The Marlins bolstered their farm system in the July 2025 MLB Draft, drafting Andrew Fischer and others. See how their college-heavy strategy vaulted them up the ranks.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While the big league club had a day off, the future of the franchise got a major shot in the arm. The completion of the 2025 MLB Draft, coupled with Janson Junk's emergence as a valuable trade chip, has painted a clear picture: the Marlins are building something special, and the rest of the league is taking notice. The renewed focus on the farm has already paid dividends, with Bleacher Report vaulting the Marlins' system to 14th in the league, a significant jump from their previous rank of 17th.
Janson Junk has been nothing short of a revelation, ranking in the 100th percentile for walk rate at an astonishing 2.0%.
The Marlins' draft room clearly had a mandate: get players who can contribute sooner rather than later. By selecting college players with all of their top 10 picks, the front office added a layer of polish and experience to a system already brimming with high-ceiling talent in the lower levels. The headliner is No. 20 overall pick Andrew Fischer, a hitter praised for his advanced approach and power. But the value didn't stop there. Snagging infielder Daniel Dickinson in the sixth round is being hailed as a steal, while high-upside arms like fifth-rounder Sean Episcope (despite injury history) and fourth-rounder Joshua Flores (with an elite breaking ball) provide the kind of organizational depth that wins championships. This infusion of talent is the primary driver behind the farm's leap into the top half of league rankings.
On the big league side, one of the best stories of the season has been the resurgence of Janson Junk. The swingman has been a steadying force, and his underlying numbers are simply elite. His 2.0% walk rate isn't just good; it's the best in baseball. The secret sauce appears to be his reunion with pitching coaches Bill Hezel and Brandon Mann, who both worked with him at Driveline. This career revival has turned him from a reclamation project into a hot commodity. With the trade deadline approaching, contenders are calling about the reliable, walk-averse innings-eater. For a Marlins team that is ahead of schedule in its rebuild, flipping Junk for future assets could be a shrewd move to further accelerate the timeline.
The Marlins are playing the long game and the short game simultaneously. By nailing the draft and bolstering the farm, they're building a sustainable foundation for years to come. At the same time, the potential to flip a revitalized asset like Janson Junk for even more future capital shows a savvy front office at work. The next few weeks leading up to the trade deadline will be fascinating as Miami navigates this exciting phase of their rebuild.
