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The Miami Marlins added 21 young prospects, 14 of them being pitchers, with the conclusion of the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Gulliver Prep prospect Jacob Lombard headlines Miami's draft haul, as he was the 14th selection in the first round. The Marlins are part of the Lombard baseball history, as their rookie shortstop is the son of Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr. and the younger brother of George Lombard Jr., who is in the New York Yankees farm system.
Lombard is a high-risk, high-reward pick for the Marlins. He fell to the team at 14 because of his hitting concerns, but ESPN MLB expert David Schoenfield believes he can be the steal of the draft should he improve his hitting ability.
Miami made four other selections with its 52nd, 71st, 87th and 115th picks.
Kleinsmith was the first pitcher selection for the Marlins in the second round. The left-hander started 15 games last season for Oregon State, posting a 9-2 record and 3.74 ERA.
He equaled his career-high (12 strikeouts) against Mercer on March 28. Kleinsmith was named to the ABCA All-America Third Team and ABCA All-Region First Team in 2025.
Peterson continued the pitcher trend for the Marlins in the Competitive Balance Round B. He was the 79th-ranked prospect in the MLB Pipeline's Top 150 prospects.
The right-hander appeared in 15 games for Sam Houston State and finished the season with a 7-8 record. He recorded 105 strikeouts on the year, including a season-high 11 strikeouts against Oklahoma State on Feb. 27.
Kozel became the Marlins' second shortstop selection on Day 1 with the 87th pick after Lombard. He started all 62 games for Arkansas (45 at shortstop, 16 at second base, 1 as designated hitter) and led the team in multiple categories.
The 5-foot-10 infielder slashed a team-high .318/.410/.653, alongside a team-best 20 home runs and 71 RBI. He made NCBWA All-American (Third Team), Perfect Game All-American (Third Team), ABCA/Rawlings South All-Region (First Team) and SEC All-Tournament Team.
Roberson was the second high school prospect taken by the Marlins with the 115th pick, joining Lombard. LSU received his commitment as part of its 2026 signing class, but he may opt to play in MLB since Miami drafted him higher than many scouts anticipated.
He will earn $677,500 should he turn pro. Roberson was the No. 175 player in the ESPN prospect rankings, but wasn’t a top-250 prospect according to MLB.
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Gulliver Prep prospect Jacob Lombard headlines Miami's draft haul, as he was the 14th selection in the first round. The Marlins are part of the Lombard baseball history, as their rookie shortstop is the son of Detroit Tigers bench coach George Lombard Sr. and the younger brother of George Lombard Jr., who is in the New York Yankees farm system.
Lombard is a high-risk, high-reward pick for the Marlins. He fell to the team at 14 because of his hitting concerns, but ESPN MLB expert David Schoenfield believes he can be the steal of the draft should he improve his hitting ability.
Miami made four other selections with its 52nd, 71st, 87th and 115th picks.
Ethan Kleinsmith, LHP, Oregon State
Kleinsmith was the first pitcher selection for the Marlins in the second round. The left-hander started 15 games last season for Oregon State, posting a 9-2 record and 3.74 ERA.
He equaled his career-high (12 strikeouts) against Mercer on March 28. Kleinsmith was named to the ABCA All-America Third Team and ABCA All-Region First Team in 2025.
Ryan Peterson, RHP, Sam Houston State
Peterson continued the pitcher trend for the Marlins in the Competitive Balance Round B. He was the 79th-ranked prospect in the MLB Pipeline's Top 150 prospects.
The right-hander appeared in 15 games for Sam Houston State and finished the season with a 7-8 record. He recorded 105 strikeouts on the year, including a season-high 11 strikeouts against Oklahoma State on Feb. 27.
Camden Kozeal, SS, Arkansas
Kozel became the Marlins' second shortstop selection on Day 1 with the 87th pick after Lombard. He started all 62 games for Arkansas (45 at shortstop, 16 at second base, 1 as designated hitter) and led the team in multiple categories.
The 5-foot-10 infielder slashed a team-high .318/.410/.653, alongside a team-best 20 home runs and 71 RBI. He made NCBWA All-American (Third Team), Perfect Game All-American (Third Team), ABCA/Rawlings South All-Region (First Team) and SEC All-Tournament Team.
Wessley Roberson, OF, Glynn Academy
Roberson was the second high school prospect taken by the Marlins with the 115th pick, joining Lombard. LSU received his commitment as part of its 2026 signing class, but he may opt to play in MLB since Miami drafted him higher than many scouts anticipated.
He will earn $677,500 should he turn pro. Roberson was the No. 175 player in the ESPN prospect rankings, but wasn’t a top-250 prospect according to MLB.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/roundtable-rtb/id6450423049) and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
