With the primary two days of the 2023 MLB Draft already accomplished, the most-hyped names are already off the board. But that does not imply there is not game-changing expertise nonetheless obtainable because the Draft concludes at this time with Rounds 11-20.
Five of this yr’s All-Stars have been taken and signed within the tenth spherical or later after they first entered professional ball: Jordan Romano (tenth), Nathan Eovaldi (eleventh), Josh Hader (nineteenth), J.D. Martinez (twentieth) and David Bednar (thirty fifth). That’s an elite starter, a dominant DH and three lights-out arms who didn’t hear their names referred to as till very late within the course of.
Listen to each Day 3 decide reside on MLB.com, with no delay between picks, and observe alongside proper right here for round-by-round evaluation.
Pick 5 (319th general), Royals: Jared Dickey, OF/C, Tennessee (No. 115 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 rankings)
A profession .343 hitter in Knoxville, Dickey prioritizes making contact as a left-handed hitter with nice hand-eye coordination. He wants that ability contemplating he has a busy setup on the plate, but it surely’s one which appears to maintain him on time along with his sweet-looking swing. He has some catching expertise however was thought of a below-average receiver; Kansas City introduced the 21-year-old as an outfielder.
Pick 16 (330th general), Giants: Jack Payton, C, Louisville (No. 148)
Louisville has a robust current historical past of growing catchers between Will Smith, Henry Davis and Dalton Rushing. Payton may fall in step with that group due to a promising bat that helped him hit .374/.472/.643 with 12 homers this spring. Questions about his receiving and throwing potential might have precipitated this drop, however San Francisco would possibly attempt to observe the Patrick Bailey playbook in its improvement of Payton, ought to he signal.
Pick 18 (332nd general), Brewers: Bishop Letson, RHP, Floyd Central (Ind.) HS (No. 179)
Milwaukee made a giant play by taking Top 50 Draft prospect Cooper Pratt within the sixth spherical and could be going for an additional coup right here with Letson. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has a fastball within the 88-94 mph vary already and loads of room so as to add extra velo as he provides weight to his present 170-pound body. He additionally exhibits good really feel for a slider and changeup and is dedicated to Purdue if he doesn’t signal with the Crew.
Pick 29 (343rd general), Phillies: Kehden Hettiger, Sierra Canyon (Calif.) School (No. 177)
Sierra Canyon would possibly pop off to some as the varsity of Bronny James, however Hettiger gave the baseball facet some shine as a robust hitter out of the California prep ranks. The switch-hitter exhibits a complicated method for his age however stands out extra for his energy from the left facet. He has the arm for behind the plate however wants a variety of work on his receiving. The Phillies may have the house to signal him away from an Oregon dedication.
Pick 3 (347th general), Pirates: Khristian Curtis, RHP, Arizona State (No. 197)
Curtis stood out extra to scouts for his stuff than his outcomes with the Sun Devils (7.03 ERA, 58 strikeouts in 64 innings). His upper-80s cutter/slider earns above-average grades, and he has common fastball velo between his four-seamer and two-seamer at 92-93 mph. He’ll additionally combine in a curveball and changeup which are under common however give him sufficient of an arsenal to start out, although he does have a historical past of elbow issues.
Pick 11 (355th general), D-backs: Sam Knowlton, RHP, South Alabama (unranked)
Knowlton had the best bullpen velocity of any MLB Draft Combine participant, touching 98.0 mph in the course of the showcase at Chase Field. He has gone past that earlier than, touching as excessive as 102, whereas working with an 85-90 mph slider and a agency changeup within the low 90s. Knowlton has a Tommy John surgical procedure in his previous and might want to corral his management (21 walks in 23 innings this spring) within the execs.
Pick 15 (359th general), White Sox: Mathias LaCombe, RHP, Cochise (Ariz.) College (unranked)
LaCombe is a local of France with expertise with Pôle France Baseball de Toulouse and the French National Team. He got here stateside to pitch in junior faculty and exhibits some respectable velo within the 90-95 mph vary. He additionally possesses a 77-83 mph slider that is still inconsistent, however he appeared to be rising into himself because the 2023 season wore on. He has a dedication to Louisiana-Lafayette if he doesn’t be part of the Sox.
Pick 21 (365th general), Cardinals: Brayden Jobert, OF, LSU (unranked)
For all the thrill round Dylan Crews and Tommy White, it was Jobert who led LSU with three residence runs throughout Men’s College World Series play on the Tigers’ run to a title. The Louisiana native hit .301/.409/.596 with 14 homers over 60 video games in 2023 and has some left-handed pop that ought to play on the subsequent stage. With a below-average arm, he would possibly want to maneuver to first base full-time within the execs.
Pick 27 (371st general), Padres: Blake Dickerson, LHP, Ocean Lakes (Va.) HS (No. 158)
The Virginia Tech commit put himself on the map with robust showings within the 2022 summer season showcases. Standing at 6-foot-6 already, the 18-year-old sits 91-92 mph along with his fastball and receives his greatest grades for a slider with sharp break. He throws sufficient strikes to stay a starter however one other tick or two of velo as he matures would definitely assist.
Pick 3 (377th general), Pirates: Charles McAdoo, 2B, San Jose State (unranked)
There are definitely some championships in McAdoo’s household already. His cousin Bob gained a pair of NBA titles with the Lakers whereas his different cousin James Michael took residence a pair of rings with the Warriors. The 21-year-old infielder hit .325/.396/.572 with 24 homers over his three seasons on campus with the Spartans.
Pick 7 (381st general), Rangers: William Privette, RHP, College of Charleston (unranked)
Privette led Division I with a 0.91 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP over 25 appearances in 2022 and was a stable performer once more this spring with marks of two.36 and 1.14, respectively, whereas putting out 64 in 42 innings. He’s all fastball with a 92-95 mph heater that works properly up within the zone, however he lacks standout secondary pitches.
Pick 11 (385th general), D-backs: Hayden Durke, RHP, Rice (unranked)
In phrases of precise pitches, Durke flashes loads of potential with a fastball touching 99, a slider as much as 90, a curveball within the mid-80s and a changeup within the low 90s. The Louisiana-Lafayette switch was suspended for the 2023 season after testing constructive for a drug he claims was given to him in bodily remedy, and he made 4 appearances within the Cape Cod League this summer season, the place he fanned 14 and walked 16 in 13 1/3 frames.
Pick 2 (406th general), Athletics: Luke Mann, 3B, Missouri (unranked)
Mann was a five-year performer for the Tigers however took a stable step ahead as an All-SEC Second Teamer in 2023, hitting .311/.428/.680 in 54 video games. His 21 homers (the identical complete as No. 4 general decide Wyatt Langford) have been tied for eighth-most amongst sluggers within the loaded convention.
Pick 10 (414th general), Angels: Zach Joyce, RHP, Tennessee (unranked)
The Halos took Ben Joyce final yr, and he shortly earned a callup to the Majors in his first full season. This yr, they’ve gone again to the Joyce household and chosen his twin brother from the identical faculty. Zach Joyce stepped away from the sport for a time to prioritize his psychological well being however returned with a mid-90s fastball and a cutter that flashed potential this season.
Pick 21 (425th general), Cardinals: Jacob Odle, RHP, Orange Coast (Calif.) College (unranked)
The MLB Draft League grabbed headlines on an energetic Day 2 on Monday, and Odle’s choice proved to be one other success story for the circuit. Odle arguably had the most effective fastball within the Draft League this summer season, touching 98.5 mph with 17 inches of induced vertical break, and his curveball additionally generated a 71.4 % whiff charge, giving him two potential above-average choices.
Pick 25 (429th general), Braves: Mitch Farris, LHP, Wingate (N.C.) University (unranked)
The 6-foot-2 southpaw led Division II pitchers in strikeouts (127), WHIP (0.62) and batting common towards (.128) whereas rating second in ERA (1.21) over 89 innings. He operates within the higher 80s along with his heater however exhibits good really feel for a low-80s changeup and 73-75 mph breaking ball.
Pick 6 (440th general), Tigers: Brady Cerkownyk, Connors State (Okla.) JC (unranked)
The right-handed batter led the Junior College ranks with a .985 slugging proportion in 55 video games at Connor State and in addition positioned second with a .470 common and 27 homers. He was a good performer with Frederick within the MLB Draft League however will want a variety of work defensively, notably on the subject of limiting the operating recreation.
Pick 9 (443rd general), Marlins: Nigel Belgrave, RHP, Maryland (No. 250)
The 6-foot-4 right-hander exhibits actual promise with a fastball as much as 96 mph and low-80s slider that may get each swings and misses and many floor balls. There’s sufficient potential for a Major League bullpen arm, however he’ll must do a greater job of discovering the strike zone after strolling 29 in 33 2/3 innings as a redshirt sophomore.
Pick 14 (448th general), Red Sox: Phoenix Call, SS/OF, Calabasas (Calif.) HS (No. 226)
Call has loads of uncooked instruments that make him an intriguing prospect, beginning along with his plus velocity and spectacular arm power. Both of these abilities can play at each shortstop and middle subject, and golf equipment like Boston at all times covet up-the-middle skills. He confirmed some swing-and-miss points, regardless of good bat velocity within the spring, and he’ll work on his hitting potential at UCLA if he doesn’t signal with the Sox.
Pick 19 (453rd general), Rays: Will Stevens, RHP, Tarleton State (unranked)
Stevens missed time this spring with a hamstring difficulty however nonetheless confirmed spectacular stuff. His fastball reached 99 mph and confirmed reducing motion, whereas he blended in a wipeout mid-80s curveball and a slider as much as 90 that may flash plus. Stevens, who has hung out at Iowa Western and Wichita State, struggles to throw strikes at occasions, hurting his inventory regardless of the promising combine.
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