MIAMI -- Marlins special assistant to baseball operations Stan Meek, the point person on the organization’s MLB Drafts from 2003-18, has announced his retirement after three decades in professional baseball.

Meek, 68, told MLB.com on Friday afternoon that he is ready to spend more time at his home in Norman, Okla., with his wife, Gina, and six grandchildren.

“I want to spend more time as a grandpa,” Meek said in a phone interview.

With Meek at the helm, the Marlins have hit big in the Draft, selecting Giancarlo Stanton (second round, 2007), Christian Yelich (first round, ‘10), J.T. Realmuto (third round, ‘10) and José Fernández (first round, ‘11).

Realmuto was a shortstop in high school, but when Meek witnessed him play a rare game at catcher, Meek asked if he would switch to the position. Realmuto has emerged as an All-Star and arguably the best backstop in the game.

Chris Coghlan, the National League Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2009, was the Marlins’ supplemental first-round pick in ‘06.

Of the Marlins’ current roster, third baseman Brian Anderson (third round, 2014), left-hander Trevor Rogers (first round, ‘17) and left-hander Braxton Garrett (first round, ‘16) were all also picked in part by Meek.

“Our job was to accumulate talent,” Meek said, “and we took some who didn’t pan out.”

The Marlins also drafted players who ended up performing for other teams, including right-hander Chris Paddack (eighth round, 2015) and left-hander Brad Hand (second round, ‘08). Dodgers catcher and World Series winner Austin Barnes was a ninth-round pick in ‘11.

Meek spoke with Marlins vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo on Friday and thanked the organization for its support.

“I could have stayed if I wanted to stay,” Meek said.

Meek added that his decision had nothing to do with the Marlins parting ways a few weeks ago with president of baseball operations Michael Hill, who this week interviewed with the Angels for their vacant general manager position.

Meek was Hill’s special assistant for the past two seasons, and the pair have a strong friendship. “I want to thank Michael for all that he did for me,” Meek said.

Meek spent 19 seasons with the Marlins, and 30 total in professional baseball.

Meek played collegiate baseball at the University of Oklahoma, participating in three College World Series (1972-74). He was the Sooners’ pitching coach from '77-89. He then began his pro scouting career with the Tigers in '91, and he joined Tampa Bay as a national crosschecker in ‘96 before moving on to the Montreal Expos in 2001. His first season with the Marlins was in ‘02.

The fact that Meek is retiring doesn’t mean he is stepping away from baseball. He noted that if a less demanding role presented itself, he would consider it.

“If I do anything with anyone, it would be in a lesser capacity,” he said.