Marlins encouraged with Bleday, Misner talks

ATLANTA -- The Marlins on Friday announced the signings of four 2019 Draft picks: right-hander Bryan Hoeing (seventh round), two players from Vanderbilt’s national championship team -- left-hander Zach King (13th round) and infielder Julian Infante (36th round) -- and catcher Dustin Skelton (18th round) from Mississippi State University.

Still unsigned are the Marlins’ headliners from last month's Draft -- outfielder JJ Bleday from Vanderbilt (fourth overall) and University of Missouri outfielder Kameron Misner (35th overall), a Competitive Balance Round A selection.

Even though Bleday and Misner aren’t yet under contract, the Marlins remain highly optimistic that deals will get done before the 5 p.m. ET deadline on July 12.

“We’re encouraged with both, and hope to get it taken care of and get them out as soon as possible,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.

Fourth overall MLB draft pick JJ Bleday is awaiting a multi-million dollar contract with the Miami Marlins being negotiated by agent Scott Boras.

Money can change a person, but JJ swears he'll stay true to his roots—now and forever grateful to @MosleyHigh and @MHSDolphins2019. pic.twitter.com/U8LpmVnVEL

— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) July 4, 2019

Bleday was a mainstay on Vanderbilt’s College World Series title team, which took two of three in the final against the University of Michigan.

When the deal is reached, it is expected to be in the neighborhood of $6.67 million. Slot value is $6.664 million for the fourth pick of the first round, and the 35th overall pick’s value is $2,095,800.

“We want to get those guys out playing as soon as possible, so they can start their careers,” Hill said. “I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for them in this organization. Hopefully, they see that opportunity, and are looking forward to starting their career.”

Bleday’s season ended on June 26, and Misner’s last college game was on May 21.

“Hopefully, we can get [Misner] signed and back in the flow of things,” Hill said. “He’s been down well over a month. You want them out playing, but we understand it is a process.”

Worth noting

• Infielder Jon Berti, on rehab assignment with Triple-A New Orleans with a left oblique strain, is now dealing with a left hamstring strain.

• Third baseman Brian Anderson’s sore right elbow likely will keep him out of the starting lineup for the entire series at Atlanta. Anderson flied out to left in a pinch-hit at-bat in Friday's 1-0 loss, but throwing has been giving him issues.

• Catcher Chad Wallach (concussion) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Jupiter on Saturday.

• Starter Pablo López (right shoulder strain) continues his throwing progression.