2023 MLB DRAFT SEATTLE JULY 9-11
Join BA on draft day! For video, analysis and news, follow @BaseballAmerica on Twitter and Instagram, and go to BaseballAmerica.com
The draft develops in mysterious ways. Today's amateur afterthought develops into an MLB star. Tomorrow's prospect bust is right now the big man on campus.
That's the nature of an endeavor in which scouts are tasked with projecting the future ability and physicality of teenagers and collegians hitting with metal bats against uneven competition. Uncertainty comes with the territory in an industry in which nobody can consistently keep pitchers healthy and effective. And even if they can manage that in high school or college, the landscape changes in pro ball.
In the minor leagues, starters work every five days-not once a week-and relievers will be called on with greater frequency over a schedule that is more than twice as long.
At Baseball America, we embrace the chaos of the draft and everything that comes with it. So come along with us on a survey of the top amateur talent available in this year's draft.
We don't have all the answers, but we ask the right questions of scouts and industry sources. Now, we bring that insight to you.
To kicks things off, BA draft writer Carlos Collazo highlights five key things to know heading into the 2023 draft.
1 EYES ON THE TIGERS
In the 58-year history of the draft, there has never been a pair of teammates selected with the first two picks. That could change in 2023 with Louisiana State's Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes sitting atop the Baseball America draft ranking at Nos. 1 and 2.
It's been close in the past.
In 1978, Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner was selected No. 1 overall by the Braves, while his Sun Devils teammate Hubie Brooks, a shortstop, went No. 3 overall to the Mets.
Denne historien er fra June - July 2023-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June - July 2023-utgaven av Baseball America.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
