2023 MLB Mock Draft: Early Predictions for Top 1st-Round Baseball Prospects
As the final day of the 2022 MLB draft winds to a close, it's never too early to start looking ahead to next year's draft class.
There will inevitably be a ton of shuffling on top prospect boards based on how prep players perform on the summer showcase circuit, and then again when the 2023 spring seasons kick off at both the high school and college levels, but this can serve as an early look at some of the names to know for next year.
Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez and LSU outfielder Dylan Crews are the leading candidates to go No. 1 overall as things stand, and there's a wealth of college pitching talent after a thin 2022 class.
Ahead you'll find a full first-round draft based on current 2022 records and a closer look at two of the draft's biggest names.
Full 2023 Mock Draft
Draft order is based on current 2022 MLB standings:
1. Washington Nationals: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss
2. Oakland Athletics: Dylan Crews, OF, LSU
3. Cincinnati Reds: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick High School (NC)
4. Chicago Cubs: Max Clark, OF, Vanderbilt
5. Kansas City Royals: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
6. Detroit Tigers: Dylan Cupp, SS, Cedartown High School (GA)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates: Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt
8. Los Angeles Angels: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (MA)
9. Arizona Diamondbacks: Aidan Miller, 3B/RHP, Mitchell High School (FL)
10. Texas Rangers: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
11. Colorado Rockies: Drew Bowser, 3B, Stanford
12. Miami Marlins: Christian Little, RHP, Vanderbilt
13. Chicago White Sox: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami
14. Baltimore Orioles: Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas
15. Cleveland Guardians: Roch Cholowsky, SS, Hamilton High School (AZ)
16. Boston Red Sox: Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas
17. San Francisco Giants: Carson Montgomery, RHP, Florida State
18. St. Louis Cardinals: Patrick Reilly, RHP, Vanderbilt
19. Philadelphia Phillies: Braden Holcomb, SS, Foundation Academy (FL)
20. Minnesota Twins: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
21. Toronto Blue Jays: TJ Nichols, RHP, Arizona
22. Milwaukee Brewers: Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina
23. Seattle Mariners: Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
24. San Diego Padres: Blake Mitchell, C/RHP, Sinton High School (TX)
25. Tampa Bay Rays: Jackson Baumeister, RHP, Florida State
26. Atlanta Braves: Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner High School (PA)
27. New York Mets: Caden Grice, 1B, Clemson
28. Houston Astros: Travis Sykora, RHP, Round Rock High School (TX)
29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Tre' Morgan, 1B, LSU
30. New York Yankees: Dean West, OF, Notre Dame High School (CA)
Potential No. 1 Pick: SS Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss
A two-sport star in high school who was also a standout quarterback, Jacob Gonzalez went undrafted in the abbreviated 2020 draft and immediately took over as the starting shortstop at Ole Miss as a freshman.
He hit .355/.443/.561 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 55 RBI as a freshman, and he continued to impress this spring with a .273/.405/.558 line that included 18 homers and an improved 16.7 percent walk rate.
With a strong 6'2", 200-pound frame and quick hands, Gonzalez's power production comes from his ability to consistently barrel up the ball and make quality contact.
Aside from his offensive prowess, he also looks a good bet to stick at shortstop where he has the tools to be an above-average defender. Continued production in the SEC while playing a premium position should keep him at the top of draft boards throughout the 2023 season.
Potential No. 1 Pick: OF Dylan Crews, LSU
Dylan Crews opted out of the 2020 draft to honor his commitment to LSU, or he likely would have heard his name called inside the first 60 picks.
He hit .362/.453/.663 with 18 home runs and 12 steals during the 2021 season, and his numbers ticked up across the board this spring with a .349/.463/.691 line that included 11 doubles, 22 home runs, 72 RBI and 73 runs scored in 62 games.
With exciting tools across the board, Crews fits the profile of a player teams target at the top of a draft class. And while there is some swing-and-miss to his game (56 Ks in 2022), there's no reason to think he won't consistently get to his plus raw power.
A strong junior season could vault him to the top of big boards when the 2023 draft rolls around.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.