2023 MLB Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-28

Find out who the Pittsburgh Pirates take with the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 9, 2023.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes, P, LSU
   
   
   Ben Cherrington has reloaded the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect pool with strong drafts in the 2020 and 2021 MLB Draft where Pittsburgh dominated in the first three rounds of the MLB Draft in each of the last two seasons. Pittsburgh got value once again in the 2022 MLB Draft. Pittsburgh has the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft thanks to winning the first MLB Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   There are five blue chip players projected to go in the top 5 of the 2023 MLB Draft. This group features LSU center fielder Dylan Crews, LSU starting pitcher Paul Skenes, Florida left fielder Wyatt Langford, Walter Jenkins a left fielder from South Brunswick High School in North Carolina whose considered the top High School batter in the country, and Max Clark a center fielder on Franklin High School in Indiana. There are rumors that Pittsburgh is leaning towards a batter and has narrowed their pick down to four players with Paul Skenes, Wyatt Langford, Walter Jenkins, and Max Clark in play as they are going to underslot the first pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   LSU won the 2023 College World Series in large part to center fielder Dylan Crews and friday night starter Paul Skenes who was the number one ace pitcher for LSU starting on Friday Nights. Scott Boras, the agent of Dylan Crews wants $10 million a year plus bonuses for the LSU outfielder whose been the consensus top prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft dating back to September prior to the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery that the Pittsburgh Pirates won in December which allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to move up from 1 to 3.
   
   
   
   You may have to pay Paul Skenes the maximum slot value of $9,721,000, but I think that is worth it when you consider that Paul Skenes is the best pitcher to enter the MLB Draft since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. Many consider Paul Skenes to be a better overall prospect that former Pittsburgh Pirates number one pick Gerrit Cole who the Pirates took first overall out of UCLA in 2011. Pittsburgh has $16,185,700 to spend on their bonus pool for the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-6 247 lb Paul Skenes began his career at Air Force prior to transferring to LSU in 2023 with the Air Force manager telling the future LSU manager who managed at Arizona prior to going to LSU in 2022 that Paul Skenes was a future first round pick stating that he's too good to spend all three years at Air Force. Paul Skenes won co freshman of the year along with LSU center fielder Dylan Crews at Air Force in 2021. Paul Skenes had a 2.96 ERA and a 96 strikeouts during his sophomore season winning Co Mountain West Pitcher Of The Year in 2022. Skenes also limited opponents batting averages to .224 or lower while also batting .341 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs, and 38 RBI's in 2022.
   
   
   
   Paul Skenes had a 1.69 ERA posting a 13-2 record pitching 122.2 innings while leading the NCAA with 209 strikeouts on LSU winning SEC Pitcher Of The Year 2023. Paul Skenes also had 2 complete games with LSU. Paul Skenes pitched 120 pitches in 8 innings in his final start against Wake Forest without giving up a run.
   
   
   
   Paul Skenes has a 100 mile per hour 4-seam fastball, a 99 mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a 85 mile per hour slider, an 89 mile per hour power slider with more velocity than your typical slider almost like a power curveball, an 88 mile per hour changeup, and a power changeup that goes up to 93 miles per hour. Most say Skenes biggest knock is that he's limited to three pitches, but he actually has six plus pitches if you take his variety of pitches into account.
   
   
   
   Pittsburgh would have Paul Skenes or this years number one starter Mitch Keller as the ace pitcher with the other pitcher being a really good number two starter. Quinn Priester Pittsburgh's 2019 first round pick is undefeated in AAA with the Indianapolis Indians and would be the number three starter. Anthony Solomento would be your number four as Solomento is showing a lot of promise on the Altoona Curve as he was a high school pitcher in my top twenty that fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft. Pittsburgh could choose between Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, or an additional starting pitcher at the 2025 MLB Trade deadline once the Pirates have an established rotation of Skenes, Keller, Priester, and Solomento since all four pitchers are projected to be in the MLB by the start of 2025 which would open up the window of opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates to contend in 2025.
   
   
   
   Ben Cherington's first round picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB Draft have already made the MLB. Former New Mexico State second baseman Nick Gonzales is now the starting shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates while former Louisville catcher Henry Davis is currently playing right fielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates having an established catcher. Pittsburgh also has veterans like Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Santana that are great mentors for the short term while Gonzales and Davis develop. Termarr Johnson, Pittsburgh's 2022 first round pick who was first on the Pittsburgh Pirates big board could be up by 2025 too and may be up by 2026 at the very latest. Drafting Skenes could be the final piece in Pittsburgh's tedious rebuild.
   
   
   
2. Washington Nationals: Dylan Crews, CF, LSU
   
   
   The Washington Nationals want one of the two LSU players at 2 and with $8,998,500 to spend on the second overall pick as well as a slot pool of $14,502,400 dollars you have to think the Nationals will pay the best LSU player on the board at 2 after dropping from 1 to 2 in the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery. If Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes were both available, the Washington Nationals would take Paul Skenes at 2. In this scenario, the Washington Nationals get Dylan Crews.
   
   
   
   Washington would have an outfield trio of James Wood their top minor league prospect at left fielder, Dylan Crews at center fielder, and Elijah Green their 2022 first round pick at right fielder. Those outielders would give the Washington Nationals an identity in the outifeld down the road. Dylan Crews is versatile enough to play right fielder, but Crews projects to have more long term success at center fielder than either James Wood or Elijah Green in the MLB.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 205 lb Dylan Crews had a .362 batting average, 12 doubles, 18 home runs, 42 RBI's, 64 runs, and 12 stolen bases as a true freshman at LSU in 2021 after withdrawing from the 2020 MLB Draft despite having a first round grade. Dylan Crews had a .349 batting average, 22 home runs, 72 RBI's, 73 runs, and finishing fifth in the country in on base percentage in 2022 winning SEC Player Of The Year as a sophomore in 2022.
   
   
   
   Dylan Crews entered his junior season as the unanimous favorite to go first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft as many touted him as the best batter to enter the MLB Draft since Bryce Harper was drafted first overall in the 2010 MLB Draft. Dylan Crews had a .426 batting average, 16 doubles, 18 home runs, 70 RBI's 100 runs scored, and a 1.000 fielding percentage in 2023. Dylan Crews led the NCAA in walks with 71 and was second in on base percentage with a .567 on base percentage while leading LSU to the 2023 College World Series where LSU defeated Florida to win the 2023 College World Series. Dylan Crews won the 2023 Golden Spikes Award for best player in College Baseball while also winning SEC Player Of The Year for the second year in a row.
   
   
   
   Dylan Crews demonstrated traits of a 5-tool batter that can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, bunt, and throw the ball effectively. His fielding percentage is impeccable. He's versatile enough to play left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. Dylan Crews is the clear cut number one prospect, but if his teammate Paul Skenes goes first then Crews should be the second overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Detroit Tigers: Wyatt Langford, LF, Florida
   
   
   Detroit drafts the best player on the board at three as the Detroit Tigers have $8,341,700 to spend on the third overall pick and $15,747,200 to spend on all of their draft picks in the 2023 MLB Draft after moving up from 6 to 3 in the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery. Florida Gators left fielder Wyatt Langford is the perfect piece for the Detroit Tigers at 3 since he's the best player on the board while also filling a position of need.
   
   
   
   Detroit would have Wyatt Langford at left fielder, Riley Greene at center fielder, and Matt Vierling at right fielder to compliment first baseman Spencer Torkelson who was drafted first overall in the 2020 MLB Draft. Detroit would have a strong outfield to compliment first baseman Spencer Torkelson the first pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. Texas Tech shortstop Josh Jung is the younger brother of Texas Rangers 2019 first round pick Jace Jung and he's also the Detroit Tigers 2022 first round pick due to his versatility to play anywhere in the infield.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 225 lb Wyatt Langford had a .355 batting average, an SEC best 26 home runs, 63 RBI's and a 1.000 fielding percentage going 125/125 on fielding opportunities in his first full season as a starter in 2022. Wyatt Langford had a .373 batting average, 28 doubles, 21 home runs, 57 RBI's, and a .991 fielding percentage while getting Florida to the Championship of the 2023 College World Series in 2023. Florida was the last of the eight teams to lose in the 2023 College World Series and was undefeated before losing the first game of their three game series to LSU. Florida won game 2 of that championship round before LSU won that series.
   
   
   
   Wyatt Langford demonstrated traits of a 5-tool batter that can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, bunt, and throw the ball effectively. His fielding percentage is impeccable. He's versatile enough to play left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes are the top two players, but the clear cut third best player is Wyatt Langford.
   
   
   
4. Texas Rangers: Walker Jenkins, LF, South Brunswick HS (NC)
   
   
   The Texas Rangers grab the best player on the board at 4 and will probably draft the top High School batter unless one of the top three in Crews, Skenes, or Langford drops to 4. The Texas Rangers have $7,698,000 to spend on their first round pick and a bonus pool of $9,925,300 to spend on their entire bonus pool for the 2023 MLB Draft after moving up from 7 to 4 in the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery.
   
   
   
   Walker Jenkins is being touted by many as the best High School player in the 2023 MLB Draft. He's the best high school player in the state of North Carolina since Josh Hamilton went first overall.
   
   
   
   The 6-3 210 lb Walker Jenkins had a .417 batting average with 25 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases as a freshman in 2020. Walter Jenkins had a .436 batting average with 4 home runs, 8 RBI's, and 16 stolen bases in 2021 before suffering a hamstring injury as a sophomore. Walker Jenkins had a .527 batting average, 10 home runs, 40 RBI's, and 18 stolen bases while winning Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in North Carolina in 2022. Walter Jenkins had a .417 batting average as a senior winning Gatorade High School Player Of The Year for the second year in a row in 2023. Walter Jenkins had a fielding percentage of .978 throughout his four years with the South Brunswick Panthers in North Carolina while posting a 4.5 GPA in High School.
   
   
   
   Walker Jenkins demonstrated traits of a 5-tool batter that can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, bunt, and throw the ball effectively. His fielding percentage is good enough to get the job done which is why he's a top 5 prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   The Texas Rangers would have Walter Jenkins at left fielder as a successor to 33-year-old Robbie Grossman, Leody Taveras at center fielder whose only 24, and Adolis Garcia at right fielder. Texas currently has Jace Jung their 2019 first round pick at third baseman, Corey Seager at shortstop, and Marcus Semien at second baseman.
   
   
   
   Texas has a good core of batters. Nathan Eovaldi and Dane Dunning have both stepped up as starting pitchers for the Texas Rangers in 2023 even with Jacob deGrom suffering a season ending injury. Texas also has Jack Leiter their 2021 first round pick from Vanderbilt, Kumar Rocker their 2022 first round pick from Vanderbilt, and Brock Porter a 2022 first round High School pitcher that fell to the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Texas leads the AL West by 2 games heading into the 2023 MLB Draft even without their top pitching prospects up in the majors.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Minnesota Twins: Max Clark, CF, Franklin HS (IN)
   
   
   The Minnesota Twins draft Max Clark the consensus fifth best player in the 2023 MLB Draft with $7,139,700 to spend on the fifth overall pick and $14,345,600 to spend on draft picks in the 2023 MLB Draft after moving up from 13 to 5 in the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery which only applies to the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Max Clark is the final blue chip player that's projected to in the top 5. He's even gained some traction to Pittsburgh at one even though that would be an awful decision for the Pirates, and there's no doubt in my mind that the Minnesota Twins will take him at 5 if he's there. There's also rumors about drafting Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez, but the Twins are loaded at shortstop and drafted Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee in the 2022 MLB Draft, so I'm not buying that rumor.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 190 lb Max Clark had a .557 batting average, 9 home runs, 42 runs, and 32 RBI's as a junior winning Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in Indiana in 2022. Max Clark had a .646 batting average, 6 home runs, 33 `RBI's, and 45 runs as a senior winning Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in 2023.
   
   
   
   Max Clark demonstrated traits of a 5-tool batter that can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, bunt, and throw the ball effectively. His fielding percentage is good enough to get the job done which is why he's a top 5 prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Minnesota already has Alex Kirilloff at first baseman, Carlos Correa at shortstop, Royce Lewis at third baseman, Joey Gallo at left fielder, Max Kepler at right fielder, and Byron Buxton who moved from center fielder to designated hitter. The Minnesota Twins also have a great starting five featuring pitchers like Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray, and Joe Ryan as their top three pitchers. If Tyler Mahle returns from the 60 day IL then Minnesota could have a fourth starter. Bailey Ober has been respectable for a number five starter with a 2.70 ERA.
   
   
   
6. Oakland Athletics: Rhett Lowder, P, Wake Forest
   
   
   The Oakland Athletics take a pitcher that would go in the top five of the MLB Draft in any other year at 6. Oakland has $6,634,000 to spend on the sixth overall pick and $14,255,600 to spend on prospects in the 2023 MLB Draft. After the top five, this is really where the 2023 MLB Draft begins since Oakland could take either TCU third baseman Brayden Taylor, Virginia catcher Kyle Teel despite having Shea Langliers at catcher, or Wake Forest pitcher Rhett Lowder.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 200 lb Rhett Lowder went 4-2 in 12 starts as a freshman while posting a 6.12 ERA and 78 strikeouts as a freshman in 2021. Rhett Lowder posted a 3.08 ERA along with a 2.60 ERA in ACC play going 11-3 in 99.1 innings pitched with 105 strikeouts while winning ACC Pitcher Of The Year as a sophomore in 2022. Rhett Lowder had a 1.87 ERA with 143 stikeouts while going 15-0 on the season in 19 starts while pitching six innings in those fifteen starts as a junior winning ACC Pitcher Of The Year for the second year in a row in 2023 helping Wake Forest get the top seed in the 2023 College World Series before being eliminated by evetual College World Series Champion LSU where LSU and Wake Forest went scoreless into the eleventh inning due to Paul Skenes and Rhett Lowder.
   
   
   
   Rhett Lowder has a 94 mile per hour 4-seam fastball and a 95 mile per hour 2-seam fastball. Rhett Lowder also has a 86 mile per hour changeup and a 82 mile per hour slider. Rhett Lowder can get additional velocity on his fastball and changeups because he uses quite a bit of sink on both his fastball and changeup with his sinker being a potential fifth plus pitch. Rhett Lowder has the best command and control from a pitcher in the 2023 MLB Draft, but his velocity and ERA isn't on par with Paul Skenes which is why he's the second best pitcher in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Rhett Lowder would be the number one starter in the Athletics rotation by the time the Oakland Athletics relocate to Las Vegas. He could be the number one stater for the Athletics when the new stadium in Las Vegas is projected to open in 2028.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Cincinnati Reds: Chase Dollander, P, Tennessee
   
   
   The Cincinnati Reds have $6,634,000 to spend on the seventh pick in the 2023 MLB Draft assuming the Reds want to pay without overslotting or overpaying their 2023 first round pick and can spend up to $13,785,200 on their pool of prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft. I know a lot of Cincinnati Reds fans want Wake Forest pitcher Rhett Lowder at 7 if he's there, but I think the Athletics take him at 6.
   
   
   
   This leaves Virgina catcher Kyle Teel and Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander as your options at 7. What makes this situation more complicated is that Teel is the best player on the board, but Dollander fills the bigger need and could be potentially called up for the 2023 MLB Playoffs if the Cincinnati Reds happen to win the NL Central in a division that the Reds currently lead.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 200 lb Chase Dollander went 4-3 as a freshman in 12 starts at Georgia Southern in 2021. Chase Dollander transferred from Georgia Southern to Tennessee following his freshman season.
   
   
   
   Chase Dollander 10-0 in 14 starts pitching sixteen games in his first season with the Tennessee Volunteers posting a 2.39 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 79 innings pitched as a sophomore winning SEC Pitcher Of The Year in 2022. Chase Dollander entered the season as the top pitcher in the 2023 MLB Draft, but regressed going 7-6 with a 4.70 ERA in his junior season in 2023. Chase Dollander still threw 120 strikeouts in 2023 while helping Tennessee get to the 2023 College World Series despite this as Tennessee got eliminated by eventual College World Series Champion LSU.
   
   
   
   Chase Dollander has a 95 mile per hour fastball, an 86 mile per hour slider, a 88 mile per hour changeup, and a 76 mile per hour curveball. Chase Dollander has the worst ERA of the four pitchers projected to go in the top 10 of the 2023 MLB Draft, yet he's the only pitcher in that group of four that can throw a curveball and that's the big reason he's still in my top ten for now. Dollander also showed a ton of composure when trailing Southern Mississippi during the Super Regionals at the 2023 College World Series before rallying Tennessee to a win after Southern Miss took a 4 to 0 lead in the first before Dollander threw 5 scoreless innings in a comeback win by Tennessee.
   
   
   
   The Cincinnati Reds already have Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo two pitchers Cincinnati drafted in the first round of the 2017 and 2019 MLB Draft as their top two starting pitchers. Andrew Abbott is 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA and could be a good number three starter. The Reds would have Chase Dollander as a number four starter in the MLB in a role that might suit him well.
   
   
   
   Cincinnati also has a good core of batters including Tyler Stephenson their 2015 first round pick at catcher, Joey Votto at first baseman, Jonathan India their 2018 first round pick at second baseman, Elly De La Cruz at third baseman whose taken the MLB by storm, Matt McLain their 2021 first round pick out of UCLA at shortstop, former LSU outfielder Jake Fraley is the left fielder, Nick Senzel the Reds 2016 first round pick transitioned from third baseman to center fielder and is the last top ten pick out of Tennessee, and Will Benson is the right fielder. Overall, the Reds have a fantastic core of batters and can groom their 2022 first round pick Corbin Carroll a High School third baseman to be their designated hitter.
   
   
   
   Tyler Stephenson's contract with the Reds runs through 2027 as Stephenson enters year 1 of arbitration after this season. Unless the Reds want to move on from Tyler Stephenson and have a viable replacement than taking Chase Dollander over Kyle Teel makes more sense for the Reds if they want to go the College route because the Reds also currently have Jackson Miller their 2020 second round pick from Mitchell High School in their prospect pool as well.
   
   
   
8. Kansas City Royals: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
   
   
   The Kansas City Royals have $5,980,000 to spend on the eighth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft assuming the Royals want to pay without overslotting or overpaying their 2023 first round pick and can spend up to $12,313,500 on their pool of prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft. Even though Kansas City needs more pitching prospects, one player that the Royals reportedly love is Virginia Cavaliers catcher Kyle Teel.
   
   
   
   The Royals have Brady Singer, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, and Jackson Kowar as starting pitchers. You also got Asa Lacy the Kansas City Royals 2020 first round pick as a future prospect. None of these pitchers have steppe up for the Royals and it's at the tipping point where you are asking if it is time to move on. The Kansas City Royals director of amateur scouting said we're taking the best player on our board at 8, but that he also expects college and High School batters to be a majority of the picks in the top half of the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Kansas City also has Salvador Perez at catcher, Nick Pratto a 2017 first round pick at first baseman, Michael Massey the Kansas City Royals 2019 fourth round pick at second baseman, Bobby Witt Jr. the second overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft at shortstop, Maikel Garcia at third baseman. The Royals have a good infield, but their outfield is awful. Kansas City spent their 2022 first round pick on Virginia Tech right fielder Gavin Cross who can also play designated hitter. Also there's no outfielder that warrants being selected eighth overall.
   
   
   
   Salvador Perez is the only member of the 2015 Kansas City Royals World Series team still on this roster nad he got named the team captain of the Kansas City Royals heading into the 2023 MLB Season. He was also the catcher in the 2014 World Series that the Royals lost to the San Francisco Giants. Salvador Perez is under contract with the Royals until 2027, so if you draft Kyle Teel here then you can keep him in the minor leagues until 2027 and he should be ready to step in at catcher by the time Salvador Perez becomes a Free Agent.
   
   
   
   The 6-1 190 lb Kyle Teel had a .407 batting average and 13 home runs while winning ACC Player Of The Year in 2023. Kyle Teel got Virginia to the 2023 College World Series, but did not do much in Omaha.
   
   
   
   Kyle Teel isn't a 5-tool batter, but he has other traits in his game to make up for it. He has a quick arm, a .992 fielding percentage or better in all three seasons at Virginia, is versatile enough to play in the infield and outfield as well as catcher, plus his baseball IQ is through the roof. His leadership traits are outstanding, but he's got to become more consistent as a batter. Kyle Teel can improve as a batter in the next three years at a rapid pace and should be ready by 2027 if Kansas City drafts him eighth overall.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Colorado Rockies: Noble Meyer, P, Jesuit HS (OR)
   
   
   The Colorado Rockies have $5,716,900 to spend on the ninth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft assuming the Rockies want to pay without overslotting or overpaying their 2023 first round pick and can spend up to $11,909,800 on their pool of prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft. Colorado's starting rotation is awful, so I'm giving the Colorado Rockies the top High School pitcher in the 2023 MLB Draft.
   
   
   
   Mick Abel from Jesuit High School was the top High School pitcher in the 2020 MLB Draft. Noble Meyer was just a freshman when Abel graduated, but took his place as the number one starter during his sophomore reason picking up where Abel left off.
   
   
   
   The 6-5 185 lb Noble Meyer had a 0.72 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 58.1 innings pitched in 2022. Noble Meyer had a 10-2 record, a 0.40 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched as a senior in 2023 with one of his two losses coming to Cavalry Christian High School which was the number one ranked High School in the country at the time. Noble Meyer only gave up 1 run in 13 innings in his wo losses on the year.
   
   
   
   Noble Meyer has a 95 mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a 82 mile per hour slider with quite a bit of spin on it, and a 84 mile per hour changeup. He's got three plus pitches, but his ERA is consistent right now despite not having that fourth plus pitch in his arsenal.
   
   
   
   Taking High School pitchers in the top top ten is risky, buy Prep Baseball Report awarded Noble Meyer the Oregon Player Of The Year in 2022 and 2023. Noble Meyer is the one High School pitcher that was consistent enough to warrant a top 10 selection.
   
   
   
10. Miami Marlins: Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
    
    
    The Miami Marlins have $5,475,300 to spend on the tenth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft assuming the Marlins want to pay without overslotting or overpaying their 2023 first round pick and can spend up to $12,829,600 on their pool of prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft. Miami takes the top batter on the board to develop for the future with the tenth pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 180 lb Brayden Taylor had a .308 batting average and hit 23 home runs for TCU getting them to the 2023 College World Series in 2023. Brayden Taylor's batting average and triples decreased in each season while his doubles, home runs, and slugging percentage improved in each season. Brayden Taylor had a batting average of .308 or higher in all three seasons at TCU while also posting 10 or more home runs and 10 or more stolen bases. He also averaged a .940 fielding percentage during his three seasons at TCU. Brayden Taylor was mainly a third baseman, but the versatility to play shortstop and second baseman is there as well.
    
    
    
    Miami has Sandy Alcantara, Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett their 2016 first round pick, and Eury Perez as their top four starting pitchers. A fifth starter hasn't emerged yet.
    
    
    
    Miami has Jacob Berry their 2022 first round pick being groomed to be the future first baseman behind Garrett Cooper. Jean Segura played for the Philadelphia Phillies during their run to the 2022 World Series before signing with the Miami Marlins at third baseman and Brayden Taylor would be a nice successor to him. Jacob Amaya the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp shortstop could be the Marlins future shortstop, and Kahlil Watson, the Miami Marlins 2021 first round pick struggled at shortstop, but began to mature and improve at second baseman. Watson is still in A, but he is a player who could be the Marlins future second baseman. The Marlins are a squad with solid short term infielders, and could have a really strong infield down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim: Aiden Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS (FL)
    
    
    Outside of Shohei Ohtani this starting rotation is awful. I do like the infield featuring Mike Moustakas at first baseman, Brandon Drury at second baseman, Zack Neto at shortstop, and Anthony Rendon at third baseman. Mike Trout is a top five batter when healthy at center fielder with Taylor Ward at left fielder and Hunter Renfrow at right fielder. Mikey Moniak is a solid option for a utility outielder as well.
    
    
    
    The Angels draft a third baseman to groom as a successor to Anthony Rendon. The Angels are currently the only MLB team with a 2022 first round pick in the MLB heading into the 2023 MLB Draft thanks to top 10 prospect Zack Neto a shortstop from Campbell falling to the Angels at 13 in the 2022 MLB Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 205 lb Aiden Miller would be a long-term project with Anthony Rendon's contract running through 2027. Aiden Miiller had a .403 batting average, 3 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a .930 fielding percentage. as a junior in 2022 before winning a High School Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium leading up to the 2022 MLB All Star Game. He missed most of 2023, but he's potentially a batter on the board with 5-tool potential down the road still available down the road.
    
    
    
12. Arizona Diamondbacks: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton HS (TX)
    
    
    The Arizona Diamondbacks need a catcher. Arizona drafts a catcher that dominated the 2023 MLB Combine much earlier than most expect.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 202 lb Blake Mitchell had a .465 batting average, 49 runs, 46 hits, 52 RBI's, 17 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 7 stolen bases, and a .982 fielding percentage as a junior in 37 games on a Sinton High School Team that won the 4A State Championship while winning Gatorade High School Player Of The Year in Texas in 2022. Blake Mitchell had a .452 batting average, 42 hits, 41 RBI's, 15 doubles, 0 triples, 6 home runs, 44 stolen bases, and a 1.000 fielding percentage as a senior while carrying a 4.5 GPA in 2023.
    
    
    
    Blake Mitchell like Max Clark whose projected to go in the top 5 dominated the 2023 MLB Combine. Blake Mitchell believes he can make an impact on a big league lineup and has the confidence MLB organizations desire. He also played pitcher in High School, but will mainly play catcher once he gets to the MLB. MLB Network having fun with Mitchell by asking him how to grow his hair out during the 2023 MLB Combine.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Chicago Cubs: Thomas White, P, Phillips Academy HS (MA)
    
    
    The Chicago Cubs have history with Phillips Academy located in Andover, Massachusetts which is also known as Andover Baseball. For starters, after Phillips Academy won a state champioship last year, the Chicago Cubs were so impressed with the manager of Phillips Academy that the Cubs offered the High School manager a AA gig to be the manager of the Tennessee Smokies. Both the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox who pick at 14 sent their scouts to Phillips Academy for frequent looks at Phillips Academy ace pitcher Thomas White.
    
    
    
    The Chicago Cubs already have three really good starting pitchers in Marcus Stroman, Kyle Hendricks, and Justin Steele. Former Pittsburgh Pirate and New York Yankee Jameson Tailon has continued to underperform as a number four starter while Drew Smyly has been awful as the number five starter. Those two pitchers are stop gaps until Jordan Wicks the Chicago Cubs 2021 first round pick gets called up. Chicago also drafted Oklahoma pitcher Cade Horton seventh overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. Both Marcus Stroman and Kyle Hendricks are Free Agents in 2025, so the Chicago Cubs need one more pitcher for insurance and that's where Thomas White could come into play despite an abundance of quality batters on the board.
    
    
    
    Chicago has Cody Bellinger at first baseman, Nico Hoerner their 2018 first round pick at second baseman, and Dansby Swanson at shortstop. Ian Happ is your best outfielder at left fielder. I can see why some Chicago Cubs fans are pissed about me mocking another pitcher to Chicago when catcher, third baseman, center fielder, and right fielder are areas of improvement. The only position of those four where the Cubs can get value besides pitcher at 13 happens to be third baseman. There's a ton of college infielders that would be better fits for the Cubs if High School pitcher Thomas White isn't the guy the Chicago Cubs are sold on.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 210 lb Thomas White went 6-1 with a 0.21 ERA while winning a State Title before his manager left for the Tennessee Smokies en route to wining Gatorade Player Of The Year in Massachusetts in 2022. Thomas White went 5-2 with a 1.66 ERA in 42 innings pitched with 95 strikeouts and only 10 hits allowed as a senior in 2023.
    
    
    
    Thomas White has three plus pitches which include a 97 mile per hour fastball, a 78 mile per hour curveball, and a 78 mile per hour changeup. Thomas White also carried a 3.8 GPA since pitching at Phillips Academy. He would be re-united with his former High School manager if the Cubs draft him once he joins the Tennessee Smokies in AA.
    
    
    
14. Boston Red Sox: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
    
    
    The Boston Red Sox have drafted a shortstop three years in a row. I mocked another shortstop to Boston because this shortstop is versatile enough to play third baseman, shortstop, and second baseman with his versatility.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 185 lb Matt Shaw had a .341 bating average, 24 home runs, 18 stolen bases, and a .974 fielding percentage in 2023. Matt Shaw may be the one 5-tool batter outside of the top ten. He can hit home runs, line drives, grounders, and bunt. He also has a quick arm and defends quite well. He dominated in the Cape Cod Summer leagues in 2022 which is a huge reason he's on the Boston Red Sox radar to be drafted fourteenth overall. Being versatile enough to play second base, shortstop, and third base will help since Marcelo Mayer the fourth pick in the 2021 MLB Draft is probably the shortstop of the future while Matt Shaw should move to third baseman once him and Mayer end up on the same minor league team.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Chicago White Sox: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami FL
    
    
    The Chicago White Sox have had a lot of success with Cuban players as of late with Luis Roberts Jr. leading the White Sox with 26 home runs at center fielder and Bryan Ramos a third baseman from Cuba had 22 home runs in the minor leagues a season ago and currently only has 6 home runs now and has been with the White Sox for three and half seasons now. Yohandy Morales is the son of former Cuban National Team member Andy Morales who played for both the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
    
    
    
    The White Sox have a good core of batters that can carry this team to wins. The problem is Dylan Cease and Lucas Giolito are the only two good starting pitchers. That will not keep the Chicago White Sox from drafting someone like Yohandy Morales at 15 here.
    
    
    
    The White Sox have a good core of batters that can carry this team to wins. The problem is Dylan Cease and Lucas Giolito are the only two good starting pitchers. That will not keep the Chicago White Sox from drafting someone like Yohandy Morales at 15 here.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 225 lb Yohandy Morales is a power hitter that dominates with home runs and line drives despite not showing the ability to get on base with grounders and bunts. Yohandy Morales had a .329 batting average and 18 home runs and a .933 fielding percentage as a sophomore in 2022. Yohandy Morales had a .408 batting average, 20 home runs, and a .954 fielding percentage in 2023.
    
    
    
    Yohandy Morales improved his batting average, home run ability, stolen bases, and fielding percentage in all three seasons with Miami FL. He also interviewed really well on the Inside The U Podcast.
    
    
    
16. San Francisco Giants: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
    
    
    San Francisco gets a successor to starting shortstop Brandon Crawford at 16. Grand Canyon shortstop Jacob Wilson is the son of Pittsburgh Pirates All Star shortstop Jack Wilson. Jacob Wilson played at Thousand Oaks High School in California just like his father, then he enrolled into Grand Canyon. Jack Wilson left Thousand Oaks to become a coach at Grand Canyon after previously being the manager at Thousand Oaks High School.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 190 lb Jacob Wilson had a .313 batting average as well as a career high .964 fielding percentage as a freshman in 2021. Jacob Wilson had a .358 batting average and a career high 12 home runs as a sophomore in 2022. Jacob Wilson had a career high .411 batting average, 6 home runs, and a .948 fielding percentage in 2023.
    
    
    
    Jacob Wilson only struck out 12 times in 438 at bats as his plate discipline and patience at the plate is through the roof. He hit a grand slam against Sacramento State as well as a triple against 2024 MLB pitcher Chase Burns on MLB Network. Most of Jacob Wilson's hits are line drives or grounders, but potential to blossom into a 5-tool batter down the road is there. He also interviewed really well at the 2023 MLB Combine and is a consensus top 10 prospect. Outside of the Colorado Rockies at 9 and the San Francisco Giants at 16 there isn't a team extremely desperate for a shortstop.
    
    
    
    
    
17. Baltimore Orioles: Chase Davis, LF, Arizona
    
    
    The Orioles got some good bats in their farm system on a team that needed help everywhere. Batters like Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman Baltimore's number one overall pick in 2019, High School third baseman Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday is the shortstop of the future after going first overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Sam Houston State center fielder Colton Cowser Baltimore's fifth overall pick in 2021, and Arkansas right fielder Henry Kjerstad Baltimore's second overall pick in 2020. Baltimore really just needs a left fielder of the future and pitching and the Orioles have five more drafts to get that unless Adley Rutschman gets a long-term extension before becoming a UFA in 2028.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 216 lb Chase Davis had a .362 batting average, 21 home runs, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 80 hits, 71 runs, 74 RBI's, and a .964 fielding percentage in 2023. Chase Davis has a similar batting stance to Carlos Gonzalez and he interviewed well at the 2023 MLB Combine interviewing with 23 of the thirty MLB teams.
    
    
    
18. Milwaukee Brewers: Tommy Troy, 3B, Stanford
    
    
    The 5-10 197 lb Tommy Troy is versatile enough to play shortstop, second baseman, or third baseman. Drafting Tommy Troy gives Milwaukee a long-term infield with Tommy Troy at third baseman, Eric Brown Jr. at shorstop, and Brice Turang at second baseman down the road with Turang, Milwaukee's 2018 first round pick finally now in the MLB.
    
    
    
    Tommy Troy had a .394 batting average, 17 home runs, 98 hits, 76 runs, 17 stolen bases, and a .937 fielding percentage in 2023. Tommy Troy can hit home runs and line drives. I didn't see him hit any grounders when watching his tape. Tommy Troy is a power hitter that is versatile enough to play three different positions.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Tampa Bay Rays: Enrique Bradfield Jr., CF, Vanderbilt
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Rays get the best center fielder for their prospect pool at 19. The 6-1 170 lb Enrique Bradfield Jr. went 47/53 stealing bases as a freshman in 2021. Enrique Bradfield Jr. went 46/46 stealing bases as a sophomore in 2022. Enrique Bradfield Jr. went 37/44 stealing bases as a junior in 2023 while also posting a 1.000 fielding percentage. Enrique Bradfield Jr. needs to develop as a batter despite having 100 total bases in all three seasons at Vanderbilt, but has the best base stealing and defense of a center fielder since Kenny Lofton with an 80 grade from MLB scouts in both speed and defense.
    
    
    
20. Toronto Blue Jays: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss
    
    
    Toronto won't be able to keep both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette when their both unrestricted Free Agents in 2026. The odds are that Toronto will lose both players. Vladmir Guerrero Jr. is more valuable than Bo Bichette and the reality is Toronto may be able to groom a replacement to Bichette down the road if Toronto drafts a shortstop in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 200 lb Jacob Gonzalez had a career high .355 batting average and 12 home runs as a freshman challenging Dylan Crews for SEC Freshman Of The Year. Jacob Gonzalez had a career high 18 home runs when Ole Miss won the 2022 College World Series in 2022. Jacob Gonzalez had a .327 batting average, 10 home runs, and a career high .971 fielding percentage in 2023.
    
    
    
    Jacob Gonzalez was a preseason top 5 candidate along with other SEC players like Dylan Crews, Chase Dollander, and Paul Skenes. If Jacob Gonzalez drops to Toronto, then the Blue Jays have to pull the trigger and groom Gonzalez to succeed Bo Bichette.
    
    
    
    
    
21. St. Louis Cardinals: Hurston Waldrep, P, Florida
    
    
    St. Louis takes a pitcher here in the first round. The 6-2 210 lb Hurston Waldrep stepped up in the Regional and Super Regionals for Florida in 2023. He's the consensus sixth best pitcher in the 2023 MLB Draft despite having an ERA of over 4.00 on the season. He has a 97 mile per hour fastball and an 84 mile per hour slier, but struggles to maintain command on his heaters. Hurston Waldrep is the first of two pitchers in the first round of this draft with expierence as a starting pitcher and a reliever.
    
    
    
22. Seattle Mariners: Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic
    
    
    Seattle drafts a first baseman to groom for the future as Ty France has an expiring contract in 2026. One college batter whose improved his batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI's, slugging percentage, and stolen bases in each of their three seasons in college is Florida Atlantic first baseman Nolan Schanuel.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 220 lb Nolan Schanuel had a .447 batting average, 70 runs, 88 hits, 18 doubles, 4 triples, 19 home runs, 64 RBI's, an .868 slugging percentage, and 14 stolen bases as a junior while winning Conference USA Player Of The Year in 2023. Nolan Schanuel also had a .990 fielding percentage and a career low 14 strikeouts during his draft year at Florida Atlantic, so this player has done enough to earn a first round grade.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Cleveland Indians: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)
    
    
    I'm aware of the fact that the Cleveland Indians have been the Cleveland Guardians since 2022. I became a Cleveland Indians fan because of the Chief Wahoo logo. Cleveland may now be known as the Guardians, but the movie Major League is based off of the Cleveland Indians. Major League Baseball can choose to cater to being woke, but they cannot erase history since two Major League moves about the Cleveland Indians were made. Therefore the Cleveland Indians logo stays even though they are now known as the Guardians.
    
    
    
    Cleveland ends up obtaining a top 10 batter at 22 due to a High School batter at a position of need droping to Cleveland at 22. Arjun Nimmala is a steal at this point late in the first round.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 170 lb Arjun Nimmala could go in the top 10, but could also potentialy fall to Cleveland at 23 simply due to how many quality college batters headline the 2023 MLB Draft. Arjun Nimmala posted a .406 batting average as a junior in 2022. He has the speed to get on base through line drives, grounders, and bunts. Arjun Nimmala posted a .479 batting average, 6 home runs, 30 runs, 29 RBI's, a .904 slugging percentage which is the highest slugging percentage of any first round prospect, a 1.000 fielding percentage, and a 3.69 GPA while winning Florida Gatorade Player Of The Year in 2023.
    
    
    
    Arjun Nimmala is hoping to become the first player with an Indian heritage to get drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft. He also stood out in the interview process at the 2023 MLB Combine talking about other batters like Alfonso Soriano and Francisco Lindor as two of his favorites to watch growing up. This is the shortstop to draft if you love to draft based on projection and traits which is something that Cleveland has done over the years.
    
    
    
    Francisco Lindor was drafted seventh overall in the 2011 MLB Draft out of High School. Cleveland promoted him to the MLB in 2015. If Arjun Nimmala develops on a similar projection he would be on Cleveland possibly by 2027.
    
    
    
24. Atlanta Braves: Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS (GA)
    
    
    I think there are two players in play for the Atlanta Braves. Colin Houck may be Atlanta's plan A. George Lombard Jr. the son of Atlanta Braves 1994 second round pick George Lombard might be Atlanta's plan B if Houck is off the board. Atlanta lost Dansby Swanson at shortstop, and honestly I feel like the Braves could upgrade at shortstop.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Colin Houck was a two sport athlete that played quarterback on his High School Football team at Parkview High School while also playing shortstop at Parkview High School. The 2023 Gatorade Player Of The Year in Georgia turned down football scholarships from power 5 programs to go to Mississippi State to play baseball, but if he gets drafted in the first round he may not go there.
    
    
    
    Colin Houck had a .487 batting average, 8 home runs, 56 runs, 50 RBI's, 16 stolen bases, a .589 on base percentage, and a 4.05 GPA while winning Gatorade Player Of The Year in the State of Georgia in 2023. Parkview is a powerhouse for High School baseball as Matt Olson is one of the more famous alumni of Parkview.
    
    
    
    
    
25. San Diego Padres: Ty Floyd, P, LSU
    
    
    The Padres have been one of the bigger disappointments so far in 2023. Someone may gamble on LSU starting pitcher Ty Floyd after his outing in game 1 of the 2023 College World Series Championship round where LSU defeated Florida following an amazing performance by Paul Skenes in the semifinals over Wake Forest and Rhett Lowder. Bringing in a proven champion like Ty Floyd may be what the San Diego Padres need as far as a developmental prospect goes.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 200 lb Ty Floyd went 7-0 in 17 starts with more no decisions than wins despite going undefeated while also posting a 4.35 ERA in 2023. Ty Floyd has a 94 mile per hour fastball, a 81 mile per hour slider, a 75 mile per hour curveball, and a 80 mile per hour changeup with four different pitches he can use. He pitched 8 innings against Florida in game 1 of the 2023 College World Series Championship round where LSU defeated Florida 4 to 3, but gave up 3 runs in that contest.
    
    
    
26. New York Yankees: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
    
    
    The New York Yankees get the top College batter on the board. The 6-4 225 lb Brock Wilken tied the ACC record for career home runs. Brock Wilken had 17 home runs as a freshman in 2021, 23 home runs as a sophomore in 2022, and 31 home runs along with a .345 batting average plus his .954 fielding percentage as a junior in 2023.
    
    
    
    Brock Wilken hit 71 home runs in his NCAA career in three years at Wake Forest and he ended up falling to the freaking Yankees because the Yankees do need a younger third baseman. The only knock on Wilken is he's not very fast for a runner relying heavily on his power hitting to make plays. He also struck out 42 percent of the time in his three toughest games Alabama, Stanford, and LSU during the 2023 College World Series.
    
    
    
    Brock Wilken ranked twenty fifth on MLB's prospect list for the 2023 MLB Draft and Brock Wilken would be a nice long-term replacement ot Josh Donaldson. At this point in the first round, Brock Wilken is about as big of a bargain as Aaron Judge was when the Yankees drafted the Fresno State outfielder thirty second overall despite being ranked somewhere between fifteen and twenty five in my 2013 MLB Mock Draft ten years ago. I'm not saying Wilken will replicate what Aaron Judge has done, but from a value standpoint I don't think the Yankees can do better than Brock Wilken.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Eldridge, 1B, Madison HS (VA)
    
    
    Philadelphia needs some sort of upgrade over Darick Hall at first baseman. The best player on the board at 27 is Bryce Eldridge a High School batter that also played pitcher on Madison High School which is located in Virginia.
    
    
    
    The 6-7 223 lb Bryce Eldridge had a .422 batting averge, 8 home runs, 23 RBI's, a 6-0 record when pitching, a 1.06 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and 98 walks in 39.2 innings pitched in 2023. Eldridge also had a 3.13 GPA while winning Gatorade Player Of The Year in the state of Virginia in 2023.
    
    
    
    Bryce Eldridge has three plus pitches with a 95 mile per hour fastball, a slider to compliment his fastball, and a changeup to compliment his fastball. Eldridge seems like a better fit at batter, but the potential to be used as a two-way player like Shohei Ohtani is there if the Phillies want to tap into that potential.
    
    
    
28. Houston Astros: Joe Whitman, P, Kent State
    
    
    Houston wraps up the first round with an under the radar starting pitcher that many have going in either the compensation portion of the first round or the second round. Joe Whitman only pitched 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue, but he really put everything together during his junior sesaon at Kent State and stood out in a big way.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 200 lb Joe Whitman went 9-2 in 15 starts with a 2.56 ERA pitching 81 innings getting 100 strikeouts winning MAC Pitcher Of The Year in 2023. Whitman played lackluster competition and only had 2 games with 10 or more strikeouts. His career high for innings pitched was 7.1 innings pitched as he was a reliever at Purdue prior to transferring to Kent State where he was a Friday Night Starter in 2023. It's possible for the Houston Astros to use him as either a starter or a reliever.
    
    
    
    Joe Whitman has a 94 mile per hour fastball, a 83 mile per hour slider, and a 81 mile per hour changeup. Whitman still needs to develop his curveball, but he's capable of being used as a starter or a reliever.