Marlins Draft Picks.
Miami Marlins Select Power-Hitting Kozeal, Pitching Prospect Kleinschmit in 2026 Draft.
Key Points
Kozeal produced a standout 2026 season for Arkansas: .318/.410/.653 with 20 homers and 71 RBIs, 59 runs in 62 games, leading the Razorbacks in several categories; across two seasons he has 35 career homers (tied for ninth in program history). His draft value was projected at No. 40 with a slot value of $929,700.
Kozeal is described as a versatile defender with a likely future at second base; he started 30 games at first base and 25 at second in 2025, and Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn has indicated second base is his future position.
There are conflicting reports on Ethan Kleinschmit’s second-round draft position: some outlets listed him as No. 52 overall, while others pegged him as the 12th pick of the second round; MLB.com ranked him No. 69 and ESPN had him at No. 46 in various projections.
Kleinschmit’s two-year OSU run: 17-7 with a 3.64 ERA across 168 innings and 210 strikeouts; in 2026 he went 9-2 with a 3.74 ERA. The 6-foot-3 lefty features a low-to-mid-90s fastball with strong slider and changeup, and Baseball America ranked him No. 78 among prospects.
Kleinschmit became the Marlins’ fifth Beaver drafted in three years and OSU’s first pick in 2026, extending Miami’s pattern of targeting Oregon State pitchers after OSU’s 2025 College World Series run.
The Miami Marlins used pick No. 87 in the 2026 MLB Draft to select Camden Kozeal, a power-hitting infielder from Arkansas who slashed .318/.410/.653 with 20 home runs and 71 RBIs in just 62 games this season, according to MLB.com and Yahoo Sports. The Marlins also added Oregon State left-hander Ethan Kleinschmit in the second round, continuing their pattern of targeting Beavers pitching.
Together, the two picks reflect a clear college-first draft strategy from Miami — proven production over raw tools, with an eye toward fast-track development in a thin farm system.
Kozeal's Monster Arkansas Season Catches Miami's Eye
Kozeal put up one of the best offensive seasons in Arkansas history this spring. He hit .318 with a 1.063 OPS, smashed 20 homers, and drove in 71 runs in 62 games, according to Arkansas Razorbacks. His 35 career home runs are tied for ninth in program history. Miami had projected his slot value at $929,700 heading into draft week.
Kozeal grew up in Kansas and started his college career at Vanderbilt before transferring to Arkansas. He hits left-handed with what scouts call an "uphill swing" built for hard contact. His baseball IQ drew consistent praise. However, some teams flagged a higher chase rate against elite pitching and limited top-end speed as reasons for concern, SW Times reported.
Kozeal Likely Lands at Second Base Long-Term
Kozeal is a versatile defender who started 30 games at first base and 25 at second base in 2025. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn has said second base is Kozeal's future position. That defensive profile adds value — a power-hitting second baseman is a premium commodity at the big-league level, according to SW Times.
CBS Sports noted that Kozeal went undrafted out of high school, making his rise to a Day 2 pick a notable development story. Miami selecting him No. 87 overall suggests they believe in his swing and defensive flexibility enough to overlook the baserunning and chase-rate questions.
Kleinschmit Gives Marlins a Strikeout Lefty with Track Record
Ethan Kleinschmit went 9-2 with a 3.74 ERA in 2026 and posted a 17-7 record with a 3.64 ERA across 168 innings and 210 strikeouts over two seasons at Oregon State. The 6-foot-3 left-hander works with a low-to-mid-90s fastball and earns high marks for his slider and changeup. Baseball America ranked him No. 78 among all draft prospects.
Kleinschmit is the fifth Oregon State pitcher the Marlins have drafted in three years. He is also OSU's first pick in the 2026 draft. Miami has leaned heavily on the Beavers pipeline, especially after Oregon State's strong 2025 College World Series run. There are conflicting reports on his exact slot — some outlets listed him at No. 52 overall, while others placed him 12th in the second round, with MLB.com ranking him No. 69 and ESPN projecting him at No. 46 before the draft.
Miami Builds Farm System With College-Proven Picks
The Kozeal and Kleinschmit picks show what the Marlins are doing with their draft capital: betting on college players with real stats and real track records. Both came from Power conferences. Both put up big numbers over multiple seasons. That reduces risk compared to drafting raw high school prospects.
Kozeal brings power and infield flexibility. Kleinschmit brings a starter's frame, a three-pitch mix, and strikeout ability. Neither is a sure thing, but both are close to ready. For a franchise rebuilding its pipeline, that kind of near-term upside matters, according to Yahoo Sports.
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