Marlins complement top pick Arquette with trio of intriguing college outfielders on Day 1

The Marlins went with college bats for all four of their picks on Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday night.

Following the selection of Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette (seventh overall), Miami chose a trio of outfielders: Clemson’s Cam Cannarella, Arizona State’s Brandon Compton and Florida State’s Max Williams.

Rounds 4-20 will take place on Monday.

"It's funny,” director of amateur scouting Frankie Piliere said. “I say this every year: You never know what exactly might happen. I think a lot of people thought last year [that] our plan was high school hitters, and sometimes it just falls that way. It could have fallen this exact same way last year, same thing this year. We just keep a very open mind when we go into Draft day. We let the Draft come to us. We don't try to get out over our skis and get ahead of ourselves and try to pick certain types of players.

"This is a fun scenario that I think played out in the best possible ways for us in what we thought was possible. I've been saying for a while, I thought there were a lot of college bats that were good, but it could have easily gone another way. The Draft is just funny that way. We're just really, really thrilled that it did work out this way.”

Here's a look the Marlins' Day 1 picks after taking Arquette at No. 7:

Cam Cannarella, OF (Competitive Balance Round A, 43rd overall)
• Bats/throws: L/R
• School: Clemson
• Calling Card: Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 36 overall Draft prospect, the 21-year-old Cannarella possessed some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the Draft and is considered an elite center fielder. He underwent right labrum surgery in July 2024, which has impacted his power and basestealing.
• Quote: “Very exciting center fielder, very exciting,” Piliere said. “We think he's one of the elite defenders in the Draft class, and honestly, in recent years. There's a hit tool, swing decisions have gotten a lot better. He makes contact. We think he’s an impactful everyday player.”

Brandon Compton, OF (Second round, 46th overall)
• Bats/throws: L/L
• School: Arizona State
• Calling Card: Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 47 overall Draft prospect, the 21-year-old was one of the stars of the MLB Draft Combine due to his exit velocities. Compton, who was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, was a two-way player in high school and underwent Tommy John surgery, making him relatively green as a full-time position player.
• Quote: “Anyone who watched the combine knows what kind of power Brandon Compton has,” Piliere said. “What's exciting about him is his power and speed. He was also one of the faster runners of the combine. There's a lot of athleticism. This isn't just a slugger. Really good Cape Cod League performance. We know it translates with a wood bat, and we think we got one of the truly elite power bats in the class, especially from the left side. That's a really exciting outcome.”

Max Williams, OF (Third round, 78th overall)
• Bats/throws: L/L
• School: Florida State
• Calling Card: Ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 81 overall Draft prospect, the 20-year-old has a combination of strength and bat speed that should lead to power in pro ball, though he will need to improve his swing decisions. Williams has the chance to remain in center field, but he also could profile in right.
• Quote: “Max Williams was somebody that we've been on for a long time,” Piliere said. “Another good left-handed hitter. The bat is the carry. He's also very good out in center field. This is a sneaky defender that I think people will be a little bit surprised by how much defensive value he has. But he made a lot of contact in the [Atlantic Coast Conference]. Florida State's done a great job with hitters in the last few years, and Max Williams just fit right into that lineup and had been a contributor. Very exciting combination of contact and power.”