The 2023 MLB Draft is fast approaching (July 9-11) despite the frigid tundra of America. With talent pushed to school from the 2020 abbreviated draft this is considered a deep draft class with college bats and college arms plentiful. On the flip side there are plenty of prep shortstops and arms.
This mock draft is mostly for fun but also aimed at identifying and exploring a variety of options for each club based on current recent team draft history.
Pittsburgh Pirates- Dylan Crews- OF LSU
Quick thoughts: PIT grabs the top position player here, Crews is the rare legit 5-tool piece.
Last four 1st rounders: Quinn Priester- RHSP, Nick Gonzales- 2b, Henry Davis- C, Termarr Johnson- 2b
Washington Nationals- Chase Dollander- RHSP Tennessee
Quick thoughts: Dollander has 1.1 potential, he’s a frontline arm with big-time present stuff.
Last four 1st rounders: Jackson Rutledge- RHSP, Cade Cavalli- RHSP, Brady House- 3b, Elijah Green
Detroit Tigers- Jacob Wilson- SS Grand Canyon
Quick thoughts: Excellent contact skills with MLB bloodlines.
Last four 1st rounders: Riley Greene- OF, Spencer Torkelson- 1b, Jackson Jobe- RHSP, Jace Jung- 2b
Texas Rangers- Jacob Gonzalez- SS Ole Miss
Quick thoughts: May outgrow shortstop, smooth operator at the plate.
Last four 1st rounders: Josh Jung- 3b, Justin Foscue- 2b, Jack Leiter- RHSP, Kumar Rocker- RHSP
Minnesota Twins- Wyatt Langford- OF Florida
Quick thoughts: Produces plenty of power in the corner outfield spot.
Last four 1st rounders: Keoni Cavaco- SS, Aaron Sabato- 1b, Chase Petty- RHSP, Brooks Lee- SS
Oakland Athletics- Walker Jenkins- OF South Brunswick HS, NC
Quick thoughts:
Last four 1st rounders: Logan Davidson- SS, Tyler Soderstrom- C, Maxwell Muncy- SS, Daniel Susac- C
Cincinnati Reds- Max Clark- OF Franklin HS, IN
Quick thoughts: Top five tool set and potential All-Star center fielder.Last four 1st rounders: Nick Lodolo- LHSP, Austin Hendrick- OF, Matt McLain- SS, Cam Collier- 3b
Kansas City Royals- Paul Skenes- RHSP LSU
Quick thoughts: Two-way talent, his future is on the mound. Air Force transfer.
Last four 1st rounders: Bobby Witt- SS, Asa Lacy- LHSP, Frank Mozzicato- LHSP, Gavin Cross- OF
Colorado Rockies- Aidan Miller- 3b JW Mitchell HS, FL
Quick thoughts: Visions of his power playing at Coors field, dance in our heads.
Last four 1st rounders: Michael Toglia- 1b, Zac Veen- OF, Benny Montgomery- OF, Gabriel Hughes- RHSP
Miami Marlins- Enrique Bradfield- CF Vanderbilt
Quick thoughts: Legit 80-grade game changing speed in the outfield and on the bases.
Last four 1st rounders: J.J. Bleday- OF, Max Meyer- RHSP, Khalil Watson- SS, Jacob Berry- 3b
Anaheim Angels- Rhett Lowder- RHSP Wake Forest
Quick thoughts: Strike-thrower, high level performer.
Last four 1st rounders: Will Wilson- SS, Reid Detmers- LHSP, Sam Bachman- RHSP, Zach Neto- SS
Arizona Diamondbacks- Brayden Taylor- 3b TCU
Quick thoughts: Advanced bat with corner profile.
Last four 1st rounders: Corbin Carroll- CF, Bryce Jarvis- RHSP, Jordan Lawler- SS, Druw Jones- CF
Chicago Cubs- Matt Shaw- SS Maryland
Quick thoughts: 2022 Cape Cod performer pronounced his arrival on the scene.
Last four 1st rounders: Ryan Jensen- RHSP, Ed Howard- SS, Jordan Wicks- LHSP, Cade Horton- RHSP
Boston Red Sox- Kevin McGonigle- SS
Quick thoughts: Advanced stick, possible 2b.
Last four 1st rounders: Cameron Cannon- SS, Nick Yorke- 2b, Marcelo Meyer- SS, Mikey Romero- SS
Chicago White Sox- Thomas White- LHSP
Quick thoughts: Mid-90’s heater with deception in his delivery.Last four 1st rounders: Andrew Vaughn- 1b, Garrett Crochet- LHP, Colson Montgomery- SS, Noah Schultz- LHSP
San Francisco Giants- Will Sanders- RHSP South Carolina
Quick thoughts: Quality four pitch-mix.
Last four 1st rounders: Hunter Bishop- OF, Patrick Bailey- C, Will Bednar- RHSP, Reggie Crawford- LHRP
Baltimore Orioles- Yohandy Morales- 3b Miami
Quick thoughts: Right-handed thumper, solid at third.
Last four 1st rounders: Adley Rutschman- C, Heston Kjerstad- OF, Colton Cowser- OF, Jackson Holliday- SS
Milwaukee Brewers- Maui Ahuna- SS
Quick thoughts: Kansas transfer with contact skills and ability to stick at shortstop.
Last four 1st rounders: Ethan Small- LHSP, Garrett Mitchell- OF, Sal Frelick- OF, Eric Brown Jr.- SS
Tampa Bay Rays- Noble Meyer- RHSP
Quick thoughts: Premium prep arm with big heat and projectable frame.
Last four 1st rounders: Greg Jones- SS, Nick Bitsko- RHSP, Carson Williams- SS, Xavier Isaac- 1b
Toronto Blue Jays- Hurston Waldrep- RHSP Florida
Quick thoughts: Southern Miss transfer, big FB velo and potential.
Last four 1st rounders: Alek Manoah- RHSP, Austin Martin- SS, Gunnar Hoglund- RHSP, Brandon Barriera- LHSP
St. Louis Cardinals- Blake Mitchell- C Sinton HS, TX
Quick thoughts: Two-way player, top C in the draft with advanced stick and strong arm.
Last four 1st rounders: Zack Thompson- LHSP, Jordan Walker- 3b, Michael McGreevy- RHSP, Cooper Hjerpe- LHSP
Seattle Mariners- Cade Kuehler- RHSP Campbell
Quick thoughts: Devastating FB/SL combo.
Last four 1st rounders: George Kirby- RHSP, Emerson Hancock- RHSP, Harry Ford- C, Cole Young- SS
Cleveland Guardians- Tanner Witt- RHSP Texas
Quick thoughts: Recovering from TJS. Bloodlines. Made significant gains prior to injury.Others to watch: Kyle Teel- C, Tommy Troy-2b, Will Sanders- RHSP, Colt Emerson- SS, Cole Carrigg- SS/C/OF, Hurston Waldrep- RHSP, Noble Meyer- RHSP, Charlee Soto- RHSP, Liam Peterson- RHSP
Last four 1st rounders: Daniel Espino- RHSP, Carson Tucker- SS, Gavin Williams- RHSP, Chase DeLauter- OF
Atlanta Braves- Bryce Eldridge- 1b/RHSP Madison HS, VA
Quick thoughts: Two-way player with massive power.
Last four 1st rounders: Shea Langeliers- C, Jared Shuster- LHSP, Ryan Cusick- RHSP, Owen Murphy- RHSP
San Diego Padres- Roch Cholowsky- SS Hamilton HS, AZ
Quick thoughts: Quality young SS with arm and glove to stick at shortstop.
Last four 1st rounders: C.J. Abrams- SS, Robert Hassell- OF, Jackson Merrill- SS, Dylan Lesko- RHSP
New York Yankees- Kyle Teel- C Virginia
Quick thoughts: Athletic backstop with a strong arm.
Last four 1st rounders: Anthony Volpe- SS, Austin Wells- C, Trey Sweeney- SS, Spencer Jones- OF
Philadelphia Phillies- Travis Sykora- RHSP Round Rock HS, TX
Quick thoughts: Power righty touches triple digits.
Last four 1st rounders: Bryson Stott- SS, Mick Abel- RHSP, Andrew Painter- RHSP, Justin Crawford- CF
Houston Astros- Cole Carrigg- SS/C/OF San Diego State
Quick thoughts: Athletic versatile bat with advanced approach.
Last four 1st rounders: Korey Lee- C, (No 1st round picks in 2020 and 2021 as part of the penalty for cheating), Drew Gilbert- CF
Note: Both the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers first round selections slide ten slots as part of the penalty for exceeding the tax line.
Seattle Mariners- Charlie Soto- RHSP Reborn Christian HS, FL
Seattle Mariners- Colt Emmerson- SS John Glenn HS, OH
Tampa Bay Rays- Tommy Troy- 2b Stanford
New York Mets- Travis Honeyman- OF Wake Forest
Quick thoughts: Good contact skills with speed.Last four 1st rounders: Brett Baty- 3b, Pete Crow-Armstrong- OF, Kumar Rocker- RHSP, Kevin Parada- C, Jett Williams- SS
Milwaukee Brewers- Jack Hurley- OF Virginia Tech
Minnesota Twins- Colin Houck- SS Parkview HS, GA
Miami Marlins- Adam Hachman- LHSP
Los Angeles Dodgers- Grayson Hitt- LHSP Alabama
Quick thoughts: Developing left-hander flashed big stuff this fall.
Last four 1st rounders: Kody Hoese- 3b, Michael Busch-2b, Bobby Miller- RHSP, Maddox Bruns- LHSP, (No pick in 2022 as part of the penalty for exceeding the tax line).
Detroit Tigers- Arjun Nimmala- SS
Cincinnati Reds-
Oakland A’s- Brock Wilken- 3b Wake Forest
Bonus mock Guardians picks:
Rd 2. Hunter Hollan- LHSP Arkansas
Rd CBB. Michael Carico- C Davidson
Rd 3. Myles Naylor- IF St. Joan of Arc HS, CAN
Rd 4. Elijah Nunez- CF TCU
Rd 5. Sean Sullivan- LHSP Wake Forest