2023 MLB Mock Draft - FINAL
Following months of anticipation, the 2023 MLB Draft is officially upon us. As Day 1 kicks off in Seattle later this evening, I’ve put together my very own day one mock that is sure to be more accurate than anything I’ve ever written. Enjoy, baseball fans!
1. Pittsburgh Pirates - Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida
I was tempted to put Skenes here because everyone I’ve spoken with during the pre-draft process has said something along the lines of “I don’t know how you pass on Skenes at 1-1.” Crews’ camp seems adamant at his $10 million number, which points me in the direction of Pittsburgh cutting a deal with Langford here.
2. Washington Nationals - Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
Everything seems to allude to this pick being between Skenes and Crews, and I lean towards the potential top-of-the-rotation horse to complement a system full of high-impact bats.
3. Detroit Tigers - Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
The Tigers would love to land Langford but this scenario forces them to go in another direction and instead pick a high-floor up-the-middle talent in Virginia’s Kyle Teel.
4. Texas Rangers - Dylan Crews, OF, LSU
A team with a history of ponying up cash for Scott Boras clients ends the “slide” of the Crews Missile.
5. Minnesota Twins - Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS (NC)
The Twins come into this draft with a ton of money to play with and could go in a number of directions barring something bizarre happening ahead of them. Jenkins has one of the highest ceilings in the class and gets outstanding marks for his off-field character.
6. Oakland A’s - Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
Because he gets on base?
7. Cincinnati Reds - Max Clark, OF, Franklin Community HS (IN)
Clark going anywhere before this pic wouldn’t surprise me but just imagine the baseball purists’ brains exploding at the boisterousness of a future lineup with Elly De La Cruz and Max Clark.
8. Kansas City Royals - Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton HS (TX)
A source told me that Mitchell is not likely to get past Kansas City, so that’s where I’ll find a landing spot for the ultra-talented prep catcher from the Lone Star State.
9. Colorado Rockies - Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest
Noble Meyer would be intriguing here but Lowder is the safest pitching bet left in this range
10. Miami Marlins - Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)
While the price may be steep, adding Meyer to a talented pitching dev team in Miami.
11. Los Angeles Angels - Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic
A small-school bat capable of moving quickly through the system, though I could certainly see one of the remaining arms going at this spot.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
The Diamondbacks have been rumored to be all over college pitching and pounce on the chance to land a player many mocked as the first overall selection early on in the draft process.
13. Chicago Cubs - Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
Shaw may end up being one of the quickest bats to the majors in this class and would be a great fit for Chicago at this spot.
14. Boston Red Sox - Kevin McGonigle, IF, Monsignor Bonner (PA)
Boston loves them some up-the-middle talent in recent years and McGonigle is as sure a bet to hit as any of the prep bats in this class.
15. Chicago White Sox - Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida
Though I’m tempted to put a bat here, I think Waldrep’s stuff is too loud to ignore even with some reliever risk in his profile.
16. San Francisco Giants - Walker Martin, SS, Eaton HS (CO)
Martin to the Giants seems to be one of the most consistent links during the entire pre-draft process, so I’ll stick with that sentiment here.
17. Baltimore Orioles - Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss
Gonzalez has one of the most impressive track records of any bat in the class and Baltimore likely wouldn’t hesitate to land him with the 17th pick in round one.
18. Milwaukee Brewers - Colt Emerson, SS, John Glenn HS (OH)
Emerson is one of my favorite bats in this class with a smooth left-handed swing and has himself plenty of suitors in the 20s should the Brewers pass on him here.
19. Tampa Bay Rays - Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)
What a coup this would be for the Rays’ organization. Nimmala is one of my favorite players in the entire class and could go as high as the top five. He would be an absolute steal with this pick in round one.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - Chase Davis, OF, Arizona
Davis’ comp to former Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez certainly plays and I think his bat would be an excellent fit for Toronto’s ballpark.
21. St. Louis Cardinals - Bryce Eldridge, RHP/OF, James Madison HS (VA)
Eldridge is a skyscraper of a human being and has plenty of thunder in the bat, not to mention being in the upper-90s on the mound. He’d be excellent clay to mold in the St. Louis player dev system.
22. Seattle Mariners - Tommy Troy, IF, Stanford
Seattle will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch on Day 1, with three picks in the top 30 and a boatload of pool money to swim in. They’re a very analytic-driven model and would jump at the chance to select Troy if he’s available with their first pick.
23. Cleveland Guardians - Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS (GA)
The Guardians have been all over prep shortstops in the pre-draft process but with Nimmala and Emerson off the board, they opt for Georgia prep standout Colin Houck.
24. Atlanta Braves - Enrique Bradfield Jr. OF, Vanderbilt
Bradfield could go much higher but I love the fit here for Atlanta with a player that gets plenty of comps to former Brave, Kenny Lofton.
25. San Diego Padres - Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor HS (IL)
Rumor has it that general manager AJ Preller is already hitting the backfields in preparation for the 2024 Draft. San Diego loves them some high-ceiling prep bats and Head is representative of that even with some things to clean up in his swing.
26. New York Yankees - Sammy Stafura, SS, Panas HS (NY)
A local product whom the team seems to clearly like still on the board and lands with the Bronx Bombers. Also keep an eye on prep righty Joey Volchko at this spot.
27. Philadelphia Phillies - Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami
One of the best team fits in the first round, the Phillies would be thrilled to land Morales ahead of several other likely suitors at the end of the first.
28. Houston Astros - Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
I struggled to find a fit for Wilken, who could go about ten picks earlier. He would be a nice get for Houston as the last official pick in round one.
29. Seattle Mariners - Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS (VA)
30. Seattle Mariners - Kendall George, OF, Atascotia HS (TX)
31. Tampa Bay Rays - Cole Carrigg, UTIL, San Diego State
32. New York Mets - Joe Whitman, LHP, Kent State
33. Milwaukee Brewers - Colton Ledbetter, OF, Mississippi State
34. Minnesota Twins - Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS (FL)
35. Miami Marlins - Tai Peete, IF, Trinity Christian HS (GA)
36. Los Angeles Dodgers - Joey Volchko, RHP, Redwood HS (CA)
37. Detroit Tigers - Mitch Jebb, IF, Michigan State
38. Cincinnati Reds - Roch Cholowsky, SS, Hamilton HS (AZ)
39. Oakland A's - Travis Sykora, Round Rock HS (TX)
