We're happy to introduce our final Top 500 Prospect update for the 2023 MLB Draft, featuring blurbs for the top 250 prospects on this list.
2023 MLB Draft: Top 400 Prospects - May Update
Socal Stars No. 4: Boras Classic South - Pitchers
*This article was written by Grant Carver and Cameron Emamian
Ethan Schiefelbein, LHP Orange Lutheran, 2024
The way Schiefelbein was throwing the ball when I saw him was extremely entertaining. He was aggressive while attacking the zone with his quick arm action and had twelve strikeouts thanks to his overpowering fastball and curveball combination. The fastball usually sits in the upper 80s-lower 90s and it was looking really firm in this one. The curveball was a sharp breaker that featured some impressive command, which was probably the most impressive part of the pitch. The command on those two pitches was plus in this one. He mixed in a changeup for a velocity shakeup, but it fell a little flat and needs some more refining. Schiefelbein has some projection on him too as he gets older and is listed as 6’1 right now. His two-pitch mix and the command with them specifically were super impressive, and he could be a big name for UCLA if he gets there after next year.
Matthew Champion, RHP JSerra, 2024
Almost as if his name was earned, he’s an absolute competitor on the mound. Champion moves extremely well on and off the mound as he’s very athletic and can field his position. He’s a slender frame but will likely continue to grow, but he flashed three pitches to like. The fastball has a chance to be average, he commands it well and it sets up his other pitches well, but he’ll need to add more velocity and consistency to it for it to play. He also throws a curveball that shows good depth and deception, getting good amounts of chase and swing and miss, and it is definitely his best pitch. His last pitch is a changeup, which he shows feel for and it has flashes of an above-average pitch, although he struggles with its consistency in the zone, it has good arm side fade and plays off the fastball well. At times he can rush his mechanics and lose command and he carries his emotions with him on the mound but he’s a very intriguing arm going into the 2024 draft.
Justin Lee, RHP Notre Dame, 2023
His name has been all over the draft talks, especially given the lack of California prep arms that could be drafted this year. It’s been a tumultuous spring in terms of stuff for Lee, with his velocity being all over the place but there is one thing that remains true, its pitchability and command. During his outing at the Boras, he was unable to find the breaking ball in the first and he was able to avoid trouble thanks to fastball command, where he sat 88-90 MPH, touching 91 MPH. As the start went on he flashed a slider that had a lot of depth, and was borderline looked like a curve at times but it was highly effective as he pounded fastballs at the knees. He threw the splitter less than he usually does but it still wasn’t hit by anyone, an increased usage of that pitch could be really effective for him.
Zach Strickland, RHP Maranatha, 2025
This one is interesting because Prospects Live first got a brief glimpse of the righty at Area Code Select West in a one inning sample size, but he had a whole different outing on display at the Boras. He went seven innings in a game that went into extras, and despite not having his best stuff he fought for over 105 pitches to battle, showing a three pitch mix of fastball, curveball, and a changeup. His fastball was 88-90 MPH and by the end of the game was more 85-88 MPH but for a sophomore in high school to maintain velocity that well alone was impressive. The command can be spotty at times but at his best, he’s keeping hitters off balance and works north and south frequently with the fastball and curve. The changeup needs work but an arm to keep an eye on for the future for sure.
JJ Hollis, RHP JSerra, 2023
A 6’4 righty committed to UCSB, this is a college arm who could really break out and dominate. The velocity doesn’t jump off the page for someone his size, but he threw an incredible complete-game shutout and didn’t appear to break a sweat at any point throughout. It was mostly a two-pitch mix for much of the outing, throwing from a low three-quarters arm slot, it was a sinker that ran hard into righties and took their knuckles right off their hands, and a breaking ball, which genuinely could have been a curve or a slider thanks to his arm slot being so unique, but either way it didn’t matter, he threw it with solid velocity out of the same slot and it tunneled well. He split the plate in half and ate hitters alive with it, he mostly showed a ground ball mix but he did get enough swings and misses to be intriguing. He threw a handful of changeups that showed some potential and also played off the fastball thanks to the arm slot. Command carries his profile but will be an interesting guy to watch in the future.
*The video says ‘25 Josh Hollis but it is actually JJ Hollis ‘23
Collin Clarke, RHP Santa Margarita Catholic, 2023
Clarke was a really sound and effective right-hander on the mound in the start I caught. He overcame some early control issues and went the distance, racking up eight strikeouts while doing it. He is listed at 6’2 with some room to add weight, which should give the velocity a few ticks of improvement as he gets older. The mechanics were on point and consistent, and once he got in a groove after a couple of innings he kept going. His fastball does have good run on it with some late life. His best secondary pitch is probably his slider, which almost looked like a sharp cutter during this one. He threw in a changeup that was fringe as well. The stuff overall needs improvement and did not look super flashy to me, but the results were there and the process on the mound was impressive for Clarke.
