2021 Miami Marlins Mock Draft 2.0

The 2021 Major League Baseball Draft will be held beginning on July 11. The Miami Marlins will have the 16th overall pick in the draft after finishing with a 31-29 record last season. Due to an agreement made during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s MLB Draft will be 20 rounds (shorter than usual but longer than last year’s draft). The Marlins will have 21 picks in this draft which includes the first Competitive Balance Round A pick.

Just like in my previous mock draft a month ago, we will focus on the first five rounds. As we get closer to the draft, we may expand as the focus on other top high school and college players that could hear their names get called.

Here is the Miami Marlins 2021 Mock Draft 2.0.

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First Round (16th Overall) – Matt McLain, SS, UCLA

With the 16th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the Miami Marlins select shortstop Matt McLain. The Miami Marlins continue their trend of drafting college players early in the draft with the star out of UCLA.

At 5’10” 175 pounds, McLain isn’t the biggest prospect but his skillset is one of the best in this draft class. McLain is one of the top contact hitters and also has good speed and a strong arm to play centervfield if he’s unable stick at shortstop. McLain’s power numbers are also at an all-time high for himself as he has homered more times this season than in his two previous seasons at UCLA combined.

During the 2021 season, McLain has been really productive for the Bruins. McLain is slashing .326/.416/.580 with 45 hits, seven doubles, eight home runs, 26 RBIs, five stolen bases and a .995 OPS.

One thing that makes McLain such a coveted prospect is his hit tool. MLB Pipeline has it as a 60 in the 20-80 Scouting Scale. The Marlins have could use another bat in their farm system especially since McLain has a better hit tool than most of their current top hitting prospects. If the Marlins take McLain, I’d expect him to play second base or center field in the future.

Competitive Balance A Round (31st Overall) – Matheu Nelson, C, Florida State

With their Competitive Balance A Round pick, the Miami Marlins select catcher Matheu Nelson. The Marlins answer their catching need as they select one of the top power hitters in the 2021 MLB Draft class.

Nelson is a junior at Florida State University and has been on an absolute tear for the Seminoles this season. Nelson is slashing 339/.449/.868 with 41 H, 10 2B, 18 HR, 53 RBI and a 1.317 OPS.

His 18 home runs and 53 runs batted in actually lead the country. Besides his power numbers, Nelson is also a solid catcher behind the plate. While he’s inconsistent at receiving, Nelson does possess a very strong arm that neutralizes the running game.

The Marlins have serious long-term questions at the catcher position and use their second pick to grab one of the top power hitters and catchers in this draft. Nelson should be a welcomed addition to the Marlins farm system if he can continue to hit like he has for FSU this season.

Second Round (52nd Overall) – Chase Burns, RHP, Beech HS (TN)

With the second round pick, the Miami Marlins select right-handed pitcher Chase Burns. Their first high school pick in this mock, Burns is one of the top power arms in the draft.

Chase Burns is one of the top high school players in the country with his electric fastball. Burns has a four-pitch mix but his fastball is his best pitch. Burns has a mid-90s fastball that usually tops out at 98 mph but has touched 100. His upper 70s curveball and mid-80s cutter/slider are considered plus pitches but his changeup needs lots of work.

At 6’4” 215 pounds, Burns has great size and is a big, strong athletic built pitcher. On Perfect Game, Burns is the 14th-ranked prospect and the fourth-ranked right-handed pitcher in the country. He’s also the top ranked high school in Tennessee. Chase Burns is signed to play college baseball at the University of Tennessee.

Third Round (88th Overall) – Wes Kath, 3B, Desert Mountain HS (AZ)

With their third round pick, the Miami Marlins select third baseman Wes Kath. The Fish grab another infield prospect who has drawn comparisons to former local high school prospects like Coby Mayo and Triston Casas.

Wes Kath is a 6’3” 200 pound third baseman with really good bat-to-ball skills. He’s a left-handed-hitting corner infielder that currently plays shortstop in high school but will likely move to third at the next level.

On Perfect Game, Wes Kath is the 39th-ranked prospect and the second-ranked third baseman in the country. He’s also the second-ranked prospect out of Arizona and top hitting prospect in his state. Wes Kath signed to play college baseball at Arizona State University.

Fourth Round (118th Overall) – Joe Rock, LHP, Ohio

With their fourth round pick, the Miami Marlins select left-handed pitcher Joe Rock.

Joe Rock is a tall, skinny left-handed pitcher out of Ohio University with a three-pitch mix. Rock’s top two pitches are his fastball and slider. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and tops out at 95 with riding life. Rock’s slider sits in the mid-80s which kind of acts like a slurve. Rock also has an effective changeup that misses bats and gets weak contact.

At 6’6” 200 pounds, Rock has plenty of room to fill in his extra-long frame. During the 2021 season, Rock has a made nine starts for the Bobcats. He has 7-1 record with a 2.09 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 12.1 K/9 and three complete games.

Spencer Morris provides more insight on Rock below.

Fifth Round (149th Overall) – Jacob Young, OF, Florida

With their fifth round pick, the Miami Marlins select Jacob Young, a speedy outfielder of the University of Florida.

Jacob Young has had an excellent career at the University of Florida since his arrival on campus. During his collegiate career, Young has a career slash line of .339/.416/.448 with an .887 OPS. He also having another very productive season for the Gators in his junior season.

Young is slashing .323/.411/.463 with 53 hits, 13 doubles, two home runs, 12 stolen bases and an .874 OPS. The 6’0” 175 pound outfielder is tied for first in the SEC with Vanderbilt’s Carter Young for doubles. He is also second in runs scored and fourth in hits.

If the Marlins take Young in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, they are getting a prospect who has elite speed and can play every position in the outfield. He’s also one of the best contact hitters in the SEC and has had plenty of success against conference pitching. The one negative while watching Young is his lack of power, but he’s still a player teams have kept their eye on for a couple of years.