2023 MLB Draft Logo with dates (July 9-11).
The Pittsburgh Pirates own the first pick of the MLB Rookie Draft scheduled for Sunday July 9th, 2023. Here is a first look at the player rankings as they stand currently. Draft 412 will edit the list as the day of the draft nears.
Look for individual player analysis in the upcoming days as well. The top 5 in this draft are breaking away from the rest of the pack in a class that appears to be top heavy and star-studded at the top.
1) Dylan Crews- OF, LSU- could be the best high school hitter since Bryce Harper.
2) Paul Skenes-RHP, LSU- Average fastball is 98 mph, best college pitcher since Steven Strasburg.
3) Wyatt Langford- OF, Florida- Raw power, 26 homeruns this season at Florida.
4) Walker Jenkins- OF, South Brunswick (NC)- The best hitting tools of any prep hitter, sets up to be a corner OF at the next level.
5) Max Clark- OF, - Franklin (IN)- Scouts grade him as having 4 plus skills including a left-
handed swing that could be a perennial .300, 20-HR type player.
6) Chase Dollander- RHP- Tennessee- Came into the season as the #1 pitching prospect, ace potential with a fastball that sits at 94-95 mph late in games.
7) Jacob Gonzalez- SS, Ole Miss- Good bat-to-ball skills with a nice left-handed hitting stroke. Many evaluators think he will shift to third base at next level.
8) Rhett Lowder- RHP, Wake Forest- a phenomenal changeup to go with a good sinking fastball.
9) Jacob Wilson- SS, Grand Canyon U- son of former Pirates SS Jack Wilson. 6’4”, lean and rangy. Can hit to all fields. May be a 2B or 3B at the next level.
10) Blake Mitchell- C, Sinton (TX)- A lefty who is destined to hit for power at the next level. Rated a plus arm with average blocking skills.
11) Arjun Nimmala- SS, Strawberry Crest (FL)- Only 17 years old and will play his first full season professionally as an 18-year-old. Possessing the ability to power to all fields. Projects out to a future 30+ HR per season type hitter.
12) Aidan Miller- 3B, Mitchell (FL)- Has what scouts like to see for a 3B at the next level. Good, quick hands that get through the zone quick.
13) Thomas White- LHP, Phillips Academy (MA)- A Vanderbilt commitment, White can hit 97 with a fastball that has elite movement. Can have trouble with commands at times.
14) Enrique Bradfield Jr.-OF, Vanderbilt- Fastest player in the draft. Uses speed to be disruptive on the bases. Contact hitter who uses all fields. Hit 8 HR’s last year so he has a little bit of power.
15) Hurston Waldrep- SP, Florida- Has a nice array of pitches with a powerful heater. Has trouble finding his command at times with the fastball.
16) Yohandy Morales- 3B, Miami,Fla- Aggressive hitter who looks to barrel up the ball. Tends to be a power hitter over a contact hitter at times. Former SS who moved to 3B. Good arm and movement.
17) Bryce Eldridge- RHP/1B, Madison (VA)- Eldridge is a two-way player that many scouts argue can become either a hitter or pitcher at next level. A 6’7” power pitcher and a left-handed hitter with raw power. What he does at next level will depend on team that takes him.
18) Noble Meyer-RHP-, Jesuit (OR)- Has hit 100 mph this season and throws from different arm angles.
19) Brayden Taylor- 3B, Texas Christian- Left handed swing that loves to work the counts, He has a great eye for the ball and uses all fields. Projects to be a quality hitter at next level.
20) Kyle Teel- C, Virginia- Athletic catcher who has a nice left-handed stroke. Possibly the top collegiate catcher in draft.
Other Prospects
21) Tommy Troy- 2B, Stanford
22) Travis Sykora-RHP, Round Rock (TX)
23) Jack Hurley- OF, Virginia Tech
24) George Lombard, Jr.- SS/3B- Gulliver Prep (FL)
25) Tanner Witt- RHP- Texas
26) Colin Houck- SS, Parkview (GA)
27) Brock Wilken- 3B, Wake Forest
28) Hunter Owen- LHP, Vanderbilt
29) Kevin McGonigle- 2B, Monsignor Bonner (PA)
30) Matt Shaw- SS, Maryland