The 2023 MLB draft featured one of the largest selections of high school and collegiate talent in recent memory. While players keep deviating from their predictions over the course of 10 rounds and 614 picks, there are always bargains to be had.
On this week’s Pipeline podcast, writers Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo chose what they thought were the best picks in each round.
round 1
Aidan Miller, SS, JW Mitchell HS (FL), Phillies #27; 13th place
Mayo: He’s a guy who was high up in the draft in terms of talent. So getting him 27th was a very good achievement for the Phillies, even if they had to top the rank to sign him. … All this guy did was hit and hit to gain power. Probably moves to third base, but by the end of the first round I thought it was very good value for her – a potential top 10 talent.
round 2
Walker Martin, SS, Eaton HS (CO), Giants #52; 30th place
Callis: Athletic Colorado High School shortstop, former quarterback. He might grow out of that position, he’s very athletic, he might end up on third base, but he has the power profile there. This was a guy who showed interest in the second half of the first round and they got him in the middle of the second round.
round 3
Eric Bitonti, SS, Aquinas HS (CA), Brewers #87; 68th place
Mayo: 6’1″, left-handed hitting infielder, lots of raw power, very athletic. I doubt he plays shortstop in the long run — although he showed very good body control there on occasion — I think he’ll move to third base, but I like what the Brewers have done with some of their high-end high school players. … For the third round, the uptrend and cap were sizeable.
round 4
Cole Schoenwetter, RHP, San Marcos HS (CA), Reds #105; Place No. 43
Callis: Most of your high-paying high school guys that don’t get drafted on day one, you think they’re going to move to the teams with the biggest bonus pools on day two, or they won’t sign, in your opinion. When then [the Reds] When he defeated Schoenwetter early in the fourth round, I was like, “Whoa.”… That really surprised me. … They came back with the high profile high school guy.
**Round 5
Spencer Nivens, OF, Missouri State (MO), Royals #142, ranked #119
**Mayo: He really packs a punch. He doesn’t hit, makes a lot of contact. … He has the chance to maybe average. Left-handed, really good swing, maybe has a chance to play in midfield, maybe moves into a corner but I think it’s the racquet that’s really interesting there.
round 6
Cooper Pratt, SS, Magnolia Heights HS (MS), Brewers #182; 45th place
Callis: One of my favorite draft players…he’s the right-handed version of who?
Mayo: Gunnar Henderson.
Callis: Yes. He’s a privateer from the south, similar build, very advanced racquet. I’m calling it – this is the steal of the draft. Cooper Pratt will be in the Futures Game in a few years.
round 7
George Volkow, OF, Downers Grove North HS (IL), White Sox No. 209; Place No. 71
Mayo: Large left-handed power stick. There’s some questions about the hitting tool, some swings and misses, the length of his swing and he needs to work on some swing decisions…but he’s got tremendous strength, is athletic, runs really well, could be a real fielder and has a good arm.
round 8
Julian Brock, C, Louisiana Lafayette, Rangers No. 231; place no. 122)
Callis: I think that’s a steal for Rangers. The college fishing harvest has been very dismal this year. He’s got more power than punch, he’s got strength, he’s got more raw power, but he’s made some progress in approaching the plate and has shown more punching ability this year than in the past. … He moves well behind the plate … blocks balls well, solid arm strength, quick release.
**Round 9
Jake Peppers, RHP, Jacksonville State, White Sox #269; Place No. 187
**Mayo: He’s relieved, he’s started. I think you give him a chance to start at the next level because there are three pitches that work. As for command, he might end up in the bullpen. He has a very good slider that misses a lot of shots and he has a good feel for transitions.
round 10
Ross Dunn, LHP, Arizona State, Twins #297; Place No. 140
Callis: He’s a three-pitch left-hander, he’s got deceptive low-90s fastball, his low-80s slider is probably his best pitch, he’s got a mid-80s changeup. He needs to improve his command, but he’s a three-pitch left-hander and has a good physique. If you can make him more consistent, you may have a #4 starter.