2023 MLB Draft Combine: Day 2 Scouting Notebook
The third annual MLB Draft Combine continued at Chase Field on Wednesday and after getting a look at several rounds of batting practice and infield drills, here are some more scouting nuggets for the readers out there to chew on:
San Diego State multi-positional star Cole Carrigg made his presence known at the start of infield drills, popping a 100 mph throw across the diamond from short and 102 mph from the outfield later in the day. A switch-hitter with good barrel control and quick hands, neither outfield nor shortstop is likely to be his primary position in pro ball. Instead, I like the athletic former Aztec at catcher - where he registered pop times in the low 1.8s during catching drills. There isn’t much power in the bat to speak of but Carrigg has already proven to scouts he can produce against premium competition by slashing .329/.388/.399 on the Cape last summer. I can’t picture him falling out of the 25-40 range on draft day - with his floor being that of a valuable super utility type type.
Local product Roch Cholowsky (Chandler, AZ) didn’t have to travel very far for this week’s Combine festivities but managed to do everything he needed to in solidifying himself as a top 20 pick. The son of a current Reds scout, Cholowsky displays extremely fluid actions and plenty of arm strength from short to stick there at the next level. The bat has also come around quite a bit and might come into more game power as he fills out his athletic 6’2” frame over the next few seasons.
Prep shortstops from the Golden State impressed during BP and infield work - including Eric Bitonti (Hesperia, CA) and Trent Caraway (Dana Point, CA). Bitonti displayed big time bat speed and juice to all fields from the left side, as well as fluid actions at shortstop despite his 6’4” frame. Meanwhile, Caraway registered several 104+ exit velocities with quick hands and solid barrel control. He has a strong arm but could stand to clean up his footwork a bit in order to stick at short in the future.
Auburn commit Braden Holcomb (Ocoee, FL) put on an impressive show in his batting practice round, depositing one 407 ft. home run off a 107 EV. Holcomb is extremely strong in his upper half with excellent rotation and minimal effort in his load. He may be a bit too stiff to stay at shortstop long term but there are no doubts that he can tap into the power required for a move over to third base.
Jonny Farmelo (Centreville, VA) has bat speed in spades and seems like the type of prep player capable of moving quickly through a team’s minor league system. He displayed impressive pull side power but his current commitment to the University of Virginia may be the biggest factor in whether he’ll be playing professional baseball or on campus in Charlottesville at this time next year.
Another prep shortstop continuing to climb up draft boards is Tai Peete (Tyrone, GA). Peete oozes athleticism both in the field and at the plate, which could help him further tap into his plus raw power grade. He displays excellent body control and wrapped up his BP session with a moonshot home run to right field. This is exactly the type of player a team in the 20-30 range could certainly take a look at as a worthwhile overslot pick.
Oregon’s Sabin Ceballos continued to prove why he’s one of the most valuable defenders in this draft at third base, showcasing a whippy, fluid arm and excellent instincts and body control. The JC transfer and Puerto Rico native was also a revelation at the plate for the Ducks this season, slashing .333/.426/.643 with 18 home runs.
Nazzan Zanetello (Florissant, MO) was fluid at short during infield drills and displays some surprising pop in the bat from his lean, athletic frame. Another athletic shortstop prospect and likely top-100 pick, Antonio Anderson (Atlanta, GA) has the athleticism and arm strength capable sticking at shortstop at the next level. Overall, I felt he looked a bit more comfortable in the cage hitting from the left side than the right.
That’s all I have for day two coverage of the 2023 MLB Draft Combine. Be sure to stay tuned for more news and notes throughout the week here at Diamond Daily.
