2023 MLB Mock Draft Version 5.0 College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects
Image credit:Wyatt Langford (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Draft Day V 5.0 Update: Welcome to the fifth and final mock draft of the year. I’ve kept all the previous blurbs for teams because much of the info is still relevant, but with updates to each team with what I have been hearing in the last 24 hours.
There’s been a decent amount of chatter in the last few days, but there’s still a lack of confidence in what’s happening at the top of the draft. Based on that information, we have a new name in the top spot for the first time this spring. That said, I don’t expect to feel confident in the Pirates’ choice until the name is read on Sunday.
As most teams picking in the top spot have done in recent years, Pittsburgh is keeping things close to the vest. One scout put it like this:
“The Pirates could throw off the whole draft or they could just keep it simple. And they’re not known to keep it simple.”
As we get down to the wire it’s probably worth reiterating how much of the mock draft process truly is guesswork. We’re trying to find the needle of noise in a haystack that’s mostly just signal, and even if we did find the noise in one haystack, a gust of wind could easily change everything.
In this edition of the mock draft, I’ve included a section for “Dart Throw Later Picks.” You’ll notice that some teams’ remain empty. That’s by design, and they’ll have names added throughout the weekend.
Last year, Baseball America correctly predicted eight of the first 40 picks (8.5 if we get credit for Owen Murphy going to the Braves but with the wrong pick, but who’s counting?), which is good for a .200 average that can’t even be passed off as a good number among baseball folks.
Still, I’d be lying if I told you I wouldn’t be happy hitting .200 again this year. Enough rambling, let’s get into the mock. Here’s what I’ve been hearing:
1. Pirates — Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida
Slot Value: $9,721,000
Total Bonus Pool: $16,185,700
Three days out from the draft and I still don’t have a ton of confidence in which direction the Pirates are going. The one consistent rumor that seems to be swirling for the Pirates in the last 48 hours or so is that Dylan Crews is not the pick here. So, for the first time, we’re going with a different name. I initially had Wyatt Langford in this spot, and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called, but there’s a compelling case for the Pirates to take Skenes, and there’s been enough buzz with the righthander that he’s my best bet at the moment despite the difficulty of picking between the two. We’ve continued to hear Max Clark’s name floated here, and some in the industry think the Pirates could still go toward the prep route, which presumably means Walker Jenkins—whom the Pirates scouted heavily all spring—could also be in play. The college names feel more likely, though I would be lying if I told you I had more confidence in this pick today than I did a month ago. The opposite is probably true.
Update: Two days ago Paul Skenes was the name being talked about. Yesterday it was Wyatt Langford. I think Pittsburgh will call each of their actual targets just before the draft today and see who is willing to sign for their number. If that’s true, it’s impossible to truly rule out any of the top five players in this class.
Dart Throw Later Picks: LHP Alexander Clemmey
2. Nationals — Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State
Slot Value: $8,998,500
Total Bonus Pool: $14,502,400
We’ve continued to hear that the Nationals are highly interested in Paul Skenes, and if the Pirates don’t take the massive righthander 1-1 I still expect him to be the pick here. In this scenario he’s not available, and I think the Nationals would probably still be happy to take the No. 1 player on the BA draft board in Crews. If neither of the LSU teammates is selected with the first pick I would probably still lean Skenes over Crews, though it seems like the Nationals do like both players quite a bit. The top high school players don’t come up all that often here.
Update: This is the one pick the industry seems to have any confidence in. If Skenes is available, it sounds like he’s the name. If he goes No. 1, it sounds like Dylan Crews. With the flip to Langford at No. 1 in the final mock, Skenes is available.
Dart Throw Later Picks: 3B Trent Caraway; OF Jake Cunningham
3. Tigers — Dylan Crews, OF, Louisiana State
Slot Value: $8,341,700
Total Bonus Pool: $15,747,200
It’s been difficult to get a read on Detroit’s draft room, though it should be positioned nicely to take whichever elite college player is available. It sounds like Crews doesn’t fall past No. 3 if he doesn’t go in either of the first two spots, and with $15.7 million in pool money, the Tigers can outspend anyone in this draft outside of Pittsburgh—and they have quite a bit more pool money to spend than the Rangers, who pick right behind them.
Update: I’m going with Crews here with Wyatt Langford and Paul Skenes going 1-2. It does seem like the top high school bats are in consideration for this pick as well, which makes sense, but I hadn’t heard much specifically until last night.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP Jonathan Rogers
4. Rangers — Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) Community HS
Slot Value: $7,698,000
Total Bonus Pool: $9,925,300
A number of sources in the industry expect the Rangers to choose Walker Jenkins if he makes it to this pick, and that feels like the safe pick for Texas here, though there’s some thought that Max Clark could actually be the prep outfielder here as well. However, Texas does have just the 16th largest bonus pool despite picking No. 4 overall, and just a year ago it showed everyone that you should never feel comfortable about the direction it is headed. It would be impossible to fully discount an underslot option if the Rangers want to try to spread their money around a bit more. It sounds like Arjun Nimmala and Enrique Bradfield are two players further down the board they like, and both players are ranked higher than Kumar Rocker was at this time a year ago.
Update: It’s extremely difficult to pick between the two high school outfielders here, particularly after hearing the Walker Jenkins link all spring. Lately it’s been more Max Clark, so I’ll default to the newer info.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP Jonathan Rogers; OF Devin Saltiban
5. Twins — Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS, Southport, N.C.
Slot Value: $7,139,700
Total Bonus Pool: $14,345,600
The Twins have been tied to a variety of players with this pick and could take the draft in a number of different directions. Will the 2023 class be similar to 2019, where the top-tier talents all go inside the top five (six, in 2019) or will Minnesota go with someone else? There are a lot of college names tied to Minnesota, including Jacob Gonzalez, Jacob Wilson and Brayden Taylor, as well as Rhett Lowder, who’s the running favorite to be the first pitcher selected after Skenes. It’s entirely possible that the Twins simply sit here and take Max Clark (or Walker Jenkins, if he’s available), but I’ll go with Lowder for now. I wouldn’t entirely rule out the top prep righty in Noble Meyer but he also doesn’t feel like the most likely option.
Update: I previously had Rhett Lowder here, but I’m going back to one of the top five players in the class with this pick. There’s a decent amount of thought that Clark and Jenkins will go right after one another and that neither is likely to make it to No. 7, which I had previously mocked—I don’t have high confidence in which order the prep outfielders will go. I also have less confidence that Lowder is definitely the second college arm selected. Maybe going from 75% to around 50% if I had to try and quantify it. If the Twins do opt to pass on one of the top five, Jacob Wilson and Jacob Gonzalez feel like the most likely names.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Eric Bitonti; OF Grant Gray; SS Tai Peete; RHP Cole Schoenwetter
6. A’s — Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian
Slot Value: $6,634,000
Total Bonus Pool: $14,255,600
It seems like Taylor has a significant number of landing spots from around this range and into the middle of the first round. Oakland gets tied to Max Clark, Rhett Lowder and Kyle Teel a considerable amount, and Jacob Wilson could make sense as well. It’s mostly college names, plus Clark—though I don’t have any strong conviction about who leads this group of players. Scarcity at the position could make Lowder a decent option, but he’s gone in this scenario.
Update: Sticking with Taylor here. It’s a link that continues to come up. Decision makers with the organization scouted him pretty heavily down the stretch, apparently.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Luke Keaschall; RHP Laif Palmer
7. Reds — Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
Slot Value: $6,275,200
Total Bonus Pool: $13,785,200
Clark gets rumored to more under or overslot deals than any player at the top of the first round. In this scenario it’s an overslot deal to the Reds, who have not been hesitant to pay up for a player who gets to a pick they probably shouldn’t. The Reds signed Cam Collier to a $5 million deal at pick 18 in 2022, which was a $1.34 million overslot deal. In 2021 they signed Matt McLain to a $4.63 million deal at pick 17, which was about $1 million over slot. In an era when it seems like most teams are hunting underslot deals, Cincinnati is clearly OK paying up to get a guy it likes. This is also the reason why many expect that No. 7 could be a landing spot for one of the big five to fall, rather than No. 6 to the A’s. If not Clark, many of the college players mentioned in front of this pick make sense, including Rhett Lowder and Kyle Teel. In a scenario where Walker Jenkins makes it here I feel like the Reds might do backflips to get him.
Update: After going back to the top five players going inside the top five picks, I have the Reds taking the top catcher in the class here in Kyle Teel. It sounds like there’s some serious interest in Jacob Gonzalez here as well, though, and I also heard a Chase Dollander rumor on an under-slot deal. If the Reds do want a pitcher they have their choice of the non-Skenes arms in the class and given how the team has operated in trade deadline discussions that could be a priority for them in this draft and potentially with this pick.
Dart Throw Later Picks: LHP Adler Cecil; OF Jake Cunningham
8. Royals — Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton (Texas) HS
Slot Value: $5,980,100
Total Bonus Pool: $12,313,500
There are a lot of underslot rumors for the Royals here at No. 8. Whether that’s a function of draft philosophy or simply where they’ve found themselves on the board is a tougher question. Think back to 202, when Kansas City pulled a surprise and took lefthander Frank Mozzicato at pick No. 7 and signed him to a $3.55 million deal for almost $2 million in savings. Texas catcher Blake Mitchell is the name that could make sense, though Mitchell is more highly regarded than Mozzicato at the time and I’m not sure how much savings that deal would net. He’s more of a split-camp sort of player given some teams’ aversion to prep catchers, but those who like Mitchell think he could be a star. Florida shortstop Adrian Santana could be another player they like, for this pick or a later one, and they are also linked with Noble Meyer, Rhett Lowder, Chase Dollander and the college hitting trio of Brayden Taylor, Jacob Wilson and Kyle Teel. There’s no shortage of options here and this could also be the high-water mark for Matt Shaw.
Update: No real update here, I’m sticking with Blake Mitchell because he’s so heavily associated with the club for this pick. If he doesn’t go here he could potentially slip down into the back of the first. All of the top arms could make sense here, too.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Adrian Santana; RHP TJ Nichols
9. Rockies — Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest
Slot Value: $5,716,900
Total Bonus Pool: $11,909,800
There’s a lot of buzz with college pitchers for the Rockies. Chase Dollander would represent a great value based on his preseason reputation and based on the simple fact that he might be the second most talented pitcher in the class. He didn’t post in the same way that Skenes and Lowder did, but many in the industry still believe he’ll quickly get back to the 2022 version of himself, who entered the year as the consensus top pitching prospect in the class. It doesn’t seem like Rhett Lowder would get much further than this pick if he’s on the board, and it seems like Lowder is a better bet to go among the top 10 than Dollander—though in this scenario three college arms go inside the top 10. There’s also some buzz here with Brayden Taylor and Enrique Bradfield.
Update: Now that I don’t have Lowder going at No. 5, I have him as the pick for the Rockies, though I do think there’s more of a chance that he could slip outside the top 10 today than I did two days ago. I’ve also been told that this could be Chase Dollander’s floor, but it now seems more likely that both pitchers could be available at this spot and I’m not sure which they would take given the option.
Dart Throw Later Picks:
10. Marlins — Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi
Slot Value: $5,475,300
Total Bonus Pool: $12,829,600
Gonzalez could be off the board as high as No. 5, and there’s a chance he goes in the 5-10 range, but the Marlins are linked to him—as well as a number of college hitters and a few high school bats—here at 10. Miami has also beared down on Brayden Taylor and Matt Shaw, and they could be in play here as well. For the high school side, Arjun Nimmala could make sense, and lately there’s been some Colt Emerson chatter as well—both players seemingly get tied to the same teams, presumably for model-related factors like their extreme youth.
Update: Colin Houck is another name that is mentioned with Miami that I didn’t mention in the previous edition. I think the previous blurb remains the case with the Marlins. It feels like a hitter and one of the most likely early landing spots for a prep shortstop if it’s not Gonzalez or Shaw here. There’s been some late buzz that Tommy Troy could try to get inside the top 10 on an under-slot deal, but I don’t have that happening in this mock.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Adrian Santana
11. Angels — Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
Slot Value: $5,253,000
Total Bonus Pool: $8,328,900
I’ve been hearing potential fast-moving college names with the Angels mostly, and there are more bats than pitchers mentioned, though presumably that’s more because of the supply than the demand. If Chase Dollander makes it this far he could make sense, and Hurston Waldrep also seems to fit what the Angels have done in recent years. There’s also been some thought that Waldrep could push up into the top 12. For hitters, Shaw is mentioned here and both Jacob Gonzalez and Enrique Bradfield might be options as well. Bryce Eldridge is one of the few high school players linked to the Angels, and this might be the higher range for him.
Update: With Lowder now the pick for the Rockies, I have Dollander getting to this spot with the Angels, though I’m not super confident that he makes it here or that the Angels would prefer to get an arm compared to a fast moving bat with the way the board has played out in this scenario. Matt Shaw continues to garner plenty of buzz here.
Dart Throw Later Picks:
12. D-backs — Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.
Slot Value: $5,043,800
Total Bonus Pool: $11,084,300
As we mentioned in our previous mock, Arizona is consistently linked with Colin Houck, though it also gets tied to Teel, who is the best catcher in the class. Teel’s realistic range of outcomes feels higher than Houck’s at this point—there’s a real chance he goes inside the top 10—but there will almost undoubtedly be more high school shortstops available for Arizona with its second pick at No. 48 than viable catchers. Colt Emerson could be a fit here, or any of the college infielders who are already off the board in this mock if they make it to this point.
Update: This adjustment is tied to the Reds pick at No. 7. Previously I didn’t have Cincinnati passing on Kyle Teel, but now that he’s the pick there, I think it’s safer to go back to the red hot Colin Houck/D-Backs rumors for this pick—making Houck the first prep shortstop of an extremely deep group. I’ll also note Tommy Troy as a name to keep in mind here.
Dart Throw Later Picks: OF Devin Saltiban;
13. Cubs — Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
Slot Value: $4,848,500
Total Bonus Pool: $8,962,000
The Cubs are tied to all sorts of demographics here, though it’s more often hitters than pitchers—presumably given the greater number of offensive options available. High schoolers Aidan Miller, Arjun Nimmala, Bryce Eldridge and Blake Mitchell could fit here, as could Brayden Taylor and Matt Shaw. I think the Cubs could entertain Noble Meyer or Thomas White here, but with Wilson here he’s the pick. It’s hard to top his bat-to-ball skills in this class.
Update: I’m now thinking the Cubs are more likely to go for a hitter at this pick, and that’s the strength of the board here anyway. It also sounds like they are hunting value and could explore under-slot options. A number of college or high school hitters could make sense in that scenario and create a wide range of options for Chicago. Tommy Troy could make sense considering that, as could Enrique Bradfield, Nolan Schanuel, Chase Davis or any of the top college third basemen available, though I have not specifically heard Yohandy Morales or Brock Wilken mentioned this high.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS/3B Eric Bitonti; OF Duce Robinson
14. Red Sox — Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
Slot Value: $4,663,100
Total Bonus Pool: $10,295,100
Boston has taken high school hitters with each of its last four picks in the first round: Mikey Romero, Marcelo Mayer, Nick Yorke and Triston Casas. There’s no obvious California prep shortstop for them in this spot this year, but I’m still hearing mostly bats for the Red Sox and talk of an underslot deal as well.
Update: I’m still torn between whether Aidan Miller or Matt Shaw is the better option here for Boston. Their draft history indicates the prep player, but I’ve also heard that this could be the floor for Shaw. Maybe the college bat who has performed at a high level is the safest option, unless the Red Sox really are just trying to save money here. Shaw’s floor seems higher than Miller’s. Tommy Troy is also a name that gets brought up. I’ve not heard any pitchers mentioned here.
Dart Throw Later Picks: OF Caden Sorrell; C Michael Carico; SS Roman Martin; SS/3B Eric Bitonti
15. White Sox — Tommy Troy, 3B, Stanford
Slot Value: $4,488,600
Total Bonus Pool: $9,072,800
It’s been college and hitter heavy for the White Sox for a while now in my conversations, and they should be right in the middle of a solid wave of college hitters. In this scenario Troy, Enrique Bradfield, Nolan Schanuel and Chase Davis seem to be the best of the bunch. Chicago gets linked more to the college third base duo of Yohandy Morales and Brock Wilken than others around it as well, and I think they are real options here as well. It’s very hard to see players like Brayden Taylor and Jacob Gonzalez getting much further down the board than this if they are somehow still available with all of the potential landing spots in front.
Update: I feel like Brayden Taylor and Jacob Gonzalez could be the top targets for this spot, but they aren’t getting here in how I’ve played out the first round. Don’t count out a prep pitcher with the White Sox, which means Noble Meyer or Thomas White could potentially be options. That’s notable when many teams in the top 20 are notoriously not linked to the prep pitchers.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Adrian Santana
16. Giants — Enrique Bradfield, OF, Vanderbilt
Slot Value: $4,326,600
Total Bonus Pool: $9,916,900
It sounds like Bradfield could go anywhere from the back of the top 10 throughout the middle of the first round. He’s more difficult to place than some hitters who don’t have the same impact questions, but Bradfield’s speed and defensive tools are also far and away the best of the draft class. San Francisco sounds like one of the teams who could be in on him. Walker Martin is frequently mentioned here as well, and Nolan Schanuel could also be a fit. I’m curious if the Giants would take a pitcher here—in this scenario Noble Meyer, Hurston Waldrep and Thomas White are all available—but I am mostly hearing bats. Tommy Troy, Matt Shaw and Aidan Miller might be a fit here.
Update: Unlike the White Sox right in front, this is one of the teams in the first where I would be surprised with a high school pitcher. It feels like a hitter, though I’m not sure whether they would be in or out on Waldrep with him available here. I’m curious to see how San Francisco’s draft process unfolds this year and whether it’s a shift from how it’s previously operated.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Adrian Santana; 2B Quinn McDaniel
17. Orioles — Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Fla.
Slot Value: $4,169,700
Total Bonus Pool: $10,534,800
Many of the players who are dubbed “model favorites” get tied to the Orioles, including Nimmala, Nolan Schanuel and Chase Davis. There are arms that fit nicely on talent here if Baltimore is inclined to diversify a farm system that is overflowing with talented hitters, and it could also be interested in high school players—potentially on underslot deals—including Dillon Head, George Lombard Jr. and Bryce Eldridge.
Update: I’m still hearing the same names linked with the Orioles. I’ll stick with Nimmala, though, because I have no real reason to come off of him in this scenario.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP Kiefer Lord; OF Carson Roccaforte
18. Brewers — Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida
Slot Value: $4,021,400
Total Bonus Pool: $10,950,600
Milwaukee is one of the few teams in the 10-25 range which gets tied to pitchers often, and this board would provide it access to some pretty elite arm talent. Noble Meyer is available, but if he falls this far would the Brewers have the bonus pool money to keep him from getting to, say, Seattle? The same could be true for Thomas White if he’s available. Waldrep does get linked to the Brewers, and he has some of the best pure stuff in the class. If it’s not an arm, then Nolan Schanuel could make a lot of sense, or perhaps even a late-rising college arm like Joe Whitman or Ty Floyd.
Update: Similar to the pick in front, I’m sticking with the Waldrep pick here with the Brewers.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS/3B Eric Bitonti; SS AJ Gracia; LHP Adler Cecil; SS Jay Harry
19. Rays — Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, Fla.
Slot Value: $3,880,100
Total Bonus Pool: $10,872,100
It’s always tough to get a read on the Rays. I have them going with one of the top players available in Colin Houck here, though I haven’t heard that specific player/team link. A few names who are mentioned with Tampa Bay include Hurston Waldrep (who is not available), Enrique Bradfield (also not available) and high schoolers Sammy Stafura, Alex Clemmey and Tai Peete—all of whom could make more sense with its next pick at No. 31.
Update: Houck’s not available now after reverting back to the D-Backs/Houck connection at pick No. 12, so instead I’ll have the Rays taking Aidan Miller, who is a fantastic hit/power threat who seems to have a fairly wide range of outcomes on draft day. I get split feedback on whether Miller is a real option for the Rays here, but unfortunately this is one of those picks where I just might have to make it without any real confidence. The Rays sound like one of the teams high on Tai Peete. I expect Kyle Teel to be long gone by now but the Rays might pop him if he gets here.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Tai Peete
20. Blue Jays — Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic
Slot Value: $3,746,000
Total Bonus Pool: $6,529,700
Schanuel is linked to nearly all of the teams who are picking in the 17-23 range, so I’m expecting he goes off the board somewhere there unless he goes on some sort of underslot deal beforehand. Other model players like Chase Davis and Arjun Nimmala are frequently mentioned, and I think the Blue Jays could be in on Dillon Head and Kevin McGonigle as well, and they might be one of the earliest possible landing spots for Charlee Soto.
Update: The late noise is a lot of college players and specifically college hitters with the Blue Jays. There are still a number of good ones on the board, including Schanuel, Chase Davis, Yohandy Morales and Brock Wilken. Could Noble Meyer or Thomas White be options here since I have them available? They just took Brandon Barriera in this range last year, and certainly Meyer is a tier up from Barriera’s talent at the same time.
Dart Throw Later Picks: OF Grant Gray, RHP Laif Palmer; OF Devin Saltiban; SS Myles Naylor
21. Cardinals — Chase Davis, OF, Arizona
Slot Value: $3,618,200
Total Bonus Pool: $6,375,100
There are enough landing spots for Chase Davis in this range that I feel like he goes up here. The Cardinals are one team that has been strongly associated with him recently. If players like Arjun Nimmala, Hurston Waldrep or Tommy Troy are still available they could be a fit as well.
Update: I’ve not heard anything to pull me off the Chase Davis pick, though I do think St. Louis could be a team that would be interested in all of the top high school pitchers. If Kyle Teel is somehow available here I think he could come off the board here as well.
Dart Throw Later Picks: 3B Mike Boeve, 3B Gino Groover
22. Mariners — Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.
Slot Value: $3,496,600
Total Bonus Pool: $13,170,900
I’ll be the first to admit that it’s surprising to see Meyer’s name this far down the draft board. He’s the No. 7-ranked player on our board, after all, and seen as the consensus top high school player in the draft. However, there’s an extremely talented crop of hitters, on both the college and high school sides, and the old draft adage is that the hitters rise and the high school pitchers fall. Potentially that is the case here. There should be someone who falls to the Mariners with this pick because it seems to happen year after year. Kevin Parada in 2022 to the Mets. Cam Collier in 2022 to the Reds. Kahlil Watson in 2021 to the Marlins. Brady Singer in 2018 to the Royals. There’s always a player who falls just a bit further than we expect, and they find a pretty good home with a team with multiple picks and lots of bonus pool money to throw around. This year that team is the Mariners. Getting a Pacific Northwest high school pitcher with uber upside could be a really fun combination. There are more organizations who are simply out entirely on high school pitchers in the first round compared to hitters, so perhaps there’s a chance the prep pitchers slide.
Update: The Mariners have been more averse to high school pitching, but this is an elite talent falling to this pick and Meyer seems to have some of the traits that Seattle covets in pitchers. Having three picks inside the top 30 should presumably allow teams to take more risks.
Dart Throw Later Picks: LHP Alexander Clemmey; RHP Steven Echavarria; SS Tai Peete; SS Adrian Santana
23. Guardians — Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn HS, New Concord, Ohio
Slot Value: $3,380,900
Total Bonus Pool: $8,736,700
Emerson continues to get linked to Cleveland, and he makes sense as an ultra-young prepster with solid contact skills. This feels like the lower end of outcomes for Nolan Schanuel, and if he’s on the board I could see the Guardians pouncing. I’d assume the same is true if Arjun Nimmala somehow makes it this far—for the same reasons they are tied to Emerson. Eric Bitonti could be an interesting underslot option here as well for a team that has employed that strategy in the past. LSU righty Ty Floyd has been gaining late helium and is sounding like a potential first-rounder, and Cleveland has historically valued pitchers with his fastball metrics. Chase Davis and Bryce Eldridge are two players who fit on talent in this range, but who might not be fits for Cleveland.
Update: Everything mentioned previously still tracks for the Guardians at this point. I’d be surprised if they have an over-slot deal here unless they find some absurd player value slipping.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP Jason DeCaro; SS Jarren Purify; SS Eric Bitonti; RHP Tanner Hall
24. Braves — George Lombard Jr., SS, Gulliver Prep HS, Miami
Slot Value: $3,270,500
Total Bonus Pool: $8,341,700
Lombard Jr.’s range seems to be from 21-28, though it would also not shock me if he goes to the Orioles at No. 17. He’s available in this version of the mock, and he has consistently been linked with the Braves. In lieu of an option that I feel more comfortable with at this stage, he’s the pick. Bryce Eldridge is also a name that gets mentioned here reasonably consistently. I expect the Braves will look for an underslot deal at 24 given how Alex Anthopoulos has operated in the past. Atlanta could be hoping for a college bat to slide, but there are numerous landing spots for all those profiles among the top 20 picks, so it feels more likely that a high school hitter is the best option. Walker Martin could be another name to keep in mind.
Update: Both George Lombard Jr. and Walker Martin are getting serious buzz at picks 24 and 25. Given the consistent Lombard Jr. connection with Atlanta I will stick with it here. The Braves like exit velocity, so power-hitting college third basemen like Yohandy Morales and Brock Wilken are intriguing options here and are the best college bats available if the Braves want to go that route.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP Jonathan Rogers, RHP Laif Palmer
25. Padres — Walker Martin, SS, Eaton (Colo.) HS
Slot Value: $3,165,400
Total Bonus Pool: $5,416,000
I previously mocked Chase Davis to the Padres and I think they would be interested if he were available. In this scenario, he goes off a few picks in front, leaving the Padres with a number of high school players. Walker Martin is a name that is tied to San Diego and I get the sense it would be less worried about his age than more model-heavy teams might be. Dillon Head is a name who’s been tied to San Diego as well and could make sense here, as could Bryce Eldridge and Trent Caraway.
Update: I hadn’t heard Lombard Jr.’s name tied to San Diego much previously, but that has come up lately. They scouted him heavily this spring, but the Padres scout everyone heavily compared to the industry, so that could simply be a sign of their detailed and exhaustive amateur scouting process.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Eric Bitonti; 3B Trent Caraway
26. Yankees — Sammy Stafura, SS, Walter Panas HS, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.
Slot Value: $3,065,000
Total Bonus Pool: $5,299,400
Considering the Yankees just drafted Spencer Jones a year ago, it would make sense for them to be another team intrigued by Bryce Eldridge—who is pretty close to the high school version of Jones. However, with Sammy Stafura on the board here it’s hard to not put him with the Yankees considering how much the team has been tied to him. Many people in the industry simply think he’s their guy at this point. It feels a lot like last year with Spencer Jones in that regard. It’s interesting to wonder if the Yankees would still take Stafura if they were picking between him and an arm talent like Thomas White, who many considered a potential top-10 pick at times this spring but is slipping in this mock. It’s much tougher to actually pull the trigger on White in this mock, though, considering the buzz connecting New York and Stafura, especially when you remember the organization hasn’t taken a prep pitcher in the first round since Ian Clarkin in 2013.
Update: No change here, though I am starting to sweat more about the Yankees staring down Thomas White on the board here.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Tai Peete
27. Phillies — Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.
Slot Value: $2,968,800
Total Bonus Pool: $5,185,500
This could be around the floor for Chase Davis if he still finds himself on the board, though there are enough teams on him that I don’t expect that to happen. The Phillies are commonly associated with high school pitchers because they have taken Andrew Painter and Mick Abel in recent years. Both those picks seem to be working out well. I think the Phillies are just going to take the best player available here, whether that’s an arm like White or one of the high school shortstops who could be around. I don’t know if they are in on Walker Martin, but if they were that would make a lot of sense.
Update: I don’t have Davis getting this far once again, but people continue to think this is his floor if he is available. I’m sticking with White, though it could make some sense for him to slide down a few more picks and take an over-slot deal in the supplemental first at this point—which could make him a trickier sign for the Phillies. Perhaps if not White the Phillies could go for a fast-moving college player. But those profiles seem to be long gone already.
Dart Throw Later Picks:
28. Astros — Ty Floyd, RHP, Louisiana State
Slot Value: $2,880,700
Total Bonus Pool: $6,747,900
This would give Louisiana State three first-round picks and put it in fairly exclusive company. It sounds like the Astros really like Floyd’s riding four-seam fastball, which averaged around 19 inches of induced vertical break from a lower release point this spring. He generated a 29% miss rate with the pitch this year and also ended the season on a high note with 17 strikeouts in eight innings in the College World Series against Florida. College pitching falls off in a big way once Hurston Waldrep is off the board and Floyd has a decent chance to be the next player selected from that demographic. If the Yankees pass on Stafura he could be a fit in this spot. Walker Martin, Bryce Eldridge and Ralphy Velazquez could be other names that fit.
Update: No real change here. It’ll be interesting to see how Dana Brown does things in his first year running the show with Houston.
Dart Throw Later Picks: SS Avery Ortiz; RHP Jackson Baumeister
29. Mariners — Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
Slot Value: $2,800,700
Total Bonus Pool: $13,170,900
Wilken is more of a talent that makes sense here for the Mariners than a specific link I have for them at this range. He could go throughout the 20s, but both he and Yohandy Morales simply don’t get as much buzz as the middle infielders. Don’t be surprised if one of them surprises us and goes a lot sooner.
Update: No change. More of a value pick here than a specific team link.
30. Mariners — Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS, Chantilly, Va.
Slot Value: $2,732,500
Total Bonus Pool: $13,170,900
Unlike Wilken, I have heard that the Mariners are on Farmelo and he makes sense here on talent, I think. It’s a well-rounded profile with good pure hitting ability, speed and defense. Seattle has enough bonus pool money to sign him out of Virginia.
Update: I continue to hear Farmelo’s name associated with the Mariners. Sticking with that link. Charlee Soto could also make some sense with any of the Mariners picks.
31. Rays — Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor, Ill.
Slot Value: $2,670,600
Total Bonus Pool: $10,872,100
I don’t know that Tai Peete is viewed as a consensus top-40-type player, but I have heard that a few teams are really excited about him. The Rays and the Yankees both fit that description. He’s a twitchy athlete and is a legitimate prospect as a pitcher as well as a hitter.
Update: I still think the Rays like Peete, but I am instead pivoting to Dillon Head here, who I also think the Rays like and seems to be more of a fit here based on the consensus view of talent. The Rays pick again at No. 55 and could presumably take Peete there, though given how often his name has been mentioned leading up to the draft maybe that’s a naive thought from me.
32. Mets — Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami
Slot Value: $2,607,500
Total Bonus Pool: $8,440,400
Like I mentioned with Wilken, I think it’s possible that Morales goes well before this, but I’ve heard the Mets could be interested if he’s available. He’s not the pure hitter type that the organization has targeted recently. If the Mets want to go that direction, perhaps Kevin McGonigle could be a fit.
Update: No update here.
33. Brewers — Joe Whitman, LHP, Kent State
Slot Value: $2,543,800
Total Bonus Pool: $10,950,600
California prep bats like Caraway, Eric Bitonti and Ralphy Velazquez start to get mentioned a bit more in the supplemental range, and lately Caraway has drawn the most attention of the group.
Update: I feel foolish mentioning Whitman with the Brewers in the previous mock draft but not simply making him the pick here at No. 33 where he makes a ton of sense on talent. So that’s the change, though I still think the club is interested in Trent Caraway.
34. Twins — Eric Bitonti, SS/3B, Aquinas HS, San Bernardino, Calif.
Slot Value: $2,481,400
Total Bonus Pool: $14,345,600
Whitman is probably the favorite to be the first college lefthander picked this year and there’s a chance he goes in the first round. If he doesn’t I don’t expect it’ll take too much longer once teams start looking around at other college pitching options.
Update: The Twins seem like one of the heaviest teams on Bitonti, who is exceptionally young for the class and should be stuffed on draft boards for many model-driven teams.
35. Marlins — Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian Academy HS, Kissimmee, Fla.
Slot Value: $2,420,900
Total Bonus Pool:
McGonigle doesn’t get the same amount of buzz as other top prep shortstops like Arjun Nimmala, Colin Houck, Walker Martin, Adrian Santana or Colt Emerson. Perhaps I’m just missing those conversations. It also sounds like signability has become a bigger question with him in recent days, though whether that’s posturing or real is impossible to say. It feels odd that the industry would let arguably the best pure hitter in the high school class get to Auburn … right?
Update: Kevin McGonigle makes plenty of sense on talent still, but Charlee Soto is a name who has been linked to Miami and with it taking a college hitter at pick No. 10 I have it now playing to its developmental strengths with a hyper-talented prep arm here in the supplemental round.
36. Dodgers — Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner HS, Drexel Hill, Penn.
Slot Value: $2,362,700
Total Bonus Pool: $7,274,600
While Kevin McGonigle has some signability questions, it seems like Soto has teams questioning the shape and metrics on his fastball—sort of along the same lines as Ty Madden’s fastball in 2021. I feel confident Soto does pretty much everything else well enough that it’ll end up being a minor nitpick for a team rather than a real deal-breaker. He throws hard, has one of the best sliders and changeups in the prep class and is also an impressive athlete with physicality and youth on his side. That’s a lot of checked boxes.
Update: I think if Jonny Farmelo is available he makes plenty of sense here, though the Dodgers have seemingly scouted McGonigle pretty heavily this spring. This would be a fantastic value.
Dart Throw Later Picks: RHP TJ Nichols
37. Tigers — Bryce Eldridge, RHP/1B, Madison HS, Vienna, Va.
Slot Value: $2,309,500
Total Bonus Pool: $12,829,600
I have heard the Tigers are one of the teams interested in Eldridge. Perhaps Detroit is able to get him here on an overslot deal.
Update: Nothing new here.
38. Reds — Travis Sykora, RHP, Round Rock (Texas) HS
Slot Value: $2,255,100
Total Bonus Pool: $13,785,200
In this mock I don’t have the Reds taking Kyle Teel at No. 7, but they could potentially swing back around in the supplemental round and get one of the big three catchers in the class with Velazquez.
Update: I think it’s less likely for the Reds to double up on catchers, so I have them taking one of the best players available here at No. 38 instead of Ralphy Velazquez now that I flipped to Teel at No. 7. I do think the Reds like Sykora quite a bit. His name hasn’t been mentioned a ton, but he has supreme arm talent and the Reds scouted him hard this spring.
39. A’s — Ralphy Velazquez, C, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
Slot Value: $2,202,500
Total Bonus Pool: $14,255,600
I mainly wanted to get Head into this mock draft. He’s one of the players I just couldn’t find a home for in this version, but who has a decent chance to go inside the first round. It’s great speed and defense in center field with solid contact skills at the plate.
Update: I previously had Dillon Head here, but now he’s off the board and I also feel better about a player/team connection with Velazquez, who mostly gets mentioned in the supplemental first and early second. The Reds are another team that could make sense for him.
Geoff Pontes, Kyle Glaser and Peter Flaherty contributed to the reporting.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o63SnpmapJyWuqa%2ByJyYZ5ufony0wM6roJ6rX2d9c3%2BMpqObZZ2ksKx5w6uYn6xdq7Kzv8iopWZtXWV8