Marlins load up on shortstops and right-handed pitchers

MIAMI--The Miami Marlins made some interesting moves yesterday in Day 2 of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The Marlins an organization that usually drafts a plethora of high school talent trended in a different drafting philosophy. 9 of the team's 14 picks were college players, perhaps signaling a change in their drafting strategy.

A day after drafting left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney with the 9th overall pick, the Marlins stocked up on middle infielders and right-handed pitching. Miami drafted four shortstops yesterday.

Shortstops drafted yesterday on Day 2

Third round (No. 104 overall), Avery Romero, 19, 5-11, 195 pounds, SS, Pedro Menendez High School (St. Augustine, Fla.)

Fifth round (No. 167 overall), Austin Nola, 22, 6-0, 185 pounds, SS, Louisiana State University

Sixth round (No. 197 overall), Anthony Gomez, 22, 6-0, 185 pounds, SS, Vanderbilt University

12th round (No. 377 overall), Christian Rivera, 18, 5-10, 165 pounds, SS, Escuela Nueva Superior Vocacional de Loiza (Puerto Rico)

These four players taken will provide a deeper middle infield future in the Marlins organization, because outside of Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez there is no clear shortstop of the future, just the present.

Also taken were five right-handed pitchers, led by seventh round draft pick Ryan Newell from Shorter University.

Right-handed pitchers drafted on Day 2

Seventh round (No. 227 overall), Ryan Newell, 21, 6-2, 215 pounds, RHP, Shorter University

Eighth round (No. 257 overall), Drew Steckenrider, 21, 6-5, 215 pounds, RHP, University of Tennessee

Ninth round (No. 287 overall), Nicholas Wittgren, 22, 6-3, 210 pounds, RHP, Purdue University

11th round (No. 347 overall), Matthew Milroy, 21, 6-2, 185 pounds, RHP, University of Illinois

13th round (No. 407 overall), Blake Logan, 20, 6-1, 225 pounds, RHP, Eastern Oklahoma State Junior College

While much of the draft picks were allocated to shortstops and right-handed pitching, the Marlins did make some notable earlier picks. The Marlins compensation round b pick and the fourth round pick are both outfielders. Kolby Copeland was drafted with the compensation pick and he projects to play centerfield, while fourth round pick Austin Dean is a versatile outfielder and can be placed in either of the corner outfield positions. Both of these outfielders are high schoolers and would most likely play for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in Rookie ball if they sign.

Draft picks headed to the Jammers? Most likely the seasoned players with college experience will be a part of the Jammers this season, it all of course depends on when these players sign.

UPDATE COMPLETED DRAFT RESULTS

With the 2012 MLB Draft now complete the big picture is starting to set in. The Marlins drafted 40 players in total with 26 of them being college players and 14 high schoolers. Miami finished the draft by taking a shortstop, pick #1217 was Alex Polston, a high school senior from Carl Albert HS in Oklahoma.

Now it becomes a waiting game with the draft picks. The draftees have until July 15th to sign, but the faster they sign the more playing time they can accrue in their rookie seasons. Teams will have a tall task ahead to determine what level to assign the newly drafted players to.