Marlins may have steal in 9th-rounder Hovis
MIAMI -- The Marlins stockpiled plenty of size and strength to close out Day 2 of the MLB Draft. With their picks in Rounds 6-10 on Tuesday, they focused on hard-throwing pitchers while adding a sturdy catcher.
Miami even took a medical risk, landing Reilly Hovis from the University of North Carolina in the ninth round. If not for Tommy John surgery, the right-hander was projected as a third-rounder.
Overall, the theme of the afternoon was to stock up the system with as many power arms as possible.
Now, it's a matter of signing the players and seeing how quickly they can advance through the system.
"It will just be how fast they can acclimate to the pro thing," Marlins vice president of scouting Stan Meek said. "As far as how fast they get there, I couldn't really tell you. They're all really starters, so it takes maybe a little time."
The Draft concludes on Wednesday, with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at noon ET.
Round 6 (176th overall): C Justin Cohen, Riverview (Fla.) HS
Cohen, 18, is a Florida State commit with good size, athleticism and defensive skills. He was named a 2015 Perfect Game Third-Team All-American, as well as a Florida First-Team All-Region.
• Athleticism attracts Marlins to draft catcher Cohen
Last August, Cohen participated in the Under Armour All-America Game at Wrigley Field. A couple of weeks ago, the Marlins got a good look at Cohen, who attended a workout at Marlins Park.
Video: Draft Report: Justin Cohen
Round 7 (206th overall): RHP Travis Neubeck, Indian Hills CC
This past season as a sophomore, Neubeck went 7-2 with a 3.04 ERA for Indian Hills. He started 12 games, striking out 69 batters in 71 innings. He originally planned to pitch for the Air Force Academy, which he committed to out of high school after being ranked as the third-best pitching prospect in Minnesota.
Neubeck was named First-Team All-Region by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference.
Round 8 (236th overall): RHP Chris Paddack, Cedar Park (Texas) HS
With good size already at 19 years old, Paddack is a 2015 Perfect Game Third-Team All American and a Texas All-Region First Team. He is committed to Texas A&M, and he went 11-0 with a 0.46 ERA this past season as a senior.
In 12 starts, he tossed nine complete games, included five shutouts. Paddack was dominant, striking out 134 in 75 1/3 innings. Miami sees plenty of upside in the right-hander, who can throw 93-94 mph.
Round 9 (266th overall): RHP Reilly Hovis, North Carolina
Hovis underwent Tommy John Surgery in April, as he was limited to just three innings as a junior, while dealing with a right forearm strain. Before being hurt, he was impressive, going 9-1 with a 2.25 ERA and six saves in 64 innings in 2014.
Prior to the surgery, the Marlins projected Hovis as a third-round selection. The belief that he will bounce back is why Miami selected the right-hander. The hope is he will be fully recovered and ready to pitch by April or May 2016.
Round 10 (296th overall): RHP Kelvin Rivas, Oklahoma Baptist University
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, the 23-year-old reportedly has weighed as much as 275. The big right-hander possesses a mid-90s fastball, and he is a power arm. Rivas will be groomed as a starter, but he may wind up pitching out of the bullpen.
In 15 starts this season, Rivas was 12-0 with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 144 in 95 innings. He walked just 36.