Believe Marlins director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik when he says he really wanted to select Mississippi State outfielder Tanner Allen a year ago.

Despite being one of the best hitters on a U.S. collegiate national team that featured four of the first 14 picks taken in the 2020 MLB Draft, Allen didn't hear his name called. A hamate injury and the COVID-19 pandemic had limited him to just eight games during his junior season. That lack of a resume likely kept organizations from deciding to take a shot on him.

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On Monday afternoon, the Marlins got their second chance at choosing him, and they did so in the fourth round (No. 118 overall) of the 2021 Draft. MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis called Allen the top discount hitter.

Miami rewarded Allen, who had been picked twice before (in the 2017 and '19 Drafts), after returning to Starkville and playing as though he had something to prove. The 23-year-old went on to win the SEC batting title (.383) and Player of the Year Award, knocking 11 homers and driving in 66 runs in 67 games as he led the Bulldogs to their first national championship in a team sport.

In three College World Series games against Vanderbilt, Allen went 5-for-12 with one walk, two doubles, two multihit performances and six runs scored. He batted second and started in right field.

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"When we got here as freshmen, we didn't have the best year," Allen said following the title-clinching game. "But we ended up in Omaha, got our heart broken. Sophomore year did the same thing -- had a great year, got here, got our heart broken. We came back this year, and we agreed we're going to be a difference maker, we're going to play hard together, we're going to energize this fan base, get them rolling and let them help us win the championship, and it happened. It's an unbelievable day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog."

Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, the left-handed-hitting Allen ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 136 overall Draft prospect. He has has a quick, compact stroke and makes consistent line-drive contact, controls the strike zone and uses the whole field. Allen has the bat speed and strength for average power. On defense, he played first base his first two seasons before becoming a corner outfielder. His arm displays accuracy over strength.

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"Always known for his hitting ability from the left side of the plate," Callis said. "During the pandemic layoff, he got stronger, he got quicker. He's hitting the ball with more authority. He was kind of a fringy runner and athlete in the past, and he's really improved in both facets of the game."

Svihlik compared Allen to former Marlins outfielder Corey Dickerson, who has been an All-Star and a Gold Glove Award winner in nine Major League seasons. Like fifth- and sixth-round picks Brady Allen and Sam Praytor, Tanner is a no-nonsense guy from a Power Five conference.

"Plays extremely hard, can flat out hit, can play multiple outfield positions, very accomplished," Svihlik said. "Should be able to move fairly quickly and start at a higher level, so very fortunate to get him, because he was a guy that we really, really liked last year, just didn't have a chance to sign him."