After months of speculation and draft profiles, MLB Draft Day is here. The draft kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. EDT on MLB Network with the first two rounds from Los Angeles. With that in mind, I am bringing you my second and final mock draft of the year. There are still a lot of unknowns with this year’s draft and even the first overall pick is not set in stone. The top of the class has a lot of high upside talent in the prep and college ranks. As always, it will be difficult to figure out which teams will go underslot or overslot in the first round. Without further ado, let’s get into this two-round mock draft.
1. Baltimore Orioles – Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS (GA)
The Orioles have been rebuilding for a while but are nearing the end with the talent coming up through their farm system. To even further their farm system development, Baltimore needs to add as much top-level talent as possible. For the fourth year in a row, they are picking in the top five of the draft including at first overall for the second time. Baltimore doesn’t have too many top outield prospects in their system, and they would be smart to take the best and most projectable player in the draft in Jones. The Georgia high school product projects as being potentially better than his father, with a combination of speed, athleticism, and bat-to-ball skills, as well as being a premium defender in center field.
For more on Jones, check out our draft profile on him.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks – Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater HS (OK)
The Diamondbacks will have their pick at one of the top prep prospects in Holliday, Jones, and Johnson. Holliday is the son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday and has the same type of power ceiling as his father. Jones is likely a lock here if the Orioles don’t take him.
For more on Holliday, check out our draft profile on him.
3. Texas Rangers – Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly
A potential pick for the Orioles at number one, Lee has potentially the most advanced bat in the entire draft. The switch-hitter has raked everywhere he has gone and will continue to do so when he begins his professional career. The Rangers need to rebuild everywhere on the diamond and Lee is the best available.
For more on Lee, check out our draft profile on him.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates – Termarr Johnson, SS/2B, Mays HS (GA)
The Pirates have selected a college bat the last three drafts and will now look to pile up as much high-upside prep talent as possible. Johnson has perhaps the best pure hit tool in not just this draft class, but in several years. He has lightning-quick bat speed and a compact swing to hit to all fields. Pittsburgh needs to go for the best player available with the best upside, and that’s Johnson. He profiles as a second baseman in the long-term and has some raw power in his game as well.
For more on Johnson, check out our draft profile on him.
5. Washington Nationals – Jacob Berry, 3B/OF, LSU
Berry doesn’t have much going defensively as he is a bat-first prospect. But the bat is very advanced and he handles both sides of the plate well as a switch-hitter. If the Nationals do in fact trade Juan Soto at the trade deadline, there will be a huge hole in their lineup. Berry could move quickly through the system with the bat alone and help to move along the rebuild. With the way things are going, it looks like Washington will wind up with the first overall pick in the 2023 Draft.
For more on Berry, check out our draft profile on him.
6. Miami Marlins – Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (FL)
Green is in play for the top three picks and would be a big get for the Marlins at six. He has the power tool and similar speed to Jones. The IMG product would help to improve Miami’s outfield pool in their system.
For more on Green, check out our draft profile on him.
7. Chicago Cubs – Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola JC
The Cubs have their pick of a few top college bats in Collier, Gavin Cross, and Kevin Parada. They go with the junior college product in Collier, who has a very advanced bat at just 17 years old. On top of that, he has strong potential to be a solid defender at the hot corner. He would help to fill the hole that was left by Kris Bryant when he was traded last trade deadline.
For more on Collier, check out our draft profile on him.
8. Minnesota Twins – Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech
Cross is all but certain to become the first Hokie hitter to go in the first round since 1982 when Franklin Stubbs was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has some swing-and-miss in his game but is a strong power hitter and has the defensive skills to stick at a corner spot. The Twins don’t have much outfield depth in their system and Cross could move quickly through the ranks with his above-average hit and power tools.
For more on Cross, check out our draft profile on him.
9. Kansas City Royals – Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East (IL)
The Royals have gone on a run of drafting top-level pitching, as they have taken five pitchers in the first round over the last four years. That includes four college arms, Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, and Asa Lacy, and prep arm Frank Mozzicato last year. In between the first three, who they took in 2018, and Lacy, Kansas City took Bobby Witt Jr. in 2019. Now there are other options here, but with their depth, they could go underslot for a high potential arm in Schultz. The left-hander has a disgusting slider and an advanced feel for pitching at his age, including top spin rates.
For more on Schultz, check out our draft profile on him.
10. Colorado Rockies – Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech
There is concern that Parada won’t stick at catcher in the pros, but the bat is definitely there. He has worked on his receiving skills and could develop into a strong backstop in the majors. The Rockies don’t have much in their system as far as catching goes and would welcome the bat that Parada provides.
For more on Parada, check out our draft profile on him.
11. New York Mets – Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman (NV)
The Mets begin to build their outfield depth with the pick they got for not signing Kumar Rocker last year. Crawford is the son of former All-Star Carl Crawford and has similar tools to his father. Justin has blazing speed and a solid hit tool while emerging as one of the most dynamic prep prospects in this draft.
For more on Crawford, check out our draft profile on him.
12. Detroit Tigers – Brock Porter, RHP, St. Mary’s Prep (MI)
The Tigers have some quality arms in their system, including Jackson Jobe who they selected third overall last year. Porter is top talent from their own backyard, so why not take the hometown hero. Porter has a similar profile to Jobe and he has a flaming fastball that sits 94-97 mph and tops out at 100 mph. He also has a strong changeup and has made progress with his slider for a solid array of stuff.
For more on Porter, check out our draft profile on him.
13. Los Angeles Angels – Cade Horton, RHP, Oklahoma
After taking pitchers with every pick last draft, the Angels are almost locked to the same thing this year. They have two otherworldly players in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani yet are still going to miss the postseason yet again. The struggles start with the pitching staff and they have to continue to build it up. Horton really elevated his stock this season after being a big piece to the Oklahoma squad that went to the College World Series final. He can pitch in a number of roles moving forward to the pros.
For more on Horton, check out our draft profile on him.
14. New York Mets – Robby Snelling, LHP, McQueen (NV)
The two-sport star chose to stick with baseball, and this is his ceiling as far as where he is drafted. The Mets need to add to their pitching depth as frequently they come down with injuries. Snelling is a physical southpaw with a strong pitch arsenal led by a big breaking curveball.
15. San Diego Padres – Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech
Jace won’t get the satisfaction of being drafted earlier than his brother Josh, who was drafted eighth overall by the Rangers in the 2019 draft. Jace doesn’t have quite the defensive ability of his older brother but has a stronger hit tool, with the ability to hit for average and power.
16. Cleveland Guardians – Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison University
With average to above tools across the board, DeLauter is one of the best outfield prospects in the draft. It will be interesting to see how he develops and handles top pitching at the next level. The Guardians haven’t developed too many outfielders, as most of their current ones were acquired in trades. DeLauter has a high ceiling and is on his way out of Cleveland before he even gets drafted there. We all now how frequently they let go of their talent. Although, they did hold onto Jose Ramirez.
17. Philadelphia Phillies – Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford (GA)
Lesko was all but certain to be the first pitcher off the board before undergoing TJS in April. When he was on the mound, the right-hander showed a lot of good things. The Phillies take him to steer him away from his commitment to Vanderbilt. If the recovery from TJS goes well, he could potentially be the steal of the draft.
18. Cincinnati Reds – Zach Neto, SS, Campbell
The Reds tore it all down in the offseason and have been the worst team in the majors this season by a large margin. They can go in any direction with their picks in the draft. There are a number of infield prospects available here, but they decide to go with the versatile infielder from Campbell. Neto has strong tools at the plate including exceptional pitch recognition.
19. Oakland Athletics – Jett Williams, SS, Rockwall-Heath (TX)
The Athletics lost Marcus Semien after the 2020 season and will look to develop their future shortstop. They did draft Max Muncy last year, but obviously, depth never hurts especially in this league. Williams has a solid skill set and has gotten stronger since coming back from shoulder injuries he dealt with over the last two years. He has the ability to play both shortstop and the outfield with an athletic build. The Mississippi State commit has the ability to hit the ball hard consistently to all fields and has good arm strength. The further he develops, he will grow into more power as his hit tool comes naturally.
For more on Williams, check out our draft profile on him.
20. Atlanta Braves – Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, Oregon State
After a very consistent season, Hjerpe locked himself in as one of the top left-handers in the draft. He was very deceptive and uses a lot of finesse to get batters out. The Braves have drafted college arms in back-to-back years and go back to that well with the Oregon State product.
For more on Hjerpe, check out our draft profile on him.
21. Seattle Mariners – Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama
Another top southpaw in this class, Prielipp returned from Tommy John surgery to pitch in the MLB Draft Combine. At the showcase, he impressed with high spin rates and some tremendous sliders. The Mariners have some top-level pitching in their system and could strengthen it further with the stuff Prielipp brings.
For more on Prielipp, check out our draft profile on him.
22. St. Louis Cardinals – Dylan Beavers, OF, California
Beavers has shown off his power tool this season, smashing 15 homers and putting up a 1.082 OPS so far. He has sported an advanced approach, with a .429 on-base percentage while raising his walk rate. The Cardinals build around their power hitters and Beavers is certainly one that can do the same.
For more on Beavers, check out our draft profile on him.
23. Toronto Blue Jays – Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee
Even while having a scary lineup, the Blue Jays are lacking in the outfield department. Gilbert has a lot of raw pop and can regularly barrel balls from the left side of the plate. He also has quickness and instincts to be a threat on the bases and play good defense in center field.
For more on Gilbert, check out our draft profile on him.
24. Boston Red Sox – Jacob Melton, OF, Oregon State
The dream for the Red Sox is for Williams to fall to them. But with him gone, they go to the college ranks to take the advanced bat in Melton. He tapped into some of his power potential this year and also has speed. The former Beaver can play right field, center, and some first base, which would give Boston some options.
For more on Melton, check out our draft profile on him.
25. New York Yankees – Spencer Jones, OF, Vanderbilt
The Yankees have drafted a college bat in the first round for two straight years after taking top prospect Anthony Volpe out of high school with their regular first-round pick in 2019. The last time they drafted an outfielder in the first round was Blake Rutherford in 2016 and before that, it was Aaron Judge in 2013. Recently, they have gone the international route for outfielders – signing Everson Pereira in the 2017-18 signing period and Jasson Dominguez in the 2019-20 signing period. This year, there are a ton of solid outfielder names that could be available at this pick. Spencer Jones is one of them, who is essentially a Judge clone at 6-foot-7.
For more on Jones, check out our draft profile on him.
26. Chicago White Sox – Tucker Toman, 3B, Hammond (SC)
Another switch-hitter, Toman is better from the left side but can also hit well right-handed. He can hit well to all fields when he is at the top of his game. The White Sox still have Yoan Moncada at the hot corner, but Toman may ultimately move to the outfield in the pros.
For more on Toman, check out our draft profile on him.
27. Milwaukee Brewers – Peyton Graham, SS, Oklahoma
Graham is an intriguing prospect as he has a solid combination of speed, athleticism, and power. He may not stick at shortstop but is still capable there and might shift back to third base, where he was for his first two college seasons. His raw power showed up in 2022, and in his profile, I even compared him to current Brewer Christian Yelich.
For more on Graham, check out our draft profile on him.
28. Houston Astros – Sterlin Thompson, OF, Florida
For more on Thompson, check out our draft profile on him.
29. Tampa Bay Rays – Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy (FL)
For more on Ferris, check out our draft profile on him.
30. San Francisco Giants – Cayden Wallace, 3B, Arkansas
For more on Wallace, check out our draft profile on him.
31. Colorado Rockies – Cole Young, SS, North Alleghany (PA)
For more on Young, check out our draft profile on him.
32. Cincinnati Reds – Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage (FL)
For more on Barriera, check out our draft profile on him.
33. Baltimore Orioles – Kumar Rocker, RHP, Tri-City ValleyCats
After last year’s fiasco, Rocker joined the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Frontier League. He impressed in his outings, holding a 1.80 ERA in four starts with a 25/3 K/BB rate in 15 innings. The Orioles have fast-forwarded their rebuild and could benefit from taking a power pitcher like Rocker, who has the experience pitching on the big stage at Vanderbilt.
For more on Rocker, check out our draft profile on him.
34. Arizona Diamondbacks – Daniel Susac, C, Arizona
If Susac falls this far, the Diamondbacks would have to pounce as he is potential top 15 talent. He is arguably the second-best catcher behind Parada and easily the best defensive catcher. He has the strongest arm with a plus-plus grade as some evaluators gave him an 80 grade. Susac also has legitimate power potential. Arizona would be snagging a player right from their backyard for their catcher of the future.
For more on Susac, check out our draft profile on him.
35. Atlanta Braves (via Kansas City) – Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma State
36. Pittsburgh Pirates – Blade Tidwell, RHP, Tennesse
37. Cleveland Guardians – Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga
38. Colorado Rockies – Jacob Miller, RHP, Liberty Union (OH)
39. San Diego Padres – Logan Tanner, C, Mississippi State
40. Los Angeles Dodgers – Owen Murphy, RHP, Riverside-Brookfield (IL)
41. Boston Red Sox – Andrew Dutkanych, RHP, Brebeuf Jesuit (IN)
42. Baltimore Orioles – Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi State
43. Arizona Diamondbacks – Walter Ford, RHP, Pace (FL)
44. Pittsburgh Pirates – Tristan Smith, LHP, Boiling Springs (SC)
45. Washington Nationals – Dalton Rushing, C, Lousiville
46. Miami Marlins – Malcolm Moore, C, McClatchy (CA)
47. Chicago Cubs – Mikey Romero, SS, Orange Lutheran (CA)
48. Minnesota Twins – JR Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge (WA)
49. Kansas City Royals – Cade Doughty, 2B, LSU
50. Colorado Rockies – Adam Mazur, RHP, Iowa
51. Detroit Tigers – Josh Kasevich, SS, Oregon
52. New York Mets – Jonathan Cannon, RHP, Georgia
53. San Diego Padres – Clark Elliot, OF, Michigan
54. Cleveland Guardians – Jake Bennett, LHP, Oklahoma
55. Cincinnati Reds – Max Wagner, 3B, Clemson
56. Oakland Athletics – Trystan Vrieling, RHP, Gonzaga
57. Atlanta Braves – Gavin Guidry, SS, Barbe (LA)
58. Seattle Mariners – Sal Stewart, 3B, Westminster Christian (FL)
59. St. Louis Cardinals – Parker Messick, LHP, Florida State
60. Toronto Blue Jays – Brycen Mautz, LHP, San Diego
61. New York Yankees – Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida
62. Chicago White Sox – Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Crowder JC
63. Milwaukee Brewers – Sam Horn, RHP, Collins Hill (GA)
64. Houston Astros – Henry Williams, RHP, Duke
65. Tampa Bay Rays – Ryan Cermak, OF, Illinois State
66. San Francisco Giants – Carson Palmquist, LHP, Miami
Stay tuned for more MLB Draft content over the next few days and our live stream on our socials starting tonight a 6:45 p.m. EDT.
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Main Image Credit: From Camden Chat
