Final MLB Mock Draft: Projecting the Future of America’s Pastime

MLB Pipeline’s Final Mock Draft Predictions

Introduction

The hours leading up to the 2023 MLB Draft are ticking away, and teams are working tirelessly to finalize their draft boards. MLB Pipeline has released their final predictions for the first round of the draft, offering insights into the potential selections and the reasoning behind them. As the anticipation builds, teams are weighing the talent, cost, and strategic considerations involved in making their picks.

Pirates

Jim Callis: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida

Callis predicts the Pirates will choose Wyatt Langford, an outfielder from Florida. Despite LSU’s Dylan Crews being a more popular choice among teams, Langford may require a smaller bonus, which aligns with the Pirates’ financial constraints. Callis also suggests that the Pirates might surprise everyone and select Louisiana State right-hander Paul Skenes due to his unique talent.

Jonathan Mayo: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida

Mayo agrees with Callis, stating that there’s a growing sense the Pirates may opt for a bat over an arm. Langford’s abilities make him a viable option, especially if Crews is off the table. Mayo acknowledges that the Pirates will continue to evaluate their options leading up to the draft.

Nationals

Jim Callis: Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State

Callis believes that if the Pirates don’t select Skenes, the Nationals will take him without hesitation. However, if Skenes isn’t available, Crews would be their backup plan.

Jonathan Mayo: Paul Skenes, RHP, Louisiana State

Mayo echoes Callis’ prediction, stating that the Nationals will get their desired pick if the Pirates don’t choose Skenes.

Tigers

Jim Callis: Dylan Crews, OF, Louisiana State

Callis predicts that with Skenes off the board, the Tigers will select whichever Southeastern Conference outfielder remains, which in this case, is Crews. This pick aligns with the Tigers’ preference for college outfielders.

Jonathan Mayo: Dylan Crews, OF, Louisiana State

Mayo agrees that the Tigers will be delighted to have Crews available as their pick in this scenario.

Rangers

Jim Callis: Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) HS

Callis believes that if Langford or Crews somehow reach the fourth spot, the Rangers would eagerly select either of them. However, with both outfielders unlikely to be available, the Rangers seem more inclined towards Max Clark, a high school outfielder. Callis notes that Clark and Walker Jenkins would have been top choices in a less-loaded draft.

Jonathan Mayo: Max Clark, OF, Franklin (Ind.) HS

Mayo also predicts that the Rangers will take Clark given that the top college players are already off the board.

Twins

Jim Callis: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS, Southport, N.C.

Callis suggests that the Twins will select the remaining top-tier prospect available. He speculates that Rhett Lowder and Jacob Gonzalez, both college players, are leading candidates, but the Twins may lean towards a college hitter who fits their model.

Jonathan Mayo: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi

Mayo agrees that the Twins will consider the best-ranked player if Jenkins is taken. He believes the Twins might opt for a college hitter who aligns well with their scouting model.

A’s

Jim Callis: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee

Callis predicts that Dollander is emerging as the favorite choice for the A’s in the sixth spot, despite concerns over his inconsistent season. The A’s are also considering other college hitters and pitchers available.

Jonathan Mayo: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon

Mayo predicts that Wilson’s contact skills and defensive abilities at shortstop make him an appealing choice for the A’s. He also mentions other college players, such as Matt Shaw and Tommy Troy, as potential options.

Reds

Jim Callis: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest

Callis suggests that if Jenkins or Clark falls to the Reds, they will be delighted. However, if not, they will choose between Lowder and Kyle Teel, a Virginia catcher.

Jonathan Mayo: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS, Southport, N.C.

Mayo believes that if Jenkins is available at this point, the Reds will eagerly add his bat to their system. If Jenkins is taken earlier, they may consider Teel or Lowder, along with other potential candidates.

Royals

Jim Callis: Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian

Callis predicts that Taylor, a college third baseman, is the Royals’ preferred choice after the two SEC outfielders. However, he mentions high school catcher Blake Mitchell as a player frequently associated with the Royals.

Jonathan Mayo: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton (Texas) HS

Mayo agrees that Mitchell is an attractive option for the Royals in this scenario, offering cost-saving potential for the team’s later picks. He suggests that the Royals may be less inclined to select a high school pitcher this year.

Rockies

Jim Callis: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.

Callis suggests that the Rockies would like to select a pitcher, but it’s unlikely that the remaining options, Lowder or Dollander, will be available. He notes that the Rockies may consider other strategies, such as pushing a college pitcher up or selecting an outfielder such as Enrique Bradfield Jr. or Chase Davis.

Jonathan Mayo: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest

Mayo predicts that the Rockies will choose Lowder if he’s still on the board. If he goes earlier, they may consider Dollander or Meyer, or potentially explore the remaining college hitters or high school outfielders.

Marlins

Jim Callis: Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.

Callis suggests that the Marlins could underpay one of the high school shortstops available in the draft, either at 10th or 35th pick. However, he notes that the Marlins may be tempted by other options such as Meyer, Lowder, or some of the college hitters.

Jonathan Mayo: Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian

Mayo predicts that the Marlins would be pleased to have Taylor land as their pick in this scenario. He also mentions other college hitters and high school shortstops as potential options for the Marlins.

Angels

Jim Callis: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia

Callis suggests that Teel, a catcher from Virginia, is a top contender for the Angels. They prioritize collegiate players who can rise quickly, similar to their 2022 first-rounder, Zach Neto.

Jonathan Mayo: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia

Mayo agrees that Teel is a potential pick for the Angels, given their preference for players who can make a swift impact in the big leagues.

Diamondbacks

Jim Callis: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida

Callis initially tied Hurston Waldrep to the D-backs, but he suggests that they may be more inclined towards college players. If Waldrep is not available, Callis mentions other college shortstops such as Matt Shaw, Tommy Troy, or Jacob Wilson as attractive options.

Jonathan Mayo: Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.

Mayo believes that the D-backs will stick with their initial preference for Houck, a high school shortstop. He also suggests that they could consider other high school hitters if Houck is chosen earlier.

Cubs

Jim Callis: Nolan Schanuel, 1B/OF, Florida Atlantic

Callis initially projected Arjun Nimmala to the Cubs in previous mocks, but he believes they will focus on college bats. He mentions Taylor, Schanuel, Shaw, Troy, Gonzalez, and Wilson as potential candidates.

Jonathan Mayo: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Fla.

Mayo suggests that the Cubs may lean towards high school hitters, and Nimmala could be their preferred option. He also mentions college hitters such as Shaw and Troy as potential choices for the Cubs.

Red Sox

Jim Callis: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Glenn HS, New Concord, Ohio

Callis suggests that Emerson may be a suitable choice for the Red Sox, given their recent trend of selecting prep infielders. He also mentions Blake Mitchell as a potentially appealing option.

Jonathan Mayo: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland

Mayo predicts that Shaw, a college shortstop from Maryland, may be the Red Sox’s selection in this scenario. He also mentions other college hitters and high school shortstops as potential options.

White Sox

Jim Callis: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi

Callis believes that Gonzalez, a seasoned player in the SEC, deserves a spot in the first round, and he suggests that the White Sox may be his destination. He also notes the White Sox’s potential interest in Floyd or a group of position players, including Davis, Morales, and Martin.

Jonathan Mayo: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami

Mayo predicts that Morales, a third baseman from Miami, may be the White Sox’s pick in this scenario. He suggests that Morales has been gaining attention in the back half of the first round and is a prime candidate to go to the White Sox.

Giants

Jim Callis: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford

Callis notes that college bats appear to be the favored demographic for teams in this range, and Troy is a potential choice for the Giants. He mentions a deep pool of college hitters, including Troy, Shaw, Wilson, Bradfield, Morales, Davis, and Wake Forest’s Brock Wilken.

Jonathan Mayo: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee

Mayo suggests that the Giants may be thrilled if Dollander, a college pitcher, is still available. If Dollander is taken, they could consider other high school arms like Meyer or White, or explore the remaining college hitters.

Orioles

Jim Callis: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS, Dover, Fla.

Callis predicts that the Orioles, the most likely team to select a high school hitter in the 16-21 range, will have several talented players to choose from. Nimmala, Miller, Mitchell, and Eldridge are mentioned as potential options.

Jonathan Mayo: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford

Mayo suggests that Troy might be the Orioles’ pick if available. He also mentions high school hitters like Miller, Eldridge, and other potential choices.

Brewers

Jim Callis: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt

Callis predicts that the Brewers will continue their tradition of selecting a first-round college bat. He mentions Bradfield as a potential candidate who might not get past Milwaukee.

Jonathan Mayo: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida

Mayo suggests that the Brewers might break their streak of college hitters and opt for Waldrep, the last college pitcher who is expected to go in the opening round. He also mentions potential college bat options such as Davis.

Rays

Jim Callis: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland

Callis predicts that the Rays will look to select college hitters or potentially a high school hitter who slides further than expected. Shaw and Morales are mentioned as potential candidates, along with Eldridge, Miller, and Mitchell.

Jonathan Mayo: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison HS, Vienna, Va.

Mayo suggests that the Rays have shown interest in Eldridge, a two-way player. He speculates that the Rays might lean toward high school hitters such as Miller or Eldridge if they decide to continue their recent trend of selecting college hitters.

Blue Jays

Jim Callis: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami

Callis suggests that Morales and Davis are the Blue Jays’ top priorities among the available college hitters. He also states that the Blue Jays could consider high school pitchers or select Charlee Soto, a high school right-hander.

Jonathan Mayo: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS, Portland, Ore.

Mayo predicts that the Blue Jays might be interested in Meyer, a highly-touted high school pitcher. If they prefer a safer choice, Schanuel, a college hitter, remains an option.

Cardinals

Jim Callis: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon

Callis suggests that Wilson, known for his outstanding bat-to-ball skills, could be selected by the Cardinals. He mentions other candidates such as Joe Whitman, the best college left-hander, as possibilities.

Jonathan Mayo: Nolan Schanuel, 1B/OF, Florida Atlantic

Mayo predicts that Schanuel might be the Cardinals’ choice, given their inclination towards college bats. He also mentions other college hitters available.

Mariners (Pick acquired for Julio Rodríguez winning Rookie of the Year)

Jim Callis: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.

Callis predicts that the Mariners, with their additional bonus choice, may select White if he is still available.

Jonathan Mayo: Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS, New Port Richey, Fla.

Mayo suggests that the Mariners might consider Miller as their pick.

Competitive Balance Round A – Mariners

Jim Callis: Ralphy Velazquez, C/1B, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

Callis suggests that the Mariners could select Velazquez with their competitive balance pick.

Jonathan Mayo: George Lombard Jr., SS/3B, Gulliver Prep, Pinecrest, Fla.

Mayo predicts that Lombard might be the Mariners’ pick in this round.

Conclusion

The MLB Pipeline’s final mock draft predictions provide insight into the potential selection order and the factors influencing teams’ decisions. As the draft nears, teams weigh the talent, cost, and strategic considerations involved in making their choices. The unpredictable nature of the draft ensures that surprises are likely to occur, making the actual event all the more exciting for fans and experts alike.