Dynasty League Future Diamond Gems

Some rare prospects can pan out quickly, while most others take years to come to fruition. But you’re in a dynasty league, so where are you goin’? One of my main objectives is snipping off young talent before they become a thing. Whether this looks like grabbing these young gentlemen in a rookie draft or adding them via the waiver wire at the tail end of a lost season, the result is gaining young talent for pennies on the dollar. Taking a leap of faith now can pay off handsomely later when your team is LOADED with 22 to 28-year-olds who rake/dish. Allow me to give you an example of long-term planning for dynasty leagues from my vault.

Nolan Arenado was a hot-shot stud prospect everyone coveted from the years 2010-2014, depending on your league. However, by the grace of God, I was able to catch wind of him when this article surfaced (the original was more in-depth). This blurb piqued my interest, obviously: “Arenado led the Division II champions in nearly every offensive category, including hitting (.456), RBI (32) and runs scored (33). Struck out only six times in 120 plate appearances.” Fresh out of El Toro High School in Lake Forest and playing shortstop at the time, the then 18-year-old went on to bat .517 – .615 on-base percentage (OBP) – and hit five home runs (HR), 14 doubles and a triple his senior year. Side note – Arenado played with other El Toro alum and fellow future major leaguers Austin Romine and Matt Chapman.

Arenado was slated to attend Arizona State University (ASU) on a college baseball scholarship, but the Colorado Rockies saw what I did and selected him in the second round with the 59^th overall selection of the 2009 MLB Draft. As soon as he became available in the player pool, I snipped him. The rest, as they say, is history.

In this portion of our Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, we will highlight and scout the top minor-league, college and high-school prospects ahead of draft season and project outward. A piece for dynasty leagues, we list the top prospective prospects according to MLB Pipeline and where they rank on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. This is useful for those looking to build depth for their dynasty teams with youngsters, even those who we may not see till 2024 and beyond! Whether it is catching lightning in a bottle or part of a long-term plan, keep an eye on or grab these guys for dynasty. 

If you’re looking for more research on players who may be further up the food chain and looking to make an immediate impact, we have you covered!

The Top 50 Rookies for 2023
2023 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Hitters
2023 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Pitchers
The History of MLB Rookie Production
Last Year’s Diamond Gems

Top Prospects for Your Dynasty League

Below you will find MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 Prospects for 2023 (of the Top 100 released 1/26/23; others are documented in attached spreadsheet at end of article) along with their profile and how they project for the pros. Then we’ll dive deeper and break down the Top 10 College/High School players who are first-round locks for the 2023 MLB Draft.

MLB Pipeline’s Top-10 Prospects

Gunnar Henderson – 3B, Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore is blessed with three prospects in the Top 12 (Grayson Rodriguez, Jackson Holliday). If you throw in Adley Rutschman, who landed at No. 2 last year, you can see why we chose the young O’s for our Draft Guide cover! The future is bright in Baltimore, and Gunnar could easily be AL Rookie of the Year.

Henderson lept a whopping 63 spots to top the list. Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz was the only prospect who rose more. The top third-base prospect dominated at Double- and Triple-A before debuting in the big leagues last season at age 21. In 132 PA, Henderson illustrated his young promise and held his own. Despite a .259 batting average, he had .343 wOBA with a 12.1% walk rate and 0.47 BB/K. This was particularly impressive since he struggled with his approach when he first was promoted to Double-A in 2021. He shows an ability to make the proper adjustment when necessary. His ISO wasn’t too shabby either at .181. His impressive bat speed creates hard contact with extra-base power when he’s not chasing out of the zone. Plus, his solid speed has provided 40 stolen bases in the minors.

Corbin Carroll – OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

While Henderson is an early favorite to win AL RoY, Carroll is equally a favorite in the NL. He is smack dab in the middle of the conversation for fastest player in the majors. Furthermore, he has 20-plus homer upside (four homers in his first 32 games in the Majors)! The top OF prospect in the game blends his hitting ability with a fine baseball IQ. For Arizona as an August call-up, the 22-year-old 2019 Draft pick posted the highest average sprint speed (30.7 ft/sec) and the second-best home-to-first time (4.05 seconds from the left side) for the season. He can hit for average, but the power, if it manifests, could make him a star! 

Carroll hit .307/.425/.610 with 24 homers and 31 steals between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno (two hitter havens) last year before the call-up. His success is primarily due to his work ethic and stance in the batter’s box. He stands upright while peering back at the pitcher. Then, the lefty curls and drops down, making his swing appear “springloaded.” He generates such great torque and bat speed (see below). Just imagine him, Alek Thomas and Druw Jones in the same outfield! #Sick

Francisco Álvarez – C, New York Mets

Álvarez was on our list last year heading into the 2022 season. And during the mid-season rankings, he had moved up to the No. 1 spot in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. I wrote how his stock was skyrocketing, and boy did it ever (go back to last year’s article – link above – and check out my thoughts along with 2021 info)! Álvarez uses his massive strength and elite bat speed from a whip-like swing to tap into his massive raw power. His exit velocities (EV) and homers can be eye-popping. His max EV during his late-season call-up was 108.9mph, and he averaged 90mph during his minor league career. He also had a 36.3% hard-hit rate across Double- and Triple-A. As a result, Álvarez hit 27 home runs and slashed .260/.374/.511 in 112 minor-league games during his age-20 season (58 HR, .526 SLG% in 253 career games). 

Being a catcher, Álvarez knows the zone well and utilizes that skill when hitting. In 2002, he built upon his already impressive walk rate (14.1%, 13.8% in 2021). His strikeout rate elevated to 24.8% from 22.3%, but he’s always been a free-swinger. Yeah baby, yeah! His next step is refining his approach to become an above-average hitter. His below-average defensive skills are a result of athletic limitations, so he may begin the year in Triple-A to continue his development defensively. New York signed veteran catcher Omar Narváez to replace an ineffective James McCann while also signing Tomas Nido to a two-year deal. This gives the Mets time to develop Álvarez while also placing two solid defensive catchers around him in Spring Training so he can be a sponge. But if Álvarez crushes the ball this spring, he may leave the Mets no choice.

His 439-foot home run last October made him the youngest catcher to homer in the Majors since Iván Rodríguez in 1992.

Jordan Walker – OF/3B, Springfield Cardinals (AA)

Entering his age-21 season, this extraordinary Cardinals’ prospect took a healthy jump in MLB Pipeline’s rankings into the Top 10 (from No. 30 to No. 4). The 6′ 5″ masher tore up Double-A last season and has 30+ homer upside on the major-league level. He slashed .306/.388/.510 with 19 HR and 22 SB in 536 PA for Springfield, good for a 128 wRC+. Furthermore, Walker is a great example of the importance of following high-school talent (as we will below). A once-Duke recruit, the Cardinals lured him away by selecting him 21^st overall in the 2020 Draft and extending a $2.9 million bonus. Money talks, Walker walked, and now he could make his MLB debut in 2023. Nolan Arenado choosing to decline his opt-out clause and remaining in St. Louie blocks his path at third base, but he’s been gaining reps in the outfield. 

Walker likes to swing the bat and swing often. He barrels up the baseball and makes loud contact. He moves his hands quickly through the zone with a simple swing, although he can get a bit long, which creates chasing tendencies. However, he did have a decent 21.6% K rate for Springfield last season. In the Arizona Fall League, Waler posted the four highest exit velos measured by Statcast.

Anthony Volpe – SS, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)

Volpe is one of three holdovers from last year’s Top 10 (Francisco Álvarez, Grayson Rodriguez), and for good reasons. After being named MLB Pipeline’s Hitting Prospect of the Year in 2021, Volpe posted the Minor’s first 20-50 season since 1995 (Andruw Jones) in 2022. All total, he slashed .249/.342/.460 with 21 homers and 50 stolen bases (57 attempts). Much of his success can be attributed to the work he put in during the pandemic, reworking his swing and adding strength. A fine work ethic and instincts continue to allow him to get the most out of his physical ability. But the one intangible that is hard to teach is pure hitting ability, and Volpe clearly has it (Hit Grade: 60). However, the righty’s new swing and mass create more loft and produce high EV, providing power to all fields (also 60).    

We should see Volpe at some point during the 2023 season, even if he begins the year with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. After all, the Yankees are not exactly solidified at shortstop. However, New York may see second base in his future due to average range and arm strength. He does have the speed along with a quick release to play short. Hey, I remember another shortstop who had a quick release in the Bronx. Now, what was his name? ?

Andrew Painter – RHP, Reading Fightin Phils (AA)

The first pitcher in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 comes as a bit of a surprise. 

Newcomer Andrew Painter was not even on the Top 100 at the start of the 2022 season. After all, he had merely thrown six innings of pro ball in four starts at Rookie level in the Florida Complex League. Drafted out of Calvary Christian Academy in 2021, one would think the high-school pitcher would need more time to develop with such a huge leap. But again, we see the importance of following high-school talent because Painter did not. The 6′ 7″ righty racked up 155 strikeouts across three levels in his first full pro season, winning the 2022 Pipeline Pitcher of the Year award. He advanced from Low-A to High-A and finally Double-A by year’s end. Between the three stops, he had a 6-2 record with a 1.56 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and eight quality starts (22 GS, 103.2 IP). The highlight was a complete-game shutout in High-A. 

Painter’s asset is his combination of size, stuff and command (Control Score: 65; led all Minor Leaguers with at least 100 IP with a 32.4% K/BB rate). His pitching arsenal is loaded with a four-pitch mix and three plus offerings. The fastball grades as a 70 while dialing up to triple digits and averaging 96mph. He throws a four-seam fastball up in the zone and a two-seamer with heavy sinking action thanks to good spin rates. His main secondary pitch is a low-80s slider with nice break (60 score). Add in an upper-70s curve and above-average changeup, and Painter has the makings of a front-line starter, even at 19 years old (turns 20 on 4/10/23)! We could see him in the Majors as soon as this year, considering the Phils have earmarked him as a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. 

Grayson Rodriguez – RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Ray loves Grayson Rodriguez more than fresh fruit from his local Farmer’s Market and an ice-cold Mai Tai, and so do I! Besides being one of three Baltimore prospects in the Top 12, he is one of a league-leading eight O’s in the Top 100! The 6′ 5″, 220 lb right-hander dominates hitters at every level due to three plus pitches and a feel for when to deliver them. Plus command across the board fills up the strike zone. If not for a Grade 2 right lat strain last June, he would have had a chance to join the big club and graduate off MLB Pipeline’s prospect list. Before his trip to the injured list, in 14 Triple-A starts, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.20 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 12.53 K/9, 2.71 BB/9 and a .177 BAA in 69.2 IP. 

Rodriguez is on his way to being a homegrown ace with an outstanding four-pitch mix that includes arguably the best changeup in the Minors (Grade 70). It’s a filthy mid-80s pitch with great fade and depth deception while working well off of his 95-99mph fastball. Unlike other arms, Rodriguez will throw his change-of-pace against lefties and righties. He had a 45% swing-and-miss rate with it in 2022. His heater has late life and jumps in on hitters due to a high spin rate, which can generate triple-digit speed at maximum. He also misses bats with his plus slider and an occasional low-80s curveball. Barring the unforeseen, Grayson will be a part of Baltimore’s rotation come Opening Day.

Jackson Chourio – OF, Biloxi Shuckers (AA)

Like Painter, the Brewers’ Jackson Chourio also was not on the Top 100 at the start of the 2022 season. The 2021 international signee – only 18 years old – is the third-youngest on MLB Pipeline’s list. After standing out in the Dominican Summer League, he zoomed to Double-A and has the elite power and speed to be Milwaukee’s next star. In 2022, Chourio hit .288/.342/.538 with 20 homers and 16 steals in 99 games across three levels. He makes loud, hard contact and sprays the ball to all fields. However, his greatest tool is his plus-plus run score. It was a big reason why Milwaukee moved him to center field, where he could cover even more ground than shortstop. Plus he’s already taken advantage of the new rules when swiping bags in the minors.

Most 18-year-olds struggle with plate discipline and zone coverage, and Chourio is no different. Breaking pitches away has given him the most trouble, but he showed signs of an above-average hitter when making adjustments. According to his coaches, his two-strike hitting improved greatly throughout 2022. He has time to continue to build on this impressive base and enter a prospect stratosphere all his own. We should expect to see Chourio in 2024.

Marcelo Mayer – SS, Greenville Drive (A+)

The fourth overall pick in 2021, Mayer has the potential to have a combination of Corey Seager’s bat and Brandon Crawford’s glove. With their highest selection in 54 years, Boston found itself a good one. Mayer slashed .280/.399/.489 with 45 extra-base hits and 17 steals in 2022. Keep in mind, he had a wrist injury which limited his plate appearances early in the season (424 total). A 107 K to 68 BB ratio is decent, but his 25% K rate is not. Mayer’s next step will be to reduce chasing out of the zone, but when swinging at zone pitches, there is fine recognition, decision-making and ability to use the entire field. Mayer has a sweet left-handed stroke which has led to a 60 hit-tool grade. Plus, he’s adding strength to his 6′ 3″ frame, and his hard contact should translate into 25 home runs per season.

The speed tool is not as good as initially thought upon Mayer’s drafting. Although, he does make up for it with “a quick first step and good instincts on the bases and in the field,” according to scouts and coaches. As he continues to fill out his frame, he may slow down and necessitate a move to second or third base. Either way, he’ll be a difference-maker offensively in 2024.

Elly De La Cruz – SS/3B, Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)

Forty-four players retained Top-100 status from 2022. None of them has made a larger jump than the Reds’ 21-year-old infielder, who debuted on the list a year ago at No. 76 (while playing at the Arizona Complex League!) and has moved 66 spots to No. 10 overall. In 2022, the 6′ 5″ shortstop with electric tools narrowly missed becoming the third Minor Leaguer in 60 years to go 30-50 (28 HR, 47 SB). Cut from the same cloth as Volpe and Oneil Cruz, De La Cruz has a shot to be better. He hit .304/.359/.586 in 513 PA. That’s pretty good. #Analysis The bad? A whopping 158 strikeouts vs. 40 walks (30.8% K rate). Yikes! His patience was better in the Dominican Winter League. 

Yet, there are few prospects more dynamic than De La Cruz, both in terms of his five-tool potential and the joy and passion he brings to his game, according to his coaches and teammates. The switch-hitter’s plus bat speed has been amplified as he’s added strength, and he has legitimate plus power, especially from the left side of the plate. With his skyrocketing trajectory, De La Cruz could find himself with the big club this season, filling in a roster hole at shortstop, and will have a chance to be a true five-tool All-Star. His ceiling is limitless.

OTHER NOTABLES: Jordan Lawlar, SS, Amarillo Sod Poodles (AA) – Jackson Holliday, SS, Delmarva Shorebirds (A) Matt Holliday’s son – Eury Pérez, RHP, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) – Diego Cartaya, C, Los Angeles Dodgers – Druw Jones, OF, ACL D-backs Black (ROK) Andruw Jones’ son – Daniel Espino, RHP, Akron RubberDucks (AA) Highest Rated Fastball & Slider – James Wood, OF, Fredericksburg Nationals (A) – Kyle Harrison, LHP, Richmond Flying Squirrels (AA) – Brett Baty, 3B, New York Mets – Taj Bradley, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays – Marco Luciano, SS, San Francisco Giants – Triston Casas, 1B, Boston Red Sox – Termarr Johnson, 2B, Bradenton Marauders (A) – Bobby Miller, RHP, Oklahoma City Dodgers (AAA) – Hunter Brown, RHP, Houston Astros Highest Rated Curveball – Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, South Bend Cubs (A+) – Brooks Lee, SS, Wichita Wind Surge (AA) – Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Rangers – Kevin Parada, C, St. Lucie Mets (A) – Cade Cavalli, RHP, Washington Nationals – Sal Frelick, OF, Nashville Sounds (AAA) Best Prospect Hitter 

FURTHEST FALLS: 

• Nick Gonzales, 2B, Altoona Curve (AA) – No. 20 in 2022; off the 2023 Top 100
• Kahlil Watson, SS, Jupiter Hammerheads (A) – No. 25; off Top 100
• Orelvis Martinez, SS, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA) – No. 38; off Top 100
• Matthew Liberatore, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals – No. 43; off Top 100
• Cole Winn, RHP, Round Rock Express (AAA) – No. 48; off Top 100
• Brady House, SS, Fredericksburg Nationals (A) – No. 49; off Top 100
• Brennen Davis, OF, Iowa Cubs (AAA) – No. 15; No. 92 -77
• Jack Leiter, RHP, Frisco RoughRiders (AA) – No. 17; No. 78 -61
• Henry Davis, C, Altoona Curve (AA) – No. 24; No. 57 -33
• Max Meyer, RHP, Miami Marlins – No. 35; No. 67 -32

*Be sure to reference my last two years of ‘Diamond Gems’ for writeups of these players as they were entering the Draft!

2023 MLB Draft Prospects

The top five prospects in MLB Pipeline’s rankings are fairly balanced with three position players (two outfielders) and two right-handed fireballers! After that, we don’t see another arm till number 10. Also, the rankings favor college players more so than in past years, reflecting how strong the crop is of collegiate athletes who will go early in the draft. Their path to impacting our fantasy teams is shorter, so this area requires more attention than the past two drafts!

Dylan Crews – OF, Louisiana State

Crews is the top-rated prospect heading into the 2023 MLB Draft. The Pirates won the inaugural Draft lottery and have the first pick for the second time in three years. They will likely pull the trigger on the 20-year-old sophomore center fielder who can be a plus hitter with plus power. Crews hits the ball hard with a quick right-handed stroke and an aggressive approach. He also has a keen eye for the strike zone, but I’ve seen tendencies to chase changeups in film study. However, he barrels up the baseball and has no issues hitting upper-90s heat. In his 2021 freshman year, he led the SEC with 163 total bases, set a school freshman record with 18 homers, and was selected National Freshman of the Year. For an encore, he belted 22 homers and slashed .349/.463/.691, sharing SEC Player of the Year honors. 

It’s an LSU kind of Draft as we’ll see three spots later in Paul Skenes.

Chase Dollander – RHP, Tennessee

Some consider Dollander the best college pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg and Gerrit Cole. That’s high praise! While Strasburg is struggling to find good health, Washington could select his future replacement with the second overall pick. Inarguably, Dollander is the clear top arm in the 2023 Draft. He brings a commanding arsenal, beginning with a four-seam fastball that averages 95-97mph and maxes out at 99. With a devastating combo of velocity and carry to the pitch, he produced a 35.3% strikeout rate as a sophomore for the Volunteers in 2022. Dollander keeps hitters on their toes with a nasty sweeping slider (avg: mid-80s, max: 91). Throw in an above-average changeup and big upper-70s curveball, and he has frontline starter stuff while demonstrating good command for such a young age (8.3 K/BB ratio, seventh in 2022 NCAA Division I). He was SEC Pitcher of the Year.

Wyatt Langford – OF, Florida

“You see, I’m a cursed Langmore, long inured to violence and death.” Oh wait, I thought the name card said Wyatt Langmore. 

This Wyatt hails from Gainesville, FL, the same locale as his college stomping grounds. Some scouts think Langford will perform his way into 1-1 consideration. After all, he has five-tool potential. However, a likely destination could be Minnesota at pick No. 5, as the Twins have taken a college bat with their first pick in three of the last five Drafts, including taking Brooks Lee No. 8 last year, and require outfield prospects. Langford barely played as a freshman but burst onto the scene in 2022 as a sophomore, earning All-American status by leading the SEC and tying Matt LaPorta’s single-season Gators record with 26 home runs while finishing with a .356/.447/.719 line. A solid performance with Team USA last summer added to his resume as one of the best hitters in the 2023 Draft class. His raw power is plus-plus.

Paul Skenes – RHP, Louisiana State

The LSU recruiting department has been en fuego over nearly the last decade. Skenes joins Dylan Crews as a potential No. 1 overall pick. After two seasons of pitching for Air Force and the U.S. collegiate national team over the summer, Skenes utilized the transfer portal to Baton Rouge in 2022 and was the only NCAA Division I player to reach double figures in wins and home runs. While he’s the best two-way player of this year’s class, he’ll assuredly be drafted for his mound work. During fall practice, Skenes’ fastball sat between 95-99mph and was elusive due to his flat approach angle and carry. However, his slider is a work in progress, as it can get loose at times. At his best, the pitch has sharp break and sits between 85-88. Most impressively, his power changeup (88-91) works well off his fastball with plenty of fade. 

Skenes is an athletic manchild at 6′ 6″, 235 lbs. He has excellent body control to repeat a sound delivery and provide plenty of strikes. Scouts say hitters can see the ball well out of his hand, which are mechanics he will need to work on at the minor-league level. Yet, his power repertoire will be attractive to the Tigers at No. 3 or Rangers at No. 4. Would Texas select another big arm early in the Draft after going with Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker the last two years? It’s possible.

Jacob Gonzalez – SS, Mississippi

The best shortstop in the Draft is coming off winning the College World Series, the first-ever Chip for Ole Miss. Gonzalez is a slick fielder who covers ground with the long strides of his 6’2” frame. Scouts say he has superior instincts and rhythm while possessing plus arm strength. Even if he shifts to third or second base during his minor-league career, he profiles well at either position. He has the stick to man either bag or the spaces between with above-average bat-to-ball skills and an understanding of the strike zone. The left-handed hitter has pop as well with 18 homers as a sophomore. He’s a strong kid with good bat speed but may be a bit too pull-happy while falling in love with the long ball. Gonzalez also has the experience of starting for the U.S. Collegiate National Team the last two summers. 

Max Clark – OF, Franklin Community High School (IN)

Clark may go as high as No. 3 by the Tigers if they can sway the Vanderbilt recruit (committed). He is the first high-school player in MLB Pipeline’s rankings due to having the best all-around set of tools in the class. His lone blemish is an average power tool. Yet, he’s a no-doubt center fielder with a hose for an arm and an incredible understanding of how to hit. Clark also possesses something you can’t teach or coach – ice water through the veins. In the 18-and-under World Cup, he hit a clutch home run against Canada and three hits in the gold medal-winning game against Taiwan. The left-hander smokes line drives from gap to gap by making hard contact with plus bat speed. With more of a launch angle, Clark could project for 20-homer power. The scouting grade that stands out the most is his double-plus run tool (70).

Walker Jenkins – OF, South Brunswick High School (NC)

Jenkins and Clark are competing for best high school prospect for the 2023 Draft. Where the prior excels over the latter is Jenkins double-plus raw power. The left-hander has a slugger’s frame at 6’3”, 205 lbs, yet he brings a quick bat. His highlight reel showed him turning well on fastballs and launching them to all fields, making consistent hard contact. However, looks were limited due to a hamate injury during the showcase circuit. Yet, what can be seen is his quality makeup, according to scouts. With a big arm and a penchant for long flies, Jenkins is a future right fielder, possibly for the A’s at No. 6. Although, he has committed to wearing Tar Heel blue… big surprise!

Enrique Bradfield – OF, Vanderbilt

You knew Vandy had to be represented in the Top 10! Bradfield has blazing speed with a scouting run grade of 80. He led NCAA Division I with 47 steals while winning SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2021, then finished second last season with 46 (in 46 attempts!). On top of being a disruptive force on the bases, he’s an elite defender who can run down a majority of fly balls even if the arm is below average. With his plus hit tool, the left-hander’s focus is on making contact to all fields and getting on base. I saw him lay down several quality bunts for base hits, and that’s his game. The power is below average, but he does have some sneaky pop to right field. He hit eight home runs in 2022 with a .317/.415/.498 slash line. 

Bradfield’s game-changing speed on the basepaths and in center field is just what the Marlins need to jump-start the offense. Scouts liken his speed and defense to Kenny Lofton, and if selected at No. 10, he would become Vanderbilt’s eighth Top-10 pick in the last nine Drafts!

Jacob Wilson – SS, Grand Canyon

The son of former big league All-Star Jack Wilson, who coached him in high school and will serve as an assistant coach for Grand Canyon in 2023, was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball in 2021. In his sophomore campaign, Jacob had a 1.004 OPS with 12 home runs for GC and performed well in the Cape Cod league as well as with Team USA. Jack has been grooming his son and surely wants to be by his side this season as he makes one last case for the Draft. 

With no surprise, Jacob has a strong baseball IQ along with plus tools. He is a pure hitter who finds barrels and makes consistent contact. Wilson struck out seven times in 275 plate appearances as a sophomore. Whether he sticks at short or slides to third base, his position freshman year, scouts feel his bat will profile well, making him a prime candidate to go near the top of the first round. Mock drafts have him going a bit later at No. 12 to Arizona, similar to the Tigers nabbing Jace Jung at No. 12 in the 2022 Draft. Regardless, any team would be thrilled to select his super-advanced bat.

Hurston Waldrep – RHP, Florida

Waldrep transferred from Southern Miss, where he pitched out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2021 before joining the weekend rotation (college team’s best three starters) in 2022. He went on to strike out 14 per nine for the Golden Eagles before entering the transfer portal. Florida-area scouts were wowed by his electric stuff this past fall. If he maintains that this spring, he won’t last this long. The right-hander mixes in his three primary pitches – fastball, slider, change – and all three offerings have the potential to be at least above average. The four-seamer this fall was between 95-99mph after averaging close to 95 last year at Southern Miss. Feeding off the fastball is a hard slider in the upper-80s. He produced a 55% miss rate last year on the slider, and while he doesn’t throw his mid-80s changeup as much, it has good sink and dive to it.

KC could select Waldrep at No. 8. After all, they had some success last time they took a Gators starter when they nabbed Brady Singer in the first round of the 2018 Draft. 

2023 MLB Draft Prospect Tables: 20-to-80 Scouting Scale

POSITION PLAYERS

*Italic indicates high-school player

PITCHERS

*Italic indicates high-school player

Download the complete scouting list of the Top 100 Minor Leaguers & Draft Prospects for 2023: