From local prep star Jacob Lombard to high-ceiling prospects of the past, trace the hits and misses of Miami’s first-round draft selections under Bruce Sherman’s ownership.
MIAMI — With their first-round pick of the 2026 MLB Draft Saturday, the Miami Marlins went both the local route and the prep route.
The Marlins drafted Gulliver Prep outfielder Jacob Lombard with the 14th overall pick. Lombard is the son of George Lombard, who was the Atlanta Braves’ 2nd-round pick in 1994 and played six years in the big leagues (1998-2003, 2006). He is also the younger brother of New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr., who spoke highly of him during an interview with MLB.com in last year’s Futures Game.
“He’s a great athlete, can really run the bases, hits for power, gets his knocks, is a great hitter,” Lombard Jr. said.
Lombard said in an interview with MLB Network shortly after getting drafted that he and his brother are highly competitive with everything but are happy for each other in their journeys towards making it to the Major Leagues.
“We’ll fight over everything,” Lombard said 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 as the No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline and is the fifth Marlins first-round draft pick out of high school since the Bruce Sherman era began in 2018.
Marlins First Round Picks Since 2018
2018 - Connor Scott (No. 13 overall, OF)
The Marlins ultimately selected Connor Scott because he was an athletic, five-tool high school outfielder from Tampa, Fl. Unfortunately, Scott never developed enough offensively. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jacob Stallings after the 2021 season. Scott has yet to make his MLB debut and is currently with the Kansas City Royals’ Double-A affiliate.
2019 - JJ Bleday (No. 4 overall, OF)
At the time the Marlins drafted him, Bleday was coming off a monster season at Vanderbilt, where he slashed .347/.465/.701 with 27 home runs while helping lead the Commodores to a College World Series title. Bleday struggled during his time in Miami and was traded to the then-Oakland Athletics for reliever A.J. Puk before the start of spring training in 2023. Bleday has become a key contributor with the Cincinnati Reds this season, entering Saturday with 15 home runs and 41 RBI.
2020 - Max Meyer (No. 3 overall, RHP)
Selected during the unique five-round 2020 MLB draft, which was shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meyer quickly became the centerpiece of Miami's farm system thanks to his electric fastball and devastating slider. He reached the majors just two years later before Tommy John surgery temporarily derailed his career. After returning from injury, Meyer steadily regained his form and has developed into one of the National League's premier young pitchers, validating the Marlins' decision to select him with the third overall pick. Meyer will join shortstop Otto Lopez in representing the Marlins at the All-Star Game July 14 in Philadelphia.
2021 - Kahlil Watson (No. 16 overall, SS)
Watson was considered one of the most talented high school players in the 2021 draft and unexpectedly fell to Miami because of signability concerns. While his upside was undeniable, his professional career never gained traction due to inconsistent performance and off-field issues. On Aug. 1, 2023, Watson and Jean Segura were traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for first baseman Josh Bell, making this selection one of the organization's biggest draft misses in recent years. Watson went on to reach the big leagues with the Guardians this season and made his anticipated loanDepot park debut on Friday.
2022 - Jacob Berry (No. 6 overall, 3B/OF)
Berry entered professional baseball with a reputation as one of the best pure hitters in college baseball after starring at Arizona before transferring to LSU. The Marlins believed his advanced bat would allow him to move quickly through the minor leagues, but his production has been inconsistent, while questions about his long-term defensive position remain. He still has time to turn things around, but the pick has yet to deliver the impact Miami envisioned.
2023- Noble Meyer (No. 10 overall, RHP)
Noble Meyer was one of the highest-upside high school pitchers available in the 2023 draft, boasting a lively fastball and impressive secondary pitches for his age. The Marlins selected him with the expectation that he could eventually develop into a frontline starter. He remains with the Marlins' High-A affiliate, where his focus is on refining his command and continuing his physical development, making this selection too early to evaluate.
2024 - PJ Morlando (No. 16 overall, OF)
The Marlins used their first-round pick on Morlando, a powerful left-handed hitting outfielder with one of the more intriguing offensive profiles in the high school class. His combination of raw power and hitting ability gives Miami hope that he can become a middle-of-the-order bat. Since he is only beginning his professional career, it will likely be several years before the organization knows whether the pick has paid off.
2025 - Aiva Arquette (No. 7 overall, SS)
With the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft, the Marlins selected Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, one of the premier college position players available. A physically imposing shortstop with power, athleticism and defensive versatility, Arquette projects as a potential cornerstone player. Miami’s No. 3 overall prospect is currently sidelined for roughly six weeks after injuring his left thumb in late June. Arquette has dealt with several injuries during his first full professional season. He did not make his 2026 debut until April 28 after undergoing offseason core muscle surgery.
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