The Marlins’ farm system has greatly improved over the past three seasons. And in 2026, the club added more projectable talent through the MLB Draft. Among the picks were Jacob Lombard, who will look to become a foundational building block for the Marlins, plus a slew of college pitchers and hitters.
The picks
| Round | Player | Position | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Lombard | SS | Y |
| 2 | Ethan Kleinschmit | P | Y |
| 2 | Ryan Peterson | P | Y |
| 3 | Cam Kozeal | SS | Y |
| 4 | Wessley Roberson | OF | Y |
| 5 | Trey Beard | P | Y |
| 6 | Cole Selvig | P | Y |
| 7 | Eric Guevara | SS | Y |
| 8 | Rintaro Sasaki | 1B | Y |
| 9 | Nic Tolbert | 3B | Y |
| 10 | Zach Peters | P | Y |
| 11 | Fabio Bundi | P | Y |
| 12 | Bane Barker | P | Y |
| 13 | Connor Benge | P | Y |
| 14 | Tyler Kapa | P | Y |
| 15 | Colin Linder | P | Y |
| 16 | Porter Buursema | P | Y |
| 17 | Duke McCarron | P | Y |
| 18 | Jatniel McCloud | OF | Y |
| 19 | Jackson Mitchell | P | Y |
| 20 | Joey Lawson | C | Y |
The players
The Yankees drafted George Lombard Jr. in the first round three years ago, and thus far, that move has worked out pretty well so far in a limited MLB sample size. Now, his brother, Jacob Lombard, will look to do the same.
Lombard made a splash in his pro debut, hitting a home run against Low-A Palm Beach. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the 18-year-old, who came out of high school with more hype than his older brother. A blistering-fast runner (6.11s timed 60-yard run in 2025 Perfect Game showcase circuit), Lombard is also a strong youngster with pop.
If the package comes together, Lombard could turn into a very special hitter for the Marlins — something the club has coveted for years.
After Lombard, the Marlins grabbed two college pitchers in the second round: Ethan Kleinschmit and Ryan Peterson. Kleinschmit was a force in the OSU rotation behind Dax Whitney in each of the last two seasons. High-carry, low-90s fastball, coupled with a changeup and slider. He struck out 113 batters in 2025 and 97 over 77 innings last season.
As for Peterson, the Sam Houston State ace was among the best statistical pitchers in Division I last year. Peterson struck out 105 batters over 88 innings. However, he allowed 14 home runs this past year. Breaking ball and low-90s fastball with running action are among the weapons in his toolbox.
Middle infielder Cam Kozeal was picked in the third round. Kozeal, a big name out of Arkansas, hit 20 home runs as a junior this past year and shined as a leading piece for the Razorbacks. Compact swing, didn’t strike out a ton, and, like in this example below, will see the ball deep on occasion and go with it.
The Marlins grabbed high school outfielder Wessley Roberson in the fourth round, spending over $1.1MM in an over-slot deal to get the Georgia product. Roberson, two years ago at the Perfect Game showcase tourney, was clocked at 94 MPH with his outfield arm. He also ran a 6.34s 60-yard dash in the showcase circuit.
Trey Beard may be one of the most interesting pitchers from this past year’s draft. Beard transferred from FAU to Florida State after the 2025 season, and he was one of the best transfer pickups across the country. He finished with 97 strikeouts in 68 innings as a junior with the Seminoles.
Dating back to his freshman days, Beard intrigued. He’s not a flamethrower by any means; his fastball is a high-carry one from a high arm slot that sat in the high-80s to low-90s. But what makes him tick is a plus changeup that will run in the low-to-mid-70s. It’s of the “Bugs Bunny” variety — and one he was willing to throw to lefties, too.
Cole Selvig, the Marlins’ sixth-round pick, struck out 58 over 67 innings. Mid-90s fastball with cut, along with a changeup, cut/slider, and sweeper.
Miami’s next two picks were college hitters. Eric Guevara notched 78 hits for the Auburn Tigers, second-most on his college team this past year. One round later, the Marlins grabbed well-known slugger Rintaro Sasaki from Stanford. Big power bat who put up gaudy exit velocities with the Cardinal — but also struck out a lot.
The other two notable picks were both high schoolers. Miami gave almost $600K in signing bonus money to high school infielder Nic Tolbert, and $497,500 to 12th-rounder Bane Barker.
Tolbert hit 20 home runs as a high school senior, which prompted the Marlins to go overslot & sign the Wichita State commit. Barker, meanwhile, is a project pitcher who stands at 6’8”.
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