win his first game of the season and halt Miami’s current six-game losing streak. After a rough start to the season, he’s settled down somewhat and has found a little groove. Unfortunately, the offense hasn't been able to provide enough runs for him.

Carlos Martinez will pitch for the Cardinals. He’s enjoying a successful season so far with a 3-2 record and a 1.62 ERA. Martinez had been on the disabled list with a strained right lat muscle.

First pitch is at 8:15pm.