By Jim Callis | June 15, 2023
The College World Series begins Friday and must have more current first-round talent than at any time since the draft began in 1965. The top three players and nine of the top 19 in our latest mock draft below will all be playing for a national championship omaha Two other CWS participants also have the chance to make it into the first round.
The biggest names are Louisiana State outfielder Dylan Crews, as well as right-hander Paul Skenes and Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford, who remain ranked 1-2-3 in the MLB Pipeline Draft Top 200 and in our first-round prediction . The CWS contingent also includes the best available catcher (Kyle Teel of Virginia) and the next three varsity pitchers targeting Skenes (Tennessee’s Chase Dollander, Wake Forest’s Rhett Lowder, Florida’s Hurston Waldrep).
Waldrep, Texas Christian third baseman Brayden Taylor and Stanford shortstop Tommy Troy are moving up the draft boards with stellar postseason performances. It’s also possible that Wake Forest third baseman Brock Wilken and Virginia third baseman Jake Gelof could break into the top-28 selection if they continue to rake in at Charles Schwab Field.
• Draft Central | Order | Top 200 prospects
For detailed scouting reports for all of the players below, see our Draft Top 200 (rankings in parentheses).
1. Pirates: Dylan Crews, OF, Louisiana State (number 1)
As Best Available Player, Crews remains the #1 favorite. The Pirates continue to review the top five players (Crews, Skenes, Langford, high school outfielder Walker Jenkins, and Max Clark), including Clark as the top pick, who received a discount from the assigned Pick value of $9,721,000 if the Bucs choose to go that route.
2. Nationals: Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State (No. 2)
If the Pirates pass on crews, the Nationals would likely do the same because they’re deep in the outfield prospects and have little head start. And Skenes is the top pitching candidate of the draft since Stephen Strasburg, who was the all-time pick and helped give Washington a World Series title.
3. Tigers: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida (#3)
The Tigers appear to be focused on college hitters and should get either Crews or Langford. There is some reasoning that Detroit would bypass Skenes and the preparatory outfielders and receive a college bat (teel) if the two Southeastern Conference outfielders were tied 2-1.
4. Rangers: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS, Southport, NC (number 4)
Rangers could be the second-likeliest home for Skenes, although their pick will likely come down to Langford, Jenkins and Clark – and that seems to be their pecking order.
This browser does not support the video element.
5. Gemini: Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) HS (#5)
Clark has better all-round gear, albeit less power than any of the top outfielders, and he expects to climb to either No. 1 in the Pirates or no higher than No. 5. Some clubs believe the Twins would prefer a varsity player to a high school outfielder, but they also have a high regard for the best assist, Noble Meyer.
This browser does not support the video element.
6. Athletics: Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian (#30)
Unless one of the top five talents falls into their laps, the A’s will be scouring the college market and likely deciding on a hitter. Taylor could be the favorite after hitting four home runs in seven postseason games to break TCU’s all-season record (23) and surpass his career mark (48), with Teel also worth considering.
This browser does not support the video element.
7. Red: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia (#10)
The Reds will accommodate every demographic (college vs. high school, hitter vs. pitcher). Teel, Dollander and Lowder could be the main considerations, with Mississippi shortstop Jacob Gonzalez and prepsters like Meyer and catcher Blake Mitchell also in play.
8. Royals: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Oregon (#11)
The best prospect for the Royals is a high school sophomore they took to seventh overall with Frank Mozzicato two years ago, and they’re known for loving Meyer. They’re another team that explores all demographics and is linked with Teel, Lowder and prep-hitters like shortstop Arjun Nimmala, first baseman Bryce Eldridge, third baseman Aidan Miller and Mitchell.
This browser does not support the video element.
9. Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee (#6)
The Rockies would like to get away with one arm and will be considering Dollander, Lowder and Meyer. They’re another potential home for Taylor and the cap on Vanderbilt outfielder Enrique Bradfield, meaning he’d come at a discount.
This browser does not support the video element.
10. Marlins: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon (#7)
The Marlins have done a better job developing pitchers than hitters, and when available they are tempted by Meyer or Dollander. They’ve also prioritized off-the-ball skills for the past year, and the best this draft includes Wilson, who hit .412 with five strikeouts in 217 plate appearances. High school shortstops Colin Houck and Nimmala are two other possibilities.
11. Angel: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison HS, Vienna, Va. (#21)
Eldridge is the top two-way pick of the draft — in part because LSU didn’t let Skenes swing a bat this spring — but is drafted as batter. The Angels have been watching him closely and could also snag a college arm under Dollander, Lowder and Waldrep. Don’t rule out a college thug, either.
12. D Back: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest (#8)
The name most closely associated with the D-Backs is prep shortstop Colin Houck, but one of college Army’s best might be too tempting to pass up. Arizona is also linked to several other high school infielders (Nimmala, Miller, Colt Emerson) as well as Troy.
13th boy: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Florida (#9)
The Cubs would love a shot at Lowder and could consider Waldrep, each of whom would be the fourth collegiate pitcher they’ve taken in the last five first rounds. They’re considering several prep infielders (Nimmala, Houck, Miller, Emerson, Kevin McGonigle) and could draw on Taylor, Maryland shortstop Matt Shaw, Gonzalez or Bradfield.
14. Red Sox: Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Georgia (#14)
It looks like a high school smack for the fourth straight first round for the Red Sox, who could continue that trend with Houck, Miller, Mitchell or Emerson. Bradfield and Arizona outfielder Chase Davis, who has helium, are two college options.
15. White Sox: Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, Florida (#12)
While the White Sox could use some pitching help and would go for Dollander or Lowder, these guys can’t get past No. 15. They’ll likely switch to prep-hitters like Houck, Miller, and Mitchell. When Chicago was in high school three years ago, he made a run at Miami third baseman Yohandy Morales and could also be attracted to his collegemates Wilson and Shaw.
16. Giants: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland (#18)
The Giants give priority to the bats unless they somehow get their hands on Lowder or Dollander. Shaw and Troy are likely to have overtaken Gonzalez at many clubs, while Taylor and Bradfield could also feature in San Francisco’s squad. High school candidates include Houck, Miller and Eldridge.
17. Oriole: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida (#20)
Waldrep has some of the worst stuff in the draft and has had his best consecutive starts of the spring, allowing one run in back-to-back NCAA tournament wins and hitting 25 in 15 innings. If he builds that momentum in Omaha, he could break into the top 10. Other potential candidates for the Orioles include Nimmala, Miller, Eldridge, Mitchell and Florida Atlantic first baseman Nolan Schanuel.
18. Brewer: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt (#16)
The Brewers appear to be headed for a collegiate first-round hitter for the fourth straight season with a pool that includes Taylor, Shaw, Bradfield, Troy, Schanuel and Morales. If they go in a different direction, Miller could be the target.
19. Rays: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford (#19)
Shaw and Troy could be the most realistic options for the Rays, who could also consider high school bats (Eldridge, Miller, Mitchell, outfielder Dillon Head) as well as Taylor, Waldrep and Schanuel.
20. Blue Jays: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi (#15)
There’s at least one guy who feels way too down in every spot, and in this version, it’s Gonzalez. He started the year as our 5th place candidate and has had a solid season, but there are concerns about his athleticism. The Blue Jays are mentioned along with a number of collegiate hitters (Taylor, Shaw, Troy, Schanuel), as well as high school pitchers Thomas White and Charlee Soto, and prep hitters Head and Emerson.
21. Cardinals: Nolan Schanuel, 1B/OF, Florida Atlantic (No. 29)
Taylor, Shaw and Troy likely won’t last through to No. 21, so the Cardinals could turn to another college slugger at Schanuel who has the NCAA Division I in on-base percentage (.612), OPS (1.476) and walks (71) while he placed second in batting (.444) and batting (.864). If they want an arm, White could be the best one left on the board.
22. Sailors: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. (#23)
It’s hard to pin down a target for White, who has a high ceiling as the best prep lefty in the draft but lacks consistent control and was bombed in front of a string of scouts in late May. He could get close to the top 10 or get an over slot bonus in the 30s or 40s. The Mariners have the seventh-highest bonus pool ($13,170,900), despite picking 22nd place, and could be looking to list a big name here at a hefty price. They have picked high school hitters in the last two first rounds and are interested in Eldridge, Mitchell and Emerson.
23. Guardian: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Glenn HS, New Concord, Ohio (#27)
The Guardians once looked like the playing field for Waldrep or Eldridge, but now neither seems particularly close to Cleveland. Emerson, who would be the club’s first first-rounder since No. 2 overall Mark Lewis in 1988, and McGonigle are more realistic possibilities.
24. Brave: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton (Texas) HS (#13)
If the bias toward high school catchers actually helps Mitchell land at No. 24, that would be an absolute steal for the Braves. His bat could make him a first-round player even if he weren’t a catcher, and while he attracts interest in the top 10, he trails several college bats in this scenario. Atlanta also likes several assisting shortstops (Emerson, McGonigle, Walker Martin, George Lombard Jr., Sammy Stafura) and Eldridge.
25. Padres: Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor, Ill. (#22)
After making quite a splash in the top 10 earlier this spring, Head seems to have found his way back into the 20s. Other names given for the Padres are White, Stafura, Prep Stampfer Ralphy Velazquez and Davis.
26. Yankees: Sammy Stafura, SS, Panas HS, Cortlandt Manor, NY (No. 86)
The Yankees are linked to high school shortstops including suburban New York City resident Stafura (who exudes some Anthony Volpe vibes), Lombard and McGonigle. They excel at developing pitchers, which could lead them to White or Kent State left-hander Joe Whitman, whose value continues to rise after a stellar performance in the Cape Cod League.
27. Phillies: Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian Academy, Kissimmee, Florida (#25)
Rumor has it that the Phillies might want a pitcher. In this case, Soto or White would be the best candidates. They’re not afraid of winning a high school title in the first round, and they did in 2020 (Mick Abel) and 2021 (Andrew Painter).
28. Astro: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami (#17)
Morales could go beyond that, especially if either club wants a collegiate bat after the Cardinals. Stafura and Martin are two other targets for the Astros.
And let’s take a look at the entire supplemental first round. . .
29. Sailors: Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B, Monsignor Bonner HS, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania (No. 26)
30. Sailors: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B, Huntington Beach (California) HS (No. 32)
31. Rays: Chase Davis, OF, Arizona (#39)
32. Mets: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest (No. 24)
33. Brewer: Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia (No. 42)
34. Gemini: Adrian Santana, SS, Doral (Florida) Academy (No. 34)
35. Marlins: Joe Whitman, LHP, Kent State (No. 46)
36. Dodgers: Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS, Chantilly, Va. (No. 49)
37. Tigers: Walker Martin, SS, Eaton (Colonel) HS (#28)
38. Red: George Lombard Jr., SS/3B, Gulliver Prep, Pinecrest, Florida (#38)
39. Athletics: Jack Hurley, OF, Virginia Tech (No. 33)
This browser does not support the video element.