Prospect Profile: Colin Moran

The 6^th overall selection of the MLB Draft was a player with one of the highest floors in the entire draft. Players selected after him may have had more power projection (Hunter Renfroe, D.J. Peterson), or better defensive prowess (Reese McGuire, Domonic Smith), or even a greater overall package of tools (J.P. Crawford, Austin Meadows), but the 6^th overall pick represents one of "safest" bets in the entire draft. Capable of moving quickly by virtue of being an advanced, college bat, Colin Moran is now the best offensive prospect in the Miami Marlins organization. Moran is Miami's long-term solution at 3B and with little blocking his way in the big leagues, what sort of production can we expect from him when he's ready for the show?

An alumnus of the University of North Carolina, Colin Moran is a 3B prospect with the defensive ability to stick on the left side of the infield. There was talk of him being selected by the Houston Astros at 1.1, but not necessarily because he had the talent to be first overall rather the Astros could sign him below slot and save bonus money for later rounds. Scouts love Moran's natural hitting ability and there are few who think he won't hit for a high AVG at the MLB level. He's ultra-consistent in the hard contact he makes and displays the ability to hit the ball to all fields. There is some power in Moran's swing, but it has yet to materialize.

The power ends up being the biggest question mark in pinpointing Moran's fantasy value. If we can feel comfortable that the AVG will be above-average, than the power is the only missing ingredient. There is no speed to speak of in Moran's game, so without 20+ HRs he becomes an empty-average guy. If the 3B position remains thin in the upcoming years, then there's still room for a punch-less Moran in a 12-team mixer, but until we see some power manifest there isn't a ton to get excited about here. While he isn't without potential, there is not the upside you would expect from a 6^th overall selection, and there are 5-7 guys drafted after Moran that I would select first in dynasty drafts (Dozier, Harvey, Meadows, Renfroe, Peterson, Crawford, Shipley off the top of my head). While I freely admit they are not similar players, I am still feeling burned from the last UNC product who was supposed to "move quickly", and had an "advanced approach" with "a chance for some developing power". Dustin Ackley is now wasting away in my dynasty league's waiver wire after I spent the 2^nd overall pick in our inaugural rookie league draft. Let me re-iterate that Moran is not the same prospect as Ackley, and he has the build/swing to develop legit 20+ HR power. My point is anecdotal and not something to ding Moran for when projecting his future value.

In the end, I believe Moran becomes a solid, major league regular who is can be rostered in almost any format. He won't crack many positional Top 5 lists, but his playing time and his AVG will make him an attractive play at a cheap price. If you're starting fresh in a dynasty league, don't draft him based on his pedigree as a 6^th overall selection, but if he's sitting there in later rounds he's a great value because of his high probability of just making it to the show.

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