MIAMI -- It's that time of year when low-payroll clubs restock their farm system and seek homegrown stars of the future.
"This is our lifeblood," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We don't sign good players, (then) we don't compete."
Many experts say the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, which begins Thursday night, lacks the can't-miss prospect seen in the past with outfielder Bryce Harper and right-handed ace Stephen Strasburg, but promises a potential pool of depth.
That bodes well for the Miami Marlins, who will have six picks in the first 107 selections. Miami will choose second overall after the Houston Astros -- last season's worst team.
"We feel real good about the draft this year up at the top part of it," vice president of scouting Stan Meek said. "There's a lot of guys who are similar-type guys. Obviously at two you're going to get a standout guy. We feel real good about the picks through that fourth, fifth, sixth round even with the quality of what we're seeing on the board."
Since the organization has so many high picks worth seven-figure amounts, it has spent more time and resources than previous years in preparing for the three-day draft.
Meek has taken at least three in-person looks at the top prospects. Miami even asked some of its pro scouts to gather additional analysis of the players, upwards of six reports.
On Monday, the Marlins had trimmed down their candidates to four, possibly five guys. Over the past week, the scouting department has discussed each while promoting personal favorites.
"I probably have one I like better than some others," Meek said. "Even though they're really close, my job is at the end of the day, push comes to shove where do we want to go? I'm pretty close to that."
Names being thrown around that may wind up with the Marlins include N.C. State left-hander Carlos Rodon as well as prep stars Tyler Kolek, Brady Aiken and Alex Jackson.
Rodon finished 6-7 with a 2.01 ERA in 14 starts for the Wolfpack during his junior season. As a sophomore, he was an All-American. In 2012, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher and Freshman of the Year. Rodon was initially taken in the 16th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011 before electing to go to college.
Kolek, a 6-foot-5, 230-pounder from Shepherd High School in Texas, throws a fastball in the upper 90s and a power curveball. In 10 games, he posted a 0.35 ERA. He struck out 126 batters and walked eight in 60 1/3 innings with no homers allowed.
Aiken, of Cathedral Catholic High School in California, is a lefty who can hit 97 mph on his fastball and also throws his curveball and changeup for strikes. He struck out 111 in 59 2/3 frames with a 1.06 ERA his senior year. A 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, Aiken led Team USA to gold in the 18-and-under World Cup in Taiwan last September.
Jackson, a catcher and outfielder at Rancho Bernardo High School in California, can hit for power as a right-handed bat. He also has a strong arm. In 35 games as a senior, the 6-foot-2, 215-pounder hit .400 with seven doubles, three triples, 11 homers and 31 RBI.
Several factors will come into play when making the final decision: What the Houston Astros do with the top pick, a player's makeup and tools and the financial impact of the available slot money at the No. 2 selection -- $6,821,800. There are various "layers," as Meek says.
One that won't be forced upon them? Drafting a player just to fit a quick need rather than the best player on the board.
"Makeup is a big part of it as most guys who reach their potential and become the best they can be with their tools had great makeup," Meek said. "The underperformers are the guys with really good tools but don't quite have the inside makeup so maybe not quite performing. Here, it's all about numbers and performing.
"We've given a lot of flexibility by (owner) Jeffrey Loria and Mike and (general manager Dan Jennings) to line them up like you think they fit just as players, best guy. One of the most dangerous things in the world to do is fit a need, try to find something quick and not take what you think is the best guy. The best players win baseball games. If we pass by better players to get a fit you're not giving yourself a total value of your pick. Thank goodness we've been given the freedom of the direction you think that helps me."
MARLINS 2014 DRAFT ORDER
No. 2 -- First Round
No. 36 -- Competitive Balance A
No. 43 -- Second Round
No. 76 -- Third Round
No. 105 -- Supplemental Round
Second selection in Rounds 4-40
RECENT FIRST-ROUND PICKS
2013 -- 3B Colin Moran (Sixth overall, University of North Carolina)
2012 -- LHP Andrew Heaney (Ninth overall, Oklahoma State University)
2011 -- RHP Jose Fernandez (14th overall, Braulio Alonso High)
2010 -- OF Christian Yelich (23rd overall, Westlake High School)
2009 -- C Chad James (18th overall, Patriot High School)
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
