MIAMI — With their first-round decide of the 2026 MLB Draft Saturday, the Miami Marlins went each the native route and the prep route.
The Marlins drafted Gulliver Prep outfielder Jacob Lombard with the 14th general decide. Lombard is the son of George Lombard, who was the Atlanta Braves’ 2nd-round decide in 1994 and performed six years in the massive leagues (1998-2003, 2006). He can be the youthful brother of New York Yankees high prospect George Lombard Jr., who spoke extremely of him throughout an interview with MLB.com in final yr’s Futures Game.
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“He’s a great athlete, can really run the bases, hits for power, gets his knocks, is a great hitter,” Lombard Jr. mentioned.
Lombard mentioned in an interview with MLB Network shortly after getting drafted that he and his brother are extremely aggressive with the whole lot however are joyful for one another in their journeys in direction of making it to the Major Leagues.
“We’ll fight over everything,” Lombard mentioned in an interview with MLB Network. “I think in this case, I think we’re both just as happy for each other to finally get closer toward our dream, which is possibly playing against each other in the big leagues.”
Lombard, 18, is ranked because the No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is the fifth Marlins first-round draft pick of highschool for the reason that Bruce Sherman period started in 2018.
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2018 – Connor Scott (No. 13 general, OF)
The Marlins finally chosen Connor Scott as a result of he was an athletic, five-tool highschool outfielder from Tampa, Fl. Unfortunately, Scott by no means developed sufficient offensively. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jacob Stallings after the 2021 season. Scott has but to make his MLB debut and is presently with the Kansas City Royals’ Double-A affiliate.
2019 – JJ Bleday (No. 4 general, OF)
At the time the Marlins drafted him, Bleday was coming off a monster season at Vanderbilt, the place he slashed .347/.465/.701 with 27 residence runs whereas serving to lead the Commodores to a College World Series title. Bleday struggled throughout his time in Miami and was traded to the then-Oakland Athletics for reliever A.J. Puk earlier than the beginning of spring coaching in 2023. Bleday has turn out to be a key contributor with the Cincinnati Reds this season, getting into Saturday with 15 residence runs and 41 RBI.
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2020 – Max Meyer (No. 3 general, RHP)
Selected throughout the distinctive five-round 2020 MLB draft, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Meyer shortly grew to become the centerpiece of Miami’s farm system due to his electrical fastball and devastating slider. He reached the majors simply two years later earlier than Tommy John surgical procedure quickly derailed his profession. After getting back from damage, Meyer steadily regained his type and has developed into one of many National League’s premier younger pitchers, validating the Marlins’ choice to pick out him with the third general decide. Meyer will be a part of shortstop Otto Lopez in representing the Marlins on the All-Star Game July 14 in Philadelphia.
2021 – Kahlil Watson (No. 16 general, SS)
Watson was thought of some of the proficient highschool gamers in the 2021 draft and unexpectedly fell to Miami due to signability considerations. While his upside was plain, his skilled profession by no means gained traction resulting from inconsistent efficiency and off-field points. On Aug. 1, 2023, Watson and Jean Segura have been traded to the Cleveland Guardians in trade for first baseman Josh Bell, making this choice one of many group’s greatest draft misses in latest years. Watson went on to succeed in the massive leagues with the Guardians this season and made his anticipated loanDepot park debut on Friday.
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2022 – Jacob Berry (No. 6 general, 3B/OF)
Berry entered skilled baseball with a fame as the most effective pure hitters in faculty baseball after starring at Arizona earlier than transferring to LSU. The Marlins believed his superior bat would enable him to maneuver shortly via the minor leagues, however his manufacturing has been inconsistent, whereas questions on his long-term defensive place stay. He nonetheless has time to show issues round, however the decide has but to ship the affect Miami envisioned.
2023- Noble Meyer (No. 10 general, RHP)
Noble Meyer was one of many highest-upside highschool pitchers accessible in the 2023 draft, boasting a vigorous fastball and spectacular secondary pitches for his age. The Marlins chosen him with the expectation that he might finally develop right into a frontline starter. He stays with the Marlins’ High-A affiliate, the place his focus is on refining his command and persevering with his bodily improvement, making this choice too early to guage.
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2024 – PJ Morlando (No. 16 general, OF)
The Marlins used their first-round decide on Morlando, a strong left-handed hitting outfielder with one of many extra intriguing offensive profiles in the highschool class. His mixture of uncooked energy and hitting potential provides Miami hope that he can turn out to be a middle-of-the-order bat. Since he’s solely starting his skilled profession, it is going to doubtless be a number of years earlier than the group is aware of whether or not the decide has paid off.
2025 – Aiva Arquette (No. 7 general, SS)
With the seventh general decide in final yr’s draft, the Marlins chosen Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, one of many premier faculty place gamers accessible. A bodily imposing shortstop with energy, athleticism and defensive versatility, Arquette tasks as a possible cornerstone participant. Miami’s No. 3 general prospect is presently sidelined for roughly six weeks after injuring his left thumb in late June. Arquette has handled a number of accidents throughout his first full skilled season. He didn’t make his 2026 debut till April 28 after present process offseason core muscle surgical procedure.
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