Marlins Draft Decision Could Shape This Rebuild More Than Fans Realize

Miami Marlins' GM Hector Rodriguez faces a pivotal decision as he finalizes the team's draft strategy, eyeing standout talents from both college and high school ranks.

The Marlins are sitting at No. 14 in Saturday afternoon’s 2026 MLB Draft in Philadelphia, and the board feels wide open. A college bat makes a lot of sense, a college arm is in play, and there’s also a chance an elite high school talent is still there when Miami goes on the clock.

With that in mind, here are five names that look realistic for the Fish.

Chris Hacopian might be the cleanest fit if Miami goes the college-hitter route. The 6’1”, 210-pound middle infielder from Texas A&M started his college career at Maryland and put together a strong 2026 season in the SEC.

Across his career, he posted a .339/.449/.604 slash line, and this spring he hit .319/.405/.578 with 53 hits, ten doubles, eleven home runs, 41 RBIs, 25 walks, and a .983 OPS. Hacopian stands out as one of the best pure hitters in the class, with advanced plate discipline and elite in-zone contact.

He also brings above-average power potential. Defensively, he’s not a shortstop at the next level, but he profiles well at second base and could handle some third base if needed.

If Miami wants to stay on the high school side, left-hander Gio Rojas is the top prep name on this list. The Broward County native is 6’4”, 195 pounds and comes out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a program that has produced MLB names like Anthony Rizzo, Roman Anthony, Jesús Luzardo, and others.

Rojas is the third-ranked prospect on Perfect Game and the top left-handed pitcher in the country. He was a Perfect Game All-American and signed with the University of Miami.

On the mound, he works with a three-pitch mix: a fastball, slider, and changeup. His fastball sits 92-95 mph and touches 98 with outstanding RPMs.

His slider has more of a sweeper look, sitting in the low-80s with spin rates in the 2,600-2,800 rpm range. The changeup isn’t a big part of his arsenal, but he shows a solid feel for it and uses it mostly against right-handed hitters.

AJ Gracia is another college bat who could fit the Marlins at 14. The 6’3”, 195-pound outfielder from Virginia is a junior who spent his first two seasons at Duke before following his old head coach to Charlottesville.

He kept producing for the Cavaliers, and his career line sits at .317/.459/.583. In his lone season at Virginia, he hit .354/.489/.632 with 75 hits, fifteen doubles, fourteen home runs, 48 RBIs, 47 walks, and a 1.121 OPS.

Gracia’s left-handed swing is smooth, and scouts are drawn to the combination of advanced strike-zone control and real power potential. He naturally lifts the ball with backspin, and he projects as a corner outfielder in pro ball.

Ace Reese brings another SEC bat into the mix. The 6’4”, 220-pound junior third baseman from Mississippi State started at Houston before finishing his college run with the Bulldogs, and he has one of the loudest power profiles in the class.

Reese owns a .327/.419/.665 career slash line, and in 2026 he went off for a .336/.432/.721 line with 83 hits, 23 doubles, 24 home runs, 74 RBIs, 41 walks, and a 1.152 OPS. He was a consensus unanimous All-American.

Reese’s power grades as a 60 tool, and his frame is already filled out. The hit tool is more of a question because he can chase, especially against breaking balls.

On defense, third base may not be his long-term home; first base or left field looks more likely.

The last name on the board is South Carolina high school infielder Bo Lowrance, one of the biggest risers in the class. The 6’5”, 200-pound corner infielder from Christ Church Episcopal High School in Greenville is ranked 25th by Perfect Game, second among third basemen nationally, and 21st on MLB Pipeline.

He’s also signed to play at Virginia. Lowrance has a well-rounded profile, with solid bat-to-ball skills even against strong competition.

There’s more power coming as he adds strength to his big frame, and he already shows quality defense at third with a strong arm. Even so, he could eventually grow off the position and end up in right field.

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