Marlins lock in top draft picks
The Miami Marlins have announced the signing of two of their most highly regarded selections from the 2026 MLB Draft, doing so at contract values that fall beneath the slot recommendations set by the league.
Jacob Lombard, a standout high‑school prospect from the Miami area, was chosen with the 14th overall pick and agreed to a $5 million deal, a figure $440,000 lower than the $5.44 million projection attached to that slot. He was recognized as the second‑highest‑ranked high school prospect and the fifth overall draft prospect.
Right‑hander Ryan Peterson, who posted a 3.38 earned run average and recorded 105 strikeouts during his college season at Sam Houston, was selected 71st overall and signed for $897,500, undershooting his $1.19 million expected value.
Bonus pool savings and future flexibility
The combined underslot agreements have freed roughly $740,000 of the Marlins’ bonus pool, a cushion that can be redirected toward international signings, player development initiatives, or future free‑agent pursuits.