It's finally April and you know what that means? It's mock draft time!
We've said it before, but we shall continue to say it for consistency's sake. The 2023 MLB Draft will be held from July 9th thru July 11th in Seattle, Washington in conjunction with All-Star Weekend festivities. We've got a very strong class coming together as we've got both high school and college games thriving throughout the country. We're just getting closer to the stretch run.
Some storylines to cover before we dive right into the goods from our plethora of draft writers. Dylan Crews continues to have a stronghold on the 1.1 spot, as he's hitting *over* .500 over halfway through the season, but teammate and LSU ace Paul Skenes is not far behind. Can Crews and Skenes become the first pair of teammates to ever go back-to-back to start the draft? We think there's a possibility of this happening, but things will become clearer the closer we get to July 9th.
Without further ado, here's Mock Draft 3.0.
1. Pittsburgh Pirates
Dylan Crews, Outfielder, LSU
Regarding the question of who should be picked first overall, Dylan Crews has resoundingly answered it with his incredible start: a .510/.645/.882 slash with 9 homers, more than double the number of walks than strikeouts, and an average exit velocity around 100 mph. While the Pirates may not see enough separation at the top of the board and may ultimately chose to go with an under slot option like they did in 2021 with Henry Davis, Crews has shown the tools to be an impact player for this organization. With SEC play picking up, strong conference play from the outfielder can further cement his name in the 1.1 discussion.
- Daniel Garcia
2. Washington Nationals
Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
At #2, the Nationals choose LSU RHP Paul Skenes, the top college pitcher on our board. The mountainous two-way transfer from Air Force gave up the bat to be Jay Johnson's Friday night starter in Baton Rouge, and has blown away batters this Spring. With a lively high 90s fastball that touches 100, a sharp mid 80s slider and tailing high 80s changeup, Skenes possesses top of the rotation stuff that has finally seen the uptick scouts have been expecting since he burst onto the national radar as a freshman. The Nationals have gone prep bat in the first round the last two years, but historically have been more than willing to spend big bucks on college pitching when it's available to them.
- Will Hoefer
3. Detroit Tigers
Wyatt Langford, Outfielder, Florida
While a midseason injury derailed his outstanding start to the season, Langford has done next to nothing to dissuade scouts and analysts on his potential for future impact at the next level. He’s got a shot to play centerfield while providing offensive thump. Langford checks a ton of live looks boxes, and even more once you dive into the numbers. The Tigers are thirsty for offense, and Scott Harris is known to be a progressive guy in talent evaluation. This is a good fit.
- Joe Doyle
4. Texas Rangers
Max Clark, Outfielder, Franklin Community
At fourth overall, the Rangers nab Max Clark, a prep bat with a complete profile. At the plate, Clark has an extremely advanced approach that uses the entire field with some pop, and he has shown a new and improved swing thus far in the spring. In the field, he uses his incredible speed and athleticism to play a strong outfield. Due to his all-around strengths, his floor sits quite higher than most high-school players and gives the Rangers enough confidence here to take him over some college options like Chase Dollander.
- Daniel Garcia
5. Minnesota Twins
Walker Jenkins, Outfielder, South Brunswick
The Twins have been extremely bat-heavy in recent years and that's a trend that'll continue here with Walker Jenkins, who may be the best prep bat in this class when fully healthy. Jenkins has the potential to hit for both average and power, which fits the Twin's mold. While he plays center field now, it's likely that he moves to right field once he fully matures physically, where his strong arm and defense can shine. He's also a very good runner and poses quite the threat on the base paths. It's legitimate five-tool potential here.
- Tyler Jennings
6. Oakland Athletics
Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
After the 2022 season, we here at Prospects Live had Tennessee RHP Chase Dollander as the #1 overall player on our board, with the Oakland Athletics having the best odds to select first in the 2023 MLB Draft. Since that point, the A's bad luck in the inaugural Draft Lottery has them picking #6, and in a bit of irony Dollander has become available at this pick in the mock draft. The Volunteers' ace has experienced some issues replicating the stuff and command of his breakout 2022 campaign, but still possesses eye catching athleticism and a potent three pitch arsenal--mid 90s fastball with above average carry, sweeping low to mid 80s slider, and a tailing high 80s changeup. While it is certainly possible that Dollander would be overslot at #6, the A's possession of a Competitive Balance Round A pick should give them the flexibility to get a deal done.
-Will Hoefer
7. Cincinnati Reds
Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida
The case can be made that Hurston Waldrep has the best pure stuff metrically in the 2023 draft. The fastball projects plus, the changeup projects plus or better, there’s a curveball and slider that are both legitimate weapons too. Waldrep is a fantastic athlete with a track record of punching out hitters in the best conference in the country. He fits here.
- Joe Doyle
8. Kansas City Royals
Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt
Bradfield has quite the package of tools for a team in the top fifteen and we have the Royals taking him here at eighth overall. It's not often that you find someone with Bradfield's speed, which grades out at the top of the scales. There's solid contact at the plate too, plus he's really improved his eye in 2023, having nearly two times more walks than strikeouts. That's quite impressive. There's some pop in the bat, though he's never going to be a power force. Defensively, it's about as good as it can get in center field, with very good routes and the makings of a game-changer with his speed and defensive ability. The Royals would be giddy to get him here.
-Tyler Jennings
9. Colorado Rockies
Jacob Gonzalez, Shortstop, Ole Miss
Rockies farm is thin, and more specifically they haven't shown a true vision or plan behind their moves, but you can't go wrong taking Jacob Gonzalez. With the spacious and hitter friendly confines of Coors, you can do worse than a guy with elite contact skills. Not only does he have a strong understanding for the strike zone, but he rarely swings and misses, and it isn't just contact, he makes plenty of quality line drive contact. He's hit over power, he did have 18 homers in 2022, and he presents a great body, with good lower half strength on what is still a fairly lean frame. This is guy who could hit near .300 with 15-20 homers and a high on-base, although there is some concern about how he opens up to drive balls pullside. Defensively he's an average glove, and likely a slightly below average SS at the next level, likely headed to 3B, where he has plenty of arm to handle a corner spot.
- Cameron Emamian
10. Miami Marlins
Jacob Wilson, Shortstop, Grand Canyon
All Wilson does is hit. There's not many warts in his game at the plate, hitting to all fields with ease and very, very rarely strikes out. He has only twelve strikeouts since the beginning of last spring, which is mind-blowing to think about. This is the kind of profile that can play for a long, long time in the majors. He'll get into some power every once in a while, but he's more oriented to contact and utilizing his speed on the base paths. This is kind of contact prowess that the Marlins need in their farm system and he could fast track his way to the majors.
- Tyler Jennings
11. Los Angeles Angels
Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest
The Angels dive back into the pitching trend and take the last of the top tier college arms in this draft class in Rhett Lowder. While it's a higher floor profile, Lowder has elite pitchability and a very good three-pitch mix. He can run it up to 97 MPH and routinely sits in the low-90's with his heater and there's an average slider in the low-80's, but it's his plus change-up that's the highlight. It's got parachute-esque fade in the mid-80's that he's got excellent command of. His frame and operation suggest that there's more in the tank coming from the current Wake Forest ace.
- Tyler Jennings
12. Arizona Diamondbacks
Colt Emerson, SS, John Glenn
The Diamondbacks have done a great job in recent drafts and have mainly targeted prep talents, so it should be no shock to see one of the top preps in Emerson at this spot. He had a huge summer and came into the spring having turned into a lean machine. It's stupidly quick hands with very good power in the bat, and there's a good possibility that he moves over to the hot corner and performs well there. It's a potential plus hit tool, too. This would be a great development fit.
- Tyler Jennings
13. Chicago Cubs
Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest
While the Cubs have targeted pitching early and often in the past couple of drafts, they will use the 13th pick this season to select an athletic middle-infielder, another profile they love. The last two hitters selected in the first round by Chicago both played shortstop— Ed Howard and Nico Hoerner— and Arjun Nimmala fits the mold. The athletic, super projectable shortstop from Florida posseses a great swing plane that offers a high power ceiling. Though the hit tool lags a bit behind the power, the Cubs take a shot on the overall upside with this pick.
- Daniel Garcia
14. Boston Red Sox
Blake Mitchell, Catcher, Sinton
The Red Sox lack depth in two main places in their farm. Starting Pitching and catching. They address catching (both?) here, They likely don't fix pitching although there are some scouts that like Mitchell on the mound, hitting as high as 97, but his talent mainly lies behind the plate. Extremely athletic with a projectable body and lots of present strength, there is some raw power here that will continue to develop as he matures, but his swing should also produce lots of hard, quality contact, an offensive profile you don't find in catchers often, especially not of the prep variety. Behind the dish, it's a ++ arm, as seen by his mound talents, and while there is room to grow his receiving is beyond his years and thanks to his athleticism, there is plenty of reasons to think he can be an above average defensive catcher.
- Cameron Emamian
15. Chicago White Sox
Kyle Teel, Catcher, Virginia
Teel is a unicorn, enough said there. He's one of the most proven ACC bats in this class, with the potential to hit for both average and power and he very rarely strikes out. It's excellent plate discipline. He's got the tools to stay behind the plate and his athleticism really stands out. Should he move off catcher, he's likely destined for either third base or a corner outfield spot. They've got a lengthy history with taking college bats and the opportunity may be too good to pass up for the White Sox here.
- Tyler Jennings
16. San Francisco Giants
Colin Houck, SS, Parkview
A standout performer at East Coast Pro, Colin Houck has ridden an eight month wave of momentum that takes him to San Francisco at 16. A two sport star (QB1 and starting shortstop) at Parkview HS in Lilburn, GA, Houck has above average to plus physical tools across the board and gets rave reviews for his makeup. With a prototypical body and plus athleticism, he is expected to stick at shortstop and has taken off as a hitter after committing primarily to baseball this past summer. While the Giants have traditionally leaned towards college players under Farhan Zaidi, it's getting hard to see Houck slipping past this spot.
- Will Hoefer
17. Baltimore Orioles
Colton Ledbetter, Outfield, Mississippi State
Ledbetter simply put, is just a pure hitter and true athlete. Holding exit velocities and contact rates that are near the top of the class. The former Samford Bulldog now finds himself in the SEC repping the Mississippi Bulldogs. A hot start to his 2023 season has shot him up boards but time and the rigors of SEC play will factor into just how early Ledbtter goes off the board. The O's go back to the well to find yet another data darling. Not too dissimilar from 2020 2nd overall selction Heston Kjerstad, fellow SEC outfielder.
- Tyson Tucker
18. Milwaukee Brewers
Tommy Troy, 2B, Stanford
For the third straight year, the Brewers select a college middle infielder with their first selection of the draft in Tommy Troy. Before getting injured, Troy was off to a strong start at the plate, picking up where he left off from on the Cape. Though not the biggest, the second baseman showcases big power and high EV numbers that will help carry his offensive success. In the field, Troy will primarily play second but has the athleticism to back up other infield positions if needed. With both metal and wood, the Stanford player has found success in the box because of his strong mix of power and discipline, which will give the Brewers hope that they are selecting a player who can slot in as a big-league regular for a long time.
- Daniel Garcia
19. Tampa Bay Rays
Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit
At #19, we expect Tampa Bay to take the first prep pitching prospect off the board, with Noble Meyer being the player selected. Meyer has an electric fastball that sits in the mid 90s and will get up to 98-99 early in starts, with a nasty low to mid 80s slider that has near 3000 RPMs of spin on average. Mixing in a high spin high 80s change with heavy armside run, Meyer has the big lean body and effortless stuff that offers top of the rotation upside. Even with concerns about inefficient fastball shape, this is the best pitching clay in the class.
- Will Hoefer
20. Toronto Blue Jays
Yohandy Morales, Third Base, Miami
Morales continutes the Florida connection within the Jays amateur ranks. In recent years, the Jays have also shown the propensity to add around Bo Bichette in the infield - namely Josh Kasevich, Tucker Toman, Cade Doughty in 2022. "Yo-Yo" is as well rounded as they come. Solid defensive and run traits add to a offensive profile that consistently provides barrel upon barrel. The high exit-velos and offensive profile carry the package. It's an upside play the Jays won't shy away from - if it works they're looking at an everyday 3rd baseman.
- Tyson Tucker
21. St. Louis Cardinals
Cade Kuehler, RHP, Campbell
Kuehler is the best mid-major arm out there. It's a fun four pitch mix, led off by a big fastball in the mid-90's with excellent carry. The curveball is the best secondary in the arsenal, a potential hammer in the making that's thrown in the high-70's/low 80's with great depth and bite, paired with a high-80's cutter/slider hybrid and a new splitter that has been introduced. Command has been the main issue, but there's been some work made in that department. He's an enticing option at 21, especially with how St. Louis has handled their recent arms.
- Tyler Jennings
22. Seattle Mariners
Bryce Eldridge, RHP, James Madison HS
This is going to be the first of three picks in the next ten for Seattle and they'll start off with a bit of splurge in two-way prep Bryce Eldridge. It's a very easy operation on the bump, routinely in the low-90's with an ability to run it up to 95+, pairing that with two breaking balls and a solid change-up. At the plate, Eldridge has immense power potential from the left side with loft to his swing and he showed hitterish tendencies over the summer. Kids this big with the amount of projection he has don't come around often. The upside here is excellent.
-Tyler Jennings
23. Cleveland Guardians
Brandon Sproat, RHP, Florida
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Guardians do what they do best and grab a college arm from the southeast region. Gavin Williams, Tanner Burns, Parker Messick, Logan Allen, Doug Nikhazy, Tommy Mace - to name a few. Sproat bet on himself after being taken with the 90th pick in the 2022 Draft and it looks to be paying off. An electric arm up to 99 mph, with a 4-pitch mix. The overall arensel and pitch profile do need some refinement but that's where the Guardians shine. They get their guy and a true competitor in Sproat.
- Tyson Tucker
24. Atlanta Braves
Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian
Soto is a high ceiling arm, with a 6'5 lean frame already touching as high as 98, his fastball sits in the low to mid 90's and offers plenty of arm side run, he compliments it with an sharp biting slider and a changeup that features late downhill movement, Changeup has a chance to be a big league average pitch with the fastball being + and a slider with a chance to be above average as well. There is some effort in the delivery which could be of some concern, and he does loose command at times, a product of overthrowing and maybe getting out of his mechanics, but a serious chance to be a mid rotation starter, and the braves have turned in a lot of home grown talent on the mound, and Soto could fit that bill.
- Cameron Emamian
25. San Diego Padres
Aidan Miller, 3B, JW Mitchell
All Aidan Miller does is hit, hit and hit. The Florida prepster has great feel for the barrel and has performed in nearly every stop on the summer circuit, and has shown an ability to hit high quality pitching despite a swing hitch that seems exploitable at first glance. Defensively, Miller is a long term fit at 3B, with good footwork and a strong arm that fits on the left side of any infield. He broke his hamate bone earlier in the Spring, but should be able to perform at workouts leading up to the Draft. The Padres love to take preps in the first round, and Miller fits the bill--especially since San Diego notably took an injured prep (RHP Dylan Lesko) in the first round last year.
- Will Hoefer
26. New York Yankees
Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
It's been a bit of a slow start for Taylor, but most believe he's still a first round talent and he's begun to figure things out at the plate. He's long been a quality college performer with a high walk rate and solid juice in the bat, as well as handling velocity and producing tons of contact. He's also a premier defender at the hot corner and has a cannon of a right arm. He'll need to continue turning up the heat in conference play, but there's a ton to like here and he'd fit well in the Yankees system.
- Tyler Jennings
27. Philadelphia Phillies
Cam Johnson, LHP, IMG Academy
The 4th straight high-upside premium prep. Abel, Painter, Crawford all coming from premium high schools across the US in the last three years. Johnson, from IMG Academy, continues the trend and brings a live lefty arm already up to 98 with potential for more. The overall profile will need some fine-tuning including the shape and feel for a true breaking ball. However, the Phils bet on the body and projection and their pitching development system. Who has been churning out results year-after-year.
- Tyson Tucker
28. Houston Astros
Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
Houston, we have Brockets. Wilken has been a formidable force in a daunting Wake Forest lineup the past two years and seems to have taken a step forward in 2023. His calling card is his robust power, which is easily plus at the present time. He shows patience at the plate and he's begun to use the whole field with the hit tool. He may not stick at third base, potentially moving across the diamond, but this would be a very fun fit in Houston as their next big slugger.
- Tyler Jennings
29. Seattle Mariners
Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B/OF, Huntington Beach
A large and strong frame already for his age, he represents possibly the best offensive profile of any catcher in the draft. He has a great feel for finding barrel to all fields and in game long ball power. He hits advanced pitching well and has a good understanding of the strike zone. He has little projection left and it is unclear if he can stick behind the plate, but with Harry Ford the top M's prospect, they lack power corner infielders, which may be what Velazquez becomes.
- Cameron Emamian