2023 Mock Draft 1.0

College baseball Opening Day means the first mock draft of the 2023 season

It’s Opening Day in college baseball, so what better time to look ahead towards July’s amateur draft?

As of today, a pair of SEC performers stand out above the pack. Beyond that, this year’s class is heavy on college infielders and right-handers, with a handful of exciting prep players.

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1. Pittsburgh Pirates- Dylan Crews, OF, LSU

Crews is the best player in this class heading into the college season. His five-tool upside and complete dismantling of SEC pitching will be too much for the rebuilding Pirates to pass on in July.

2. Washington Nationals- Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee

Dollander separated himself from the rest of the college pitchers with a dominant sophomore season, and looks like the top college arm in the last decade. The rebuilding Nats have plenty of exciting, young bats in the system, but are short on pitching talent.

3. Detroit Tigers- Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss

Gonzalez has the chance to make a major impact at the plate given his impressive batted ball profile. With a fondness for college performers, new GM Scott Harris is praying one of Crews or Dollander falls, but a polished, four-tool SEC infielder is not a bad consolation prize.

4. Texas Rangers- Max Clark, OF, Franklin Community HS (IN)

Texas needs to add players who can contribute sooner than later, but it’s hard to pass up on a player with Clark’s upside. He’s showcased an impressive combination of skills, athleticism and maturity, making him the top prep player in the class.

5. Minnesota Twins- Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida

Langford is a quality athlete with a potent bat. He could rival Crews for the top spot if he proves capable of handling center field this season, but is more likely a corner guy. Minnesota has not be known to shy away from prodigious college bats.

6. Oakland- Athletics Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS (NC)

Even after losing out in the draft lottery, Oakland could end up with either Clark or Jenkins— both of whom fit its mold and timeline. Jenkins is less of a sure thing to stick in center, but he comes with more raw power and an equally strong hit tool.

7. Cincinnati Reds- Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida

Waldrep’s stuff stands out among the non-Dollander pitchers. His upside is massive, and he will have a chance to polish his repertoire after transferring to Florida from Southern Miss. Cincinnati could use more arm talent, and have swam in the Florida player pool in the past.

8. Kansas City Royals- Jacob Wilson, 2B, Grand Canyon

Wilson has unreal bat-to-ball skills and a good glove, and he’d be a sure-fire top-10 pick with some added power. After going underslot in 2021, Kansas City went with the best available bat last season, and Wilson fits that bill here.

9. Colorado Rockies- Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS (FL)

Miller is a physical, athletic third baseman in the mold of former Rockies second-rounder Nolan Arenado. His raw power stands out in this draft class, and it would be a treat to see the ball fly off his bat in Coors Field.

10. Miami Marlins- Enrique Bradfield Jr, OF, Vanderbilt

If Bradfield is available, this feels like a no-brainer. His offensive upside is limited, but he could theoretically slide in as Miami’s center fielder right away, with 80-grade run and field tools. The bat could use some polishing, though— especially with next-to-no power potential.

11. Los Angeles Angels- Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest

Right in the mix for this year’s second-ranked arm, Lowder is sturdy and durable, with a better combination of stuff and control than that of any right-hander to come through the Angels’ system in years. Expect Perry Minasian to continue loading up on college pitchers until all the team’s problems are solved.

12. Arizona Diamondbacks- Paul Skenes, 1B/RHP, LSU

Skenes is big and physical with two-way potential, but most of his upside comes on the mound, where he boasts a dangerous fastball/slider combo. Arizona typically leans towards high-upside prep bats or college arms early in drafts.

13. Chicago Cubs- Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU

Chicago has had its most success developing college bats— a demographic it hasn’t targeted in the first round since 2018. Taylor is a high-floor hitter with excellent plate discipline and bat-to-ball skills.

14. Boston Red Sox- Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)

Among the youngest in the class, Nimmala is athletic, toolsy and projectable, with a good chance to stick at short. Chaim Bloom has prioritized prep bats since arriving in Boston— particularly those from California and Florida.

15. Chicago Sox- Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (MA)

In a class short on both lefties and prep arms, White could even land inside the top 10. Chicago has valued hard-throwing, projectable southpaws in recent years.

16. San Francisco Giants- Kevin McGonigle, 2B, Monsignor Bonner HS (PA)

With a new regime in San Francisco, it makes sense to go best player available. McGonigle is a small, quick-twitch athlete with a very impressive hit tool. His size may push him over to second base, but he could be a quick mover regardless.

17. Baltimore Orioles- Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)

With a projectable frame and a promising pitch mix, Meyer is firmly in the conversation for top prep arm. Baltimore has a ton of talent in the upper minors, and can start working on the next wave.

18. Milwaukee Brewers- Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami

Morales is one of the more impactful bats in college baseball, with plus power from the right side. His strong arm fits well at third, where he could he playing for the Brewers sooner than later if he can improve upon his plate discipline.

19. Tampa Bay Rays- Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland

Tampa has made it clear it values bat-first infielders. Lately it has been prep hitters, but Shaw is an intriguing option for the Rays. Questions about his future defensive remain, but he’s super athletic and his bat should play just about anywhere.

20. Toronto Blue Jays- Maui Ahuna, SS, Tennessee

Toronto has targeted best player available, and here that is the toolsy shortstop Ahuna. This feels unlikely, though, as the Kansas transfer has a chance to catapult into the top tier of bats or fall out of the first round depending on his performance in his first year in Knoxville.

21. St. Louis Cardinals- Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison HS (VA)

A potential two-way player, the 6-foot-7 Eldridge boasts enormous power both at the plate and on the mound. There may some appeal to honoring his Alabama commitment in order to play both ways, but if the Cardinals are willing to let him do the same, they could come away with the most exciting prep player in the class.

22. Seattle Mariners- Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina

Sanders is a big, projectable right-hander who certainly fits the physical mold that Seattle has been able to develop over the last few years. His command is a work in progress, but the front-line-rotation upside is obvious.

23. Cleveland Guardians- Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn HS (OH)

As a young infielder with strong bat-to-ball skills, Emerson is a perfect fit for the Guardians’ model. Despite being on the smaller side, he has the actions and arm strength to handle either spot on the left side of the infield.

24. Atlanta Braves- Teddy McGraw, RHP, Wake Forest

Oh look, another Wake Forest arm for the Braves. McGraw has possibly the most complete pitch mix in the class, with the durability of a mid-rotation starter. Missing some more bats in 2023 could solidify his first-round status.

25. San Diego Padres- Roch Cholowsky, SS, Hamilton HS (AZ)

An athletic shortstop with excellent defensive skills, Cholowsky may be tough to sign away from his two-sport commitment to UCLA. Still, he’s projectable with enough upside at the plate to warrant a first-round selection by a Padres team desperate to replenish its system.

26. New York Yankees- Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford

Troy may not have eye-opening upside at the plate, but he does boast strong plate discipline and barrel control, with surprising power. He should stay up the middle in some capacity— a trait the Yankees clearly value. Building off his strong showing on the Cape in his junior season could bump him up earlier in the first round.

27. Philadelphia Phillies- Kyle Teel, C, Virginia

At the moment, Teel is the only college catcher worthy of first-round consideration. He offers good athleticism and a strong arm, with the ability to hit for average and power. Phillies doesn’t have any holes in its offense, but he could be a perfect replacement for J.T. Realmuto down the line.

28. Houston Astros- Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia

Gelof, who has a good chance to be picked earlier than his brother was in 2021, is among the most accomplished hitters eligible for this year’s draft. Houston’s system has been depleted over the last few years, particularly with infielders.

29. Seattle Mariners- Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton HS (TX)

Mitchell is an appealing two-way catcher who, given his strong receiving skills and cannon for an arm, should have no trouble staying behind the dish. He also boasts lots of raw power without too much swing-and-miss. With three picks in the top 30, Seattle has the means to pay up for him.

30. Seattle Mariners- Jack Hurley, OF, Virginia Tech

Hurley has five average-or-better tools and a track record of production in the ACC. In a shallow outfield class, he could even move up with another strong season. Seattle likes to supplement its higher-upside players with proven college bats.

31. Tampa Bay Rays- Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas

Witt only made two starts before tearing his UCL last February, and may not pitch at all in 2023. But Tampa has never been afraid of taking risks early in drafts, and the right-hander has some of the highest upside in this class, with a massive frame and premium stuff. 

32. New York Mets- Alex Mooney, SS, Duke

The Mets’ pick dropped 10 spots due to luxury tax implications. Mooney is the kind of hit-over-power infielder Billy Eppler has targeted, and a strong sophomore season could see him rise up draft boards in a college class lacking middle infield talent beyond the top tier.

33. Milwaukee Brewers- Travis Honeyman, OF, Boston College

Honeyman isn’t particularly toolsy, but his skillset is well-rounded, with excellent bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility. Milwaukee has a tendency to double-dip into the college position player pool with its first two picks.

34. Minnesota Twins- Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Oklahoma State

With electric stuff, Watts-Brown looks to make a jump as Oklahoma State’s new Friday night starter. He’s athletic and projectable, with exciting stuff that could entice the Twins with their second pick.

35. Miami Marlins- Travis Sykora, RHP, Round Rock HS (TX)

Sykora is physically mature for his age, with electric stuff and a clean delivery. Miami has done well developing its young arms, and Sykora could be the most talented one it’s drafted since max Meyer.

36. Los Angeles Dodgers- Grayson Hitt, LHP, Alabama

The Dodgers are likely to target college arms after going bat-heavy last year, and with no Louisville players worthy of this spot, they grab a lefty from the same region. Hitt is super projectable with plus stuff.

37. Detroit Tigers- Ryan Lasko, OF, Rutgers

Lasko is toolsy and athletic, with improving contact skills and the ability to play all three outfield positions. Scott Harris has a history of doubling down on the same demographic with his first two picks, and also isn’t afraid to dip into the northeast.

38. Cincinnati Reds- Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest

A poor showing in his second summer on the Cape hurt his stock, but he has the most raw power in the class, and will have a chance to bounce back this spring. The Reds have been willing to overlook flaws in favor of game-changing power in the past.

39. Oakland Athletics- Cade Kuehler, RHP, Campbell

Kuehler has the size and stuff to be a first-rounder, but needs a strong showing in 2023 in order to stave off higher-upside arms. Oakland also happens to love college pitchers from the Carolinas.