2023 MLB Draft Grades: Grading Every First Round Pick
Last night was the first round of the MLB Draft. Handicapper Jason Radowitz shares his grades for night one. Read on to find out how your team did.
Jason Radowitz - July 10, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT
5 min2023 MLB Draft Grades: Grading Every First Round Pick
The MLB Draft was loaded with potential MLB All-Stars this season. We might even get to watch some of the older guys compete next year.
Below I've graded every first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. How did your favorite team do?
Round 1
1. Pirates: Paul Skenes, SP, LSU (A+)
There were earlier reports that the Pirates would look at a high school player so they wouldn't have to pay as much for the top slot.
But the Pirates went with Paul Skenes of LSU. He's a generational arm and will be in the majors in no time. This was the right move. Good on the Pirates. Spend the money and build a team.
2. Nationals: Dylan Crews, OF, LSU (A+)
The Nationals got the best hitter in the draft. Dylan Crews reached base in every single game he played this season for LSU. He also helped the Tigers earn a National Championship along with Skenes.
Washington's top draft picks have been top-tier. Look at Stephen Strasberg, Bryce Harper, and Anthony Rendon, to name a few. They rarely miss.
3. Tigers: Max Clark, OF, Franklin Community High (Ind.) (B+)
The Tigers will have to be patient with Clark. He's not going to see the majors as quick as the other two draft picks. But Clark has the ability to be another generational talent. The Tigers will be patient and let him develop.
4. Rangers: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida (A)
The Rangers likely didn't expect Wyatt Langford to land at four. He's an incredible power bat that was projected to be in the top three. The Rangers have one of the best offenses in baseball. Soon Langford will add to that core of talent.
5. Twins: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick High (N.C.) (A)
Jenkins was always projected as the fifth-best player in the draft. Therefore, the Twins went with Jenkins here. He's the second-best high-school hitting prospect and has plenty of potential.
The Twins did exactly what they were supposed to do.
6. Athletics: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon (B-)
7. Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest (A)
Cincinnati welcomed Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, and Andrew Abbott into the big leagues this year. Those four are absolutely crushing it. So the Cincinnati minor league development has been sensational. Lowder landed in a perfect spot to continue his career—great pickup by the Reds.
8: Royals: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton High (Tex.) (C)
The Royals went with Blake Mitchell over Kyle Teel. That was questionable.
9. Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee (B)
10. Marlins: Noble Meyer, SP, Jesuit High (Ore.) (B)
11. Angels: Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic (B)
12. Diamondbacks: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford (B)
13. Cubs: Matt Shaw, 2B, Maryland (B-)
14. Red Sox: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia (A)
15. White Sox: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss (A-)
16. Giants: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, James Maidson HS (VA) (B)
17: Orioles: Enrique Bradfield, OF, Vanderbilt (A)
Enrique Bradfield could've easily been a top-ten pick in the MLB Draft this year.
18. Brewers: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest (B)
19. Rays: Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU (B+)
20. Blue Jays: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (Fla) (B+)
21. Cardinals: Chase Davis, LF, Arizona (B+)
22. Mariners: Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn HS (Ohio) (B)
23. Guardians: Ralphy Velazquez, C, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.) (C+)
24. Braves: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida (B+)
25. Padres: Dillon Head, CF, Homewood-Flossmoor High (Ill.) (B+)
26. Yankees: George Lombard Jr., SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.) (B)
27: Phillies: Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS (Fla.) (B+)
28: Astros: Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska (C)
29: Mariners: Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS (Va.) (B)
30: Mariners: Tai Peete, SS, Trinity Christian HS (Ga.) (C)
31: Rays: Adrian Santana, SS, Doral Academy (Fla.) (C+)
32: Mets: Colin Houck, SS Parkview HS (Ga) (A)
I had Houck in my top 15 players. The Mets took him 32nd. What a pick!
33: Phillies: Josh Knoth, RHP, Patchogue-Medford HS (N.Y.) (B-)
34: Twins: Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian HS (Fla.) (B+)
35: Marlins: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (Mass.) (B+)
36: Dodgers: Kendall George, OF, Atascocita HS (Tex.) (C)
37: Tigers: Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner HS (PA.) (A)
38: Reds: Ty Floyd, RHP LSU (A)
Ty Floyd shined in the College World Series against some of the best teams college baseball had to offer. The Reds knew what they were doing here.
39: Athletics: Myles Naylor, 3B, St. Joan of Arc (Ont) (B+)
MLB Odds
