MLB Draft grades 2023: Live results & analysis for every pick in Round 1
One can only guess how the 2023 MLB draft will end.
The late uncertainty has raised questions about who the Pirates will choose with the first overall pick, and the only thing said for now is that the Nationals will put the second overall pick on a player who won a national championship with LSU in June has.
The MLB draft is never as easy as some of the other drafts. Teams won’t always take the best available player because they need to save money for later picks. They also won’t pick for immediate needs, as many of those picks will remain in the minor leagues for several years. They will come to play for a completely different team than they did in 2023 or even 2024.
Because of this, evaluating draft picks on draft day can be a challenging task: for a few years, it’s all just bullshit. But based on past pick stats, player analysis, and overall draft prospects, it’s still possible to rate and decide what to make of each team’s picks in the early stages of the draft.
MORE: Watch the 2023 MLB Draft Live With Fubo in the US (Free Trial)
Sporting News will try to do just that with the Draft Day grades for each first-round pick. Follow below for full results.
MLB DRAFT: SN’s Mock Draft | Top 100 Big Boards
2023 MLB Draft Scores: Live Picks, Round 1 Analysis
round 1
1. Pittsburgh Pirates – Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
There’s no doubt: Paul Skenes is as good as it gets. Compared to Stephen Strasburg, he is considered one of the most touted pitcher candidates of all time. The LSU right-hander could be playing in the bullpen for the Pirates now, and many believe he’ll be on a similar schedule to Strasburg’s as early as 2024 when he retires from Pittsburgh’s rotation. This is a generational talent that could be an ace very soon in the big leagues.
2. Washington Nationals – Dylan Crews, OF, LSU
Bonus call signing likely knocked Dylan Crews back from first to second overall, and the Nationals can benefit from Pittsburgh’s bonus pool strategy. Crews is the most refined collegiate hitter the draft has seen in years, and many believe he has what it takes to be a top- or mid-tier hitter next year. His approach is incredibly progressive (71 walks to 46 strikeouts in 2023) and he has plenty of raw power (18 homers). Crews should be able to stay centered and could be in Washington next year. The Nationals recently had two MVP-caliber outfielders in Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Next up is Crews.
3. Detroit Tigers – Max Clark, OF, Franklin High (Ind.)
This is the first choice, which is a little shocking. Detroit was expected to be headed for Wyatt Langford if Skenes and Crews weren’t on the field. But Max Clark is clearly worth going that high for. Of the top five draft picks, he’s the fastest and easiest to keep in the middle. He has an advanced hitting tool kit for a prep racquet and could develop more power as he grows to his 6-1, 190-pound physique. Drafting high school players always carries some risk, and Langford would have been a much safer choice, but this could lead to a big upside across the board.
4. Texas Rangers – Wyatt Langford, OF, Fla
Rangers may have been shocked to hear 4th-ranked Langford was available. He was a late favorite for No. 1 overall, and most attempts resulted in him failing to finish third ahead of the Tigers. But here he is and Texas is taking the chance to sign him. Langford has possibly the most offensive advantage of any collegiate batsman, with plenty of raw power and the best power/speed combination of any player in the draft. He may not be a long-term midfielder, but if he moves into the corner and can focus on the racquet, he could be a midfielder by the end of 2024.
5. Minnesota Twins – Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick High (NC)
There was some late speculation that Minnesota would go down the college route rather than take on one of the clear top five talents. The Twins put a stop to that and got the best player available. One of the most refined hitters in high school, Jenkins has a lot of raw power. The debate between him and Clark for top high school player came down to whether you wanted the better hitter (Jenkins) or the more versatile player. Jenkins is likely to switch to an outfield spot in the corner but he should be a future midfielder.
6. Oakland Athletics—Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
There was no doubt who the top five players in the 2023 MLB draft were, and if they made the top five there would be plenty of intrigue surrounding No. 6. Jacob Wilson is a somewhat unexpected pick. Wilson has incredibly advanced batting technique (he batted just six times in 2023, with a .411 batting average), but he also doesn’t have much power (six home runs) and is more of an average runner (eight steals). . He’s a safe bet to reach the majors, but the A’s need to push him to play to his strengths if he’s going to be a big talent.
7. Cincinnati Reds – Rhett Lowder, SP, Wake Forest
There’s no more advanced pitcher in the draft than Rhett Lowder. Wake Forest’s advanced pitching lab helped develop him into an ace with exceptional command, best-in-class transition and enough speed to get past big players. The Reds’ rebuild is beginning to bear fruit, and many of their prospects are shining in the majors this year. Lowder can join them in short order and could be the second pitcher in this class to reach the pros after Skenes.
8. Kansas City Royals – Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton High (Tex.)
High school catchers aren’t as risky as prep pitchers, but they’re close. Only five of the 18 first-round high school catchers since 2010 have made the majors, and only two have a positive bWAR. Blake Mitchell might be worth the risk, however, since he has such an advanced racquet for a high school player and has the athleticism — and more than enough arm strength — to stay behind the plate. However, the Royals have developed second-round prep catcher MJ Melendez well, so there’s every reason to think they could be just the system for a high school backstop.
9. Colorado Rockies – Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
This could be a big win for the Rocky Mountains. There is also some risk. Chase Dollander looked like a 1-1 contender after a dominant sophomore year in Tennessee, but his slider and control waned in his junior season. If the Rockies can get him back to where he was, he’s the type of pitcher who can thrive at Coors Field with a high-velocity fastball and a slider that should survive the elevation. The Rockies have struggled with some high upside pitchers in the past, but they also did well with Jon Gray, a very similar pick arsenally and polish-wise.
10. Miami Marlins – Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit High (Ore.)
The Marlins have the best prep pitcher in the draft, and there’s a lot of reason to believe it’s going to work. He’s hitting triple digits with his fastball and has an electric slider that has helped him stand out from the other prep pitchers in his class. His command is advanced for his age and he has a repeatable ability, which helps limit risk. Why a B? Prep pitchers are a very risky group to bet on early in the draft. So, like Mitchell, this is more about the story than the player.
11.Los Angeles Angels
12. Arizona Diamondbacks
13.Chicago Cubs
14.Boston Red Sox
15.Chicago White Sox
16. San Francisco Giants
17. Baltimore Orioles
18.Milwaukee Brewers
19. Tampa Bay Rays
20.Toronto Blue Jays
21st St Louis Cardinals
22.Seattle Mariners
23. Cleveland Guardians
24.Atlanta Braves
25. San Diego Padres
26. New York Yankees
27. Philadelphia Phillies
28. Houston Astros
Incentive selection to encourage potential customers
29.Seattle Mariners
Competitive Record Round A
30.Seattle Mariners
31. Tampa Bay Rays
32. New York Mets
33.Milwaukee Brewers
34. Minnesota Twins
35. Miami Marlins
36.Los Angeles Dodgers
37.Detroit Tigers
38. Cincinnati Reds
39.Oakland Athletics