The Miami Marlins’ 2026 draft class is only beginning to filter into game action, and for now the early movement is happening almost entirely in Low-A Jupiter. Three position players are already active with the Hammerheads, while the rest of the class remains on the shelf - and none of the pitchers are expected to face minor league competition until 2027.
Jacob Lombard, the club’s first-round pick, has wasted no time getting a feel for pro ball. The 18-year-old shortstop has appeared in 10 games and put together a .194/.362/.361 line, with seven hits, two home runs, seven RBIs, eight walks, eight runs scored, five stolen bases and a .723 OPS. He’s also struck out a lot, posting a 36.2 K% - not exactly a shock for a high school bat facing pitchers who are all older than he is.
Cam Kozeal, taken in the third round out of Arkansas, is also in the mix at Jupiter. He’s hit .214/.313/.405 across 10 games, collecting nine hits, two doubles, two home runs, three RBIs, six walks, six runs scored and a .718 OPS.
Though he was announced as a shortstop on draft day, he hasn’t played there yet. The Hammerheads have kept Lombard and Luis Arana at short, leaving Kozeal to split time between second base and third base.
The newest name in the lineup is seventh-rounder Eric Guevara, who started his pro career last week. In four games, he’s batting .300/.417/.300 with four hits, one RBI, two walks, two runs scored, one stolen base and a .717 OPS. Guevara has gotten one look at shortstop, with his other appearances coming at third base.
Beyond that trio, the class is still largely waiting its turn. Left-hander Ethan Kleinschmit, right-hander Ryan Peterson, outfielder Wessley Roberson, left-hander Trey Beard, right-hander Cole Selvig, first baseman Rintaro Sasaki, third baseman Nic Tolbert, right-handers Zach Peters, Fabio Bundi, Bane Barker, Connor Benge, Tyler Kapa, Colin Linder, Porter Buursema, Duke McCarron, Jackson Mitchell and Joey Lawson, plus outfielder Jatniel McCloud, have not yet played in a minor league game.
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