Draft Day 1: LIVE pick-by-pick rundown, analysis

The 2023 MLB Draft is right here. Day 1 consists of the primary 70 alternatives, protecting Rounds 1 and a couple of, Competitive Balance Rounds A and B, a Prospect Promotion Incentive decide, plus three compensation picks.

Round 1 is underway now, reside on MLB Network, MLB.com and ESPN. Days 2 (Rounds 3-10) and three (Rounds 11-20) start at 2 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday and can stream reside completely on MLB.com.

Follow alongside right here all evening for a rundown of each decide with evaluation by MLB Pipeline and MLB Network specialists.

1) Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State
After it sounded just like the Pirates had been wanting extra at this class’ offensive choices, they opted to go together with the most effective participant on MLB Pipeline’s Draft Top 250. Considered by many to be a generational kind of expertise, Skenes was the most effective school pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg, in keeping with evaluators. In his solely 12 months with LSU after transferring from Air Force, the previous two-way participant (He was a catcher!) put up online game numbers in serving to the Tigers win the College World Series, ending with a 1.69 ERA, 15.3 Ok/9 and simply 1.5 BB/9. His 80-grade fastball sat 98 mph and commonly hit triple digits, his slider is unhittable and his energy changeup has the possibility to be excellent as properly. Skenes isn’t anticipated to wish an excessive amount of time to get to the large leagues; some scouts suppose he may get Major League hitters out together with his stuff proper now. More >

2) Nationals: Dylan Crews, OF, Louisiana State
Based on pre-Draft buzz, the one factor which may have stored the Nationals from taking Paul Skenes with their decide was if the Pirates chosen him, and that’s precisely what occurred. Most felt that if this occurred, the Nats would go together with Skenes’ teammate, Crews, who was the 2023 Golden Spikes Award Winner and sat atop many Draft boards. The middle fielder has a monitor file of success within the SEC and saved the most effective for final, hitting .426/.567/.713 in 2023. He can play middle subject and hit for common and energy due to a sophisticated method on the plate, one which helped him stroll extra occasions than he struck out in his LSU profession. Like Skenes, it shouldn’t take Crews lengthy to be huge league prepared; he’s the sort of school hitter who may deal with an aggressive project and make a beeline to Washington. More >

3) Tigers: Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) HS
While this isn’t an enormous shock, as Clark was within the combine at No. 1 and all through the highest 5, projections had been usually school hitters on this spot, so it’s somewhat stunning to not see Wyatt Langford go right here. That stated, Clark might need as excessive of an upside as anybody on this class. He has the most effective all-around set of instruments within the class and has the possibility to have all 5 at his disposal. He’s a no-doubt middle fielder who can actually run and has a plus arm from the outfield. He makes constantly arduous contact, and whereas energy was the one instrument seemingly behind the others, he’d made strides in including power throughout his senior 12 months. Clark performs with a ton of power and fervour always. More >

4) Rangers: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida
Langford didn’t have to attend lengthy to listen to his identify known as. Some scouts felt he belonged in the identical dialog as Dylan Crews, a minimum of when it comes to his offensive potential. After not enjoying a lot throughout his freshman 12 months at Florida, Langford burst onto the scene in 2022, hitting 26 homers and ending with a 1.166 OPS. He by some means upped his recreation this previous season with a 1.282 OPS, strolling extra occasions than he struck out whereas hitting 21 homers. The solely factor he hasn’t accomplished a lot of, in comparison with Crews, is play middle subject, although some really feel the right-handed hitter has the athleticism to take action, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if the Rangers give him an opportunity to a minimum of begin his professional profession there. The Rangers have now chosen a school participant within the first spherical for a fifth straight 12 months. More >

5) Twins: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS, Southport, N.C.
While we didn’t predict them within the right order, the highest 5 abilities within the class left the board within the high 5. There was numerous discuss that the Twins may find yourself going with a school hitter right here, as they’re a group that usually lean on their mannequin to tell picks. The left-handed hitter has a ton of energy, each now and sooner or later, and actually helped his profile by exhibiting he can play middle subject and demonstrating extra athleticism than he had previously. More >

6) Athletics: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
The son of former huge leaguer Jack Wilson, Jacob performs the identical place as his dad and will likely be ready to take action for a really very long time. He additionally has a really sturdy monitor file of hitting, with a .977 OPS in his GCU profession. He hit .412/.461/.635 as a junior and continued to be maybe the most effective contact hitter in school baseball, hanging out in simply 2.3 p.c of his plate appearances as a junior. More >

7) Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest
After Paul Skenes, Lowder was the most effective, and most constant, school pitcher within the class. And whereas the Reds had been taking a look at quite a few hitters out there, they couldn’t cross up his mixture of stuff, command and competitiveness. He has sufficient fastball velocity, as much as 97 mph at occasions with good sink, however it’s his plus changeup that’s a separator, and his slider flashes plus. Lowder throws strikes with all three, and it’s simple to dream of him attending to Cincinnati in a rush. More >

8) Royals: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton (Texas) HS
The Royals are not any stranger to taking a excessive schooler this excessive, having taken their No. 5 prospect, Frank Mozzicato, No. 7 total in 2021. Like in that state of affairs, it appears just like the Royals have gotten an excellent expertise who will even be a cash saver, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how they use their bonus pool cash shifting ahead, with an additional decide at No. 66 total offering an even bigger pool. High college catching could be a dangerous demographic, however Mitchell has the possibility to hit, and with energy, and he’s bought all of the instruments to stay behind the plate. More >

9) Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
All indicators pointed to the Rockies concentrating on pitching, and with Rhett Lowder off the board, Dollander was the next-best possibility amongst school arms. Stuff-wise, he belongs up this excessive, with a plus fastball and slider to associate with a great changeup and curve. His outcomes this 12 months didn’t match the stuff, together with his command struggling at occasions. Some imagine Dollander’s points may be fastened with professional instruction, one thing the Rockies are banking on. More >

10) Marlins: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.
Meyer was thought of the most effective highschool arm within the class, providing an attractive mixture of stuff, really feel for pitching and projection. Coming from the identical highschool program as Phillies prospect (and 2023 Futures Game starter) Mick Abel, Meyer has a fastball that flirts with triple digits and a slider that ought to be plus in time. He additionally has higher really feel for a changeup than many prepsters and usually is across the strike zone, with frontline starter potential. More >

11) Angels: Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic
This has lengthy been thought of a touchdown spot for a school bat; it was a matter of which one. The Angels like taking superior gamers who can get to the large leagues rapidly, and after their success with Zach Neto final 12 months, Schanuel suits what the Halos are attempting to do. He was arguably the most effective performer within the school recreation in 2023, hitting .447 with a 1.483 OPS and a ridiculous 14/71 Ok/BB ratio. He is perhaps athletic sufficient to deal with an outfield nook, however it’s the bat that may carry him. More >

12) D-backs: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford
Troy hit properly in his sophomore 12 months at Stanford, then stored it going with a robust Cape Cod League final summer season to place himself extra firmly on the first-round map. He turned it up a notch as a junior, hitting near .400 with 17 homers and 17 steals. He’s athletic and runs properly, and he has proven the flexibility to play three infield positions. More >

13) Cubs: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
One of the higher pure school hitters within the class, Shaw earned Cape Cod League MVP honors final summer season, then posted a 1.142 OPS with 24 homers and 18 steals for the Terrapins in 2023. He performed principally shortstop in school however moved round a bit early and whereas enjoying on the Cape, with most pondering second base is the most effective residence for him long-term if he stays on the filth. More >

14) Red Sox: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
Teel was a strong highschool prospect in 2020 however eliminated his identify from the Draft so he may head to Virginia. Three years later, he performed his means into the highest 15. He’s a super-athletic backstop who has the possibility to stay behind the plate with an arm that’s simply plus. He’s a left-handed hitter with a sophisticated method who appeared to discover a good stability between hitting for common and energy in 2023. This breaks a streak of 4 straight highschool hitters taken by the Red Sox with their first-round picks. More >

15) White Sox: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi
Gonzalez’s identify was arising as excessive as No. 5 to the Twins. With a strong method, Gonzalez works counts and attracts walks, and he did a greater job in 2023 of not getting power-happy whereas nonetheless ending with a .999 OPS. The left-handed hitter has the possibility to be an above-average hitter with higher than common energy, although it stays to be seen if he can stick at shortstop on the subsequent degree, with third or second maybe higher long-term choices. More >

16) Giants: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison HS, Vienna, Va.
The most attention-grabbing a part of this decide is that Eldridge was introduced as a two-way participant, and he’ll be part of Reggie Crawford as a two-way man within the group. His bat had jumped forward of his mound work throughout his senior season, with spectacular uncooked energy from the left facet. The 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher does have arm power, with a fastball that touches 96-97 and a few really feel for spin and a changeup, however his pitching may take extra time to develop than his bat. More >

17) Orioles: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt
Bradfield’s carrying instrument is his pace, and he has loads of it, incomes an 80 grade on the scouting scale for his wheels. He ought to be a severe basestealing risk on the subsequent degree, and his pace helps him be a premium defender in middle subject. While he has added somewhat power, his recreation is making contact and getting on base so he can use that pace to his best benefit. The O’s have now taken a school hitter with three of their final 4 opening picks. More >

18) Brewers: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
If you want energy, you’re going to love Wilken. He has as a lot uncooked pop as anybody within the class, and he bought to it in school, setting Wake Forest data for profession homers after smashing 31 this season. He improved his total method in 2023, with extra walks than strikeouts (although there’ll at all times possible be some swing and miss to his recreation), serving to him get to his pop much more. He may be capable to stick at third, however it’s the bat the Brewers purchased right here. That’s now 5 straight school bats within the first spherical for Milwaukee. More >

19) Rays: Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian
We had been listening to Taylor’s identify as excessive as No. 6, so the Rays are possible very excited his candy left-handed swing was nonetheless on the board right here. He makes a ton of arduous contact and does a great job working counts, serving to him get to his energy extra. He profiles as somebody who ought to hit for common and energy even when he hunted homers extra in 2023 (and bought them, with 23). He’s a great athlete and defender, with extra projection than many school bats. More >

20) Blue Jays: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Fla.
One of the youngest gamers within the class, the 17-year-old Nimmala affords an intriguing mixture of projection and uncooked energy in a center infielder bundle. He can drive the ball to all fields and will faucet into that uncooked pop extra constantly as he refines his method. He has each likelihood to stay at shortstop for a very long time and has spectacular upside, with the potential to develop plus instruments throughout the board. More >

21) Cardinals: Chase Davis, OF, Arizona
Since his highschool days, Davis — whose identify got here up as early because the Red Sox’s decide at 14 — has proven glimpses of his plus uncooked energy from the left facet of the plate. In 2023, he carried over some changes and confirmed a a lot better method, chopping down his strikeout fee significantly and upping his energy manufacturing consequently. He’s most likely a nook outfielder sooner or later however may get the possibility to play middle to start out out. More >

22) Mariners: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Glenn HS, New Concord, Ohio
A 12 months in the past, the Mariners took a left-handed-hitting center infielder out of the highschool ranks in Cole Young, they usually did it once more right here. Emerson has an analogous profile to Young as a prep participant with the possibility to be a plus hitter with a really superior method on the plate. There is energy for him to develop into as properly, and whereas he’s a strong defender, he could not play shortstop perpetually, however third or second may work simply tremendous. More >

23) Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
A lot of highschool bats had been talked about right here, and Velazquez has an opportunity to be a very good one. A left-handed hitter who stood out at USA Baseball’s National High School Invitational this spring, Velazquez routinely finds the barrel and has loads of uncooked energy and power to faucet into. There’s some query about whether or not he can stick behind the plate, however even when he has to maneuver to first, his bat ought to profile properly there. More >

24) Braves: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida
The Braves didn’t suppose Waldrep would nonetheless be out there, as he was typically perceived to be considered one of 4 school arms who had been sure-fire first-rounders. Purely when it comes to stuff, Waldrep belonged increased than right here, with a fastball that touches the higher 90s, a strong slider and a fully nasty splitter that misses bats at a really excessive fee. The solely factor holding the Gators right-hander again is his command, one thing he can refine to be a starter long-term. More >

25) Padres: Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor, Ill.
Head can problem Enrique Bradfield Jr. for the respect of quickest participant within the class. A real 80 runner, he is aware of find out how to use his pace on either side of the ball, enjoying an impressive middle subject with good reads and routes whereas stealing bases commonly. He’ll possible by no means be a real energy man however ought to have sufficient power to impression the ball whereas being a contact-first, on-base kind who may hit on the high of the lineup. A sort of typical Padres upside decide right here.

26) Yankees: George Lombard Jr., SS/3B, Gulliver Prep, Pinecrest, Fla.
After taking a school hitter for 3 years in a row, the Yankees went again to the highschool infielder group for the primary time since they picked Anthony Volpe in 2019. The son of George Lombard Sr., a former huge leaguer who’s now the Tigers’ bench coach, Lombard had some helium because the Draft approached, finally reaching the primary spherical. With an athletic 6-foot-3 body, he appears the half and has a ton of uncooked pop to faucet into from the left facet, although it comes with some swing and miss. While he may begin out as a shortstop, Lombard may fill out his body and land at third, however the energy ought to profile tremendous there.

27) Phillies: Aidan Miller, SS, Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, Fla.
This may find yourself wanting like one of many steals of the primary spherical after we look again at it. Miller gained the High School Home Run Derby and All-American Game MVP honors in Los Angeles a 12 months in the past and regarded like he is perhaps probably the greatest highschool hitters within the class. But he missed most of his senior 12 months after breaking his hamate, making him more durable to guage. Miller has the possibility to hit, and with a ton of energy. Even although he was introduced as a shortstop, he may profile finest on the scorching nook.

28) Astros: Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska
This one might need taken some without warning, as Matthews profiled extra as a second-round kind of expertise. But he does have an thrilling mixture of residence run potential and plus pace. Don’t be stunned if the Astros give him the possibility to stay at brief, however he is perhaps higher suited as an offensive-minded second baseman in the long run.

29) Mariners: Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS, Chantilly, Va.
Farmelo’s identify had been creeping up Draft boards because the spring progressed, with some space scouts pondering his instruments matched up favorably with any prep participant within the class. A left-handed hitter who may have strong to plus instruments throughout the board, Farmelo has plus wheels now, making him a harmful baserunner and a strong middle fielder.

30) Mariners: Tai Peete, SS, Trinity Christian HS, Sharpsburg, Ga.

31) Rays: Adrian Santana, SS, Doral (Fla.) Academy