2023 MLB Draft – Top 50 College Prospects

Brock Wilken, Wake Forest University, March 22, 2022. Photo credit Gary Streiffer, @Catman110 on Twitter and @garystreiffer on Instagram

While it is still rather early, it is never TOO early to start prepping for the MLB Draft. The college crop is shaping up to be very good this year, and the top three would almost certainly be the top three even if combined with the prep class. There will be plenty of movement between now and Draft Day, but here is where things stand now.


1. Dylan Crews, OF, LSU – Crews has elite balance at the plate that allows him to stay on any offering and drive the ball even when fooled. The bat speed is also elite, while the bat is long through the zone meaning he is able to still barrel up the ball even when his timing is a bit off. When he makes proper contact, the ball absolutely flies and he flirts with plus power. He has average to better speed and is a solid defender. While a future in center field may not be his best fit, he can hold it down ok but has plenty of arm to play right.

2. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss – Bat control and zone awareness might be Gonzalez’ best tools as he rarely chases the ball out of the zone. While he has an open stance, his hips and torso stay closed allowing for plenty of bat speed through the zone helping the ball really jump off his bat. He can handle the best fastball, and easily adjust to a big curve, while keeping a bat plane that is best suited for line drives to the gaps. In the field he will be able to stick at short thanks to his smooth and easy action in the field.

3. Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee – With a repeatable 3/4 slot delivery that has led to advanced command in his sophomore season, it is the fastball that really stands out. It sits 94-95 but can touch 99 with plenty of tail to the arm side with a good downhill plane. To go with that he mixes in a two-plane slider with bump in it that can sit 87. While some have called it the best breaking ball in the class, the consistency in it isn’t there for me yet as it can look average at times. He also has a 12-6 curve that is pretty pedestrian currently but shows plenty of potential and he breaks out the occasional change.

4. Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon – The son of former MLB All-Star infielder Jack Wilson, Jacob is a chip off the old block. He has a quick bat with a good line drive swing that sees him shift his weight quite a bit but controlled and with balance. In 2022, Wilson struck out in just 3% of his trips to the plate and followed the season with an excellent showing for the U.S. collegiate national team. Power is well below average currently, but his body has some projectability left in it so that could get closer to average in time while he is also probably an average defender at short, his instincts just might be able to keep him there, while a move to second or third would be a good fit too. Wilson has a very limited ceiling, so it is easy to sleep on him, but the floor is extremely high and he could be one of the quickest moving position players once he signs a pro contract.

5. Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida – The tradition of power hitting Gators outfielders continues with Langford. Nobody in school history has hit as many home runs as Langford did a season ago, and that was after seeing less than a handful of at bats as a freshman. The power plays to all fields and is a genuine plus tool. The defensive profile is a bit of an odd one as he came to campus as a potential catcher and outfielder, but moved to left field for once on campus. He is a good athlete with solid speed, so he could play an infield spot in a pinch as well as center, but the arm is below-average so left is most likely where he will end up.

6. Enrique Bradfield, OF, Vanderbilt – Speed, speed, speed, and speed. Those are the primary tools that make Bradfield so special, but he is more than that. Yes, he was 46-46 in steals last season but he is also a no-brainer center fielder and can hit too. He is a guy who knows his game, so he will work a count and draw the walk when he can, but he has a good swing and even showed a little power in 2022. The two tools he lacks is the power that will always be below average even as he does add more strength, and his arm as it is barely average even for center. But, did I mention that speed?

7. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest – In addition to having the best hair in this year’s college class, Lowder might have the best changeup too. He struggled his freshman year, but really rebounded in 2022 to earn ACC pitcher of the year honors. The fastball sits low-to-mid-90s but has been up to 97. He has a slider that has plus potential to go with that change that will likely be a plus offering as well. On top of the stuff, he has advanced command of all three offerings that saw him strike out more than four batters for every free pass he allowed.

8. Brayden Taylor, 3B/SS, TCU – Taylor is probably better suited for third rather than short long term, so there is a little more emphasis on the bat than a true SS prospect, but that bat will play. His front foot is off the ground a long time, but he doesn’t get caught off balance as much as you might think and has excellent zone recognition. He hit 12 and 13 home runs in his first two seasons respectively and there is at least average power potential, if not more, in his future. The batting average of just .263 in 37 games in the Cape Cod League over the past two seasons does leave some concern, but he hit three home runs in 11 games this past summer, so that power does play with the wood bat.

9. Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas – After undergoing TJ after just two starts in 2022, it is unlikely we see Witt until the second half of 2023, but the stuff is real! He has a fastball that sat 89-92 in his final start before the surgery, but has been up as high as 97 and typically sits 91-94. He has a 1-7 big breaking curve I put a plus grade on a season ago and a filthy change that runs with late dip. The arm slot is a good, extended ¾ with balance throughout the delivery and repeatable. I have put high floor grades on Longhorn starters each of the previous two years in Ty Madden and Pete Hansen, Witt makes it a third year in a row I will be doing that.

10. Maui Ahuna, SS, Tennessee – A smooth left-handed swing that looks like a slap approach but can drive the ball all over the yard, Ahuna is a unique prospect and will get plenty of attention now that he is with Tennessee rather than Kansas. He is a guy who is not afraid to lay down a bunt for a hit, or go no doubter to center. There is some hip load and the swing can get long and lofty, but the bat head is quick and he does use the whole field. In the field, he is very athletic although sticking at short may be a bit of a longshot. A future move to center or second base are probably more likely, but that doesn’t reduce the value much for me.

11. Cade Kuehler, RHP, Campbell – Thomas Harrington was the arm I was looking forward to watching for the Camels last season (an arm that was selected 36th overall in the 2022 draft) but Kuehler was the arm that stood out most on the staff. His short arm delivery initially leaves you concerned it is a reliever profile, but he holds his stuff deep into starts. In the NCAA Regionals a season ago he sat 94-96 with his riding fastball, a two-plane slider at 85 that flashed plus, and a curve at 80 that will definitely play at the next level. Throughout the season he also mixed in a change and a cutting version of the slider giving him five legitimate offerings.

12. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida – The unquestioned ace of the Southern Miss staff a season ago, Waldrep transferred to Gainsville for this season where he will try to repeat his impressive 14 K/9 ratio against elite college talent. His fastball sits 94-96 although I like his slider and change better than the fastball. The offspeed offerings have true plus potential and he used them to notch six straight Ks in his start in the regionals a season ago. There is a ton of late effort in his delivery, which is the only reason he is not in the top 10 right now, as there is real risk he winds up in a bullpen long term.

13. Paul Skenes, RHP/DH, LSU – While his future is most likely on the mound, I am not totally giving up on him as a two-way guy just yet. He has caught, played first base, and DHd for Air Force where he can absolutely crush the ball with genuine plus raw power, but there are contact concerns to go with defensive questions that will ultimately be the end of his two-way journey eventually. On the mound he sits 93-94 with a heavy fastball that has been up to 99 to go with a quality slider and developing change. He is 6’6” and 235 lbs. so he has the body to hold the starters workload and has good mechanics in his delivery despite some short arm which actually helps create additional deception.

14. Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina – Coming out of high school in 2020, Sanders was a projectable righty a lot of scouts liked. Now, with two years of college ball under his belt, he is still a projectable righty. At 6’6”, his fastball has a heavy downhill plane on it and it can get up to 96, but sits more 92-94. He has a swing and miss changeup and a solid slider giving him a quality three pitch mix to go with a body that projects well as a starter long term. He still has some physical projection too, so this would very much be a pick based on upside rather than floor as he is a high ceiling, low floor prospect.

15. Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami – In a draft that looks to feature a good amount of contact first guys, Morales is every bit the new school all or nothing bat. He hit nearly .330 a season ago, but there is plenty of swing-and-miss in the bat, although it does have true plus raw power in it too. He was a round two type talent in 2020, but his swing has been cleaned up some and that K potential has been limited some compared to his reports three seasons ago. In the field, he is exactly what you want from a third baseman, with a big body and a plus arm. Morales will certainly turn some heads this Spring.

16. Tommy Troy, SS/2B, Stanford – Troy is a guy who will get the opportunity to prove he can hold down shortstop this Spring, although there are some doubts about his ability to stay there long term and I expect him to move back to second base in the future. While he is under six feet tall and weighs in at just 180 lbs., there is average to better power for a middle infielder in the bat, which finds barrels regularly. Troy is a guy who is unassuming as a player, but should continue to be a reliable contributor who can provide quality defense at second and near the top of an order.

17. Travis Honeyman, OF, Boston College – If you are looking for a guy with big tools, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a very good all around baseball player though, you have found that in Honeyman. He is a guy who has average power, makes plenty of contact, can run a little, and play solid defense. He has spent most of his collegiate career in left, but there might be enough speed and instincts to be a decent center fielder. The arm is below average, so his overall defensive profile will probably never be better than average, but his success in wood bat summer leagues prove he won’t struggle with that part of the transition to pro ball.

18. Matt Shaw, INF, Maryland – The Cape Cod League leader in all three slash lines on his way to being named the league’s MVP, Shaw is an offensive gem. He has plenty of power and makes a ton of contact with a well polished approach at the plate. He has seen time at short in college, but his range, build, and hands seem unlikely to stay there with the most likely destination being third base. That said, his baseball IQ and grittiness on the diamond could keep the door open on him sticking in the middle of the diamond.

19. Kyle Teel, C/OF, Virginia – The best catcher in the college class this season, and it is not particularly close. Teel is incredibly athletic for a catcher and can easily play in the outfield if needed, something he does on his off days behind the plate for Virginia. His receiving ability has improved greatly over the past couple years and his arm is certainly above average. While watching him at the plate, it is easy to think he has an all or nothing approach, but he actually walks more than he strikes out, so there is a real approach to his ABs beyond the aggressive swings. He has really struggled with wood bats thus far, and he won’t get any more chances to prove he can adjust before transitioning to pro ball, but his success at the plate will determine if he flirts with being a mid-first round guy, or someone who slips deep into day two.

20. Jack Hurley, OF, Virginia Tech – Hurley is as tough an evaluation as there is for me right now. The hands and feet aren’t in sync, there are a lot of moving parts in his swing, and he has put up concerning strikeout numbers. On the other side, a vast majority of those strikeouts have come on offspeed offerings, and he has shown the ability to barrel up quality fastballs. He was arguably the best offensive contributor on a Virginia Tech team that featured the number nine overall pick in Gavin Cross a season ago. The ball really jumps when he makes contact and he hit for a .375 average a season ago while showing an approach that allows him to use all fields and drive the ball all over the ballpark. The arm probably won’t let him play right, but he has enough speed he might be able to stick in center long term.

21. Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest – Wilken is a power-power prospect as he has a true plus arm and has as much raw power at the plate as anyone in college baseball. His freshman campaign saw him launch a program record 17 long balls in just 47 games, then following it up with 23 in 60 games a season ago. The power has translated to wood bats as he has 11 home runs in 68 games on the Cape. He adjusts well to all vertical sections of the zone, but can get beat away and strikes out often. In the field, his range suggests a future move to first, but he has decent hands and the aforementioned cannon of an arm just might allow him to stick at third.

22. Teddy McGraw, RHP, Wake Forest – Don’t let the college ERA of 4.15 fool you as McGraw pitches in one of the more offense friendly ballparks among the power five schools. On the day I watched him he sat 92-94 with his fastball, but there are reports of him being up to 98 with it. His slider is best in the lower 80s as he has the most break with is there, but he can throw it at higher velocities but it loses depth to the shape. His change shows promise, but is still pretty raw. The delivery comes with a good lower 3/4 slot, but there is a bit of late effort and some inconsistency in the head that had led to some command troubles, but nothing that is too concerning long term.

23. Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia – The hot corner for Virginia may as well be renamed the Gelof corner as Zach manned it from 2019-2021 before being selected in the second round by the Oakland Athletics. In 2021 Jake shared some time there with his older brother, then put Zach’s numbers to shame in 2022 when Jake hit .377 and launching 21 home runs. He has true plus power potential with a quality approach at the plate that allows him to draw plenty of walks, but he also strikes out quite a bit, leading 42% of his trips to the plate ending on one of the three true outcomes a season ago. In the field he is inconsistent, there are days he looks like a no-brainer to stick at third, then there are days he truly struggles at the position, so what a team thinks of his defensive future will be a big factor into how high he goes in the draft.

24. Ross Dunn, LHP, Arizona State – Arizona State had a quality transfer portal this past season, and no one is expected to make a bigger impact than Dunn. He has a very well balanced and controlled delivery that does create some cross-body action despite a pretty traditional 3/4 arm slot. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has a solid slider and a change that has some fade to it. One issue is the arm speed does slow some on the change, so that needs to be corrected if he is going to be successful at the next level.

25. Patrick Reilly, RHP, Vanderbilt – Starter or reliever? That is the big question with Reilly. He has been primarily used as a multi-inning reliever but will likely be the Friday night arm for Vandy this season where he will need to demonstrate better command if he is going to convince teams he can be a long term starting pitcher. His fastball sits mid-90s to go with a solid slider and mixes in a cutter and change as well. He hides the ball well so all his offerings play up some and he is able to generate plenty of downhill action despite the 3/4 slot. The stuff and delivery are absolutely good enough to be a long tem starter, he just needs to fine tune the command and consistency, if he does, he could really rise on a lot of draft boards.

26. Brandon Sproat, RHP, Florida – The New York Mets seem to be starting a concerning trend of failing to come to terms with highly selected college arms, failing to sign Kumar Rocker in the first round in 2021 and watching Sproat head back to campus after being a third round pick this past draft (he was also the highest unsigned pick in 2019, electing to go to school rather than signing with the Texas Rangers who selected him in the seventh). Sproat heads back to Gainsville where he will team with Hurston Waldrep to form one of the better starting pitching duos in college baseball. Sproat features a big fastball and a slider that gets into the low 90s while he has a solid change and curveball to go with it.

27. Carson Montgomery, RHP, Florida State – With a repeatable lower 3/4 delivery and solid build, there is little doubt Montgomery looks like a starting pitcher, but consistency and in-game results remain the two big stepping stones. In terms of pure stuff, Montgomery has it, with a fastball in the mid-90s and two versions of a slider, one a two-plane breaker, one more cutterish, and a quality change. Despite plus stuff, he has found himself relegated to mid-week starter duties for Florida State and has a career ERA of 4.83 with the Seminoles. There might not be a bigger gap between stuff and results in the draft right now, so how he performs this season will be incredibly important.

28. Cole Carrigg, SS/3B/OF, San Diego State – Carrigg has played double-digit games at second, third, short, and centerfield in his career thus far in his career for San Diego State, while also seeing time in left, on the mound, and even behind the plate. He is best suited for center long term where he has the potential to be a plus outfielder with a quality arm. At the plate he is a contact hitter where he has hit nearly .350 in his career thus far and is a threat to steal on the bases. He does not have much in terms of power currently, but the body certainly suggests there could be double digit home run potential eventually.

29. Tre’ Morgan, 1B, LSU – Morgan is such an odd profile for today’s baseball, as he is an athletic first baseman who is hit over power at the plate. He is a guy who doesn’t like to strike out and will choke up on the bat with two strikes and shoot the ball the other way to secure a single. He doesn’t project to ever have more than average power, which is well below average when you take the defensive position into account. He is one of the better defensive first baseman college baseball has seen of late and he has a left side of the infield quality arm at first base, but he can be prone to some mental mistakes at times.

30. Luke Keaschall, SS, Arizona State – Another impact transfer for ASU, Keaschall moves from San Francisco to Tempe where he will get much more exposure and see better pitching. He has played each of the last two seasons on the Cape so he is no stranger to good opposition, and this season should really allow him to shine on a more national stage. He has experience at third, second, short, left, and center, so he is definitely a versatile defender.  There are some concerns over his footwork in the dirt so there may be an eventual move to the outfield. His wide base at the plate does lead to some balance concerns at times, but he does manage to barrel up the ball often and has shown true average power to the pull side.

31. Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas – At 6’6” coming from the 3/4 arm slot with good extension and running a fastball up to 98, Wiggins has as tough a fastball to time when he is at his best. Problem is he has genuine command concerns and there is plenty of effort in the delivery. He has a change that had good late dip and a breaking ball that has been classified as a slider but I have seen more of a curve look with a 1-7 break in the low 80s. The fastball also can get flat at times making it much easier to barrel up, but when he gets the good downhill plane it is elite. He is probably destined for a bullpen, but the fact he can hold his stuff deep into games suggests he can handle the starter’s workload, he just need to make a real jump in his command.

32. Jared Dickey, C/OF, Tennessee – An outfielder with Tennessee, the plan is for him to be the catcher this coming season. His range in the outfield will be a concern, but he has the arm of a catcher so it can absolutely play in right. He has only seen action behind the plate in 8 games thus far in college, so the jury is still very much out on that front. As seems to be the case with players from Tennessee of late, his calling card is the power as he has plus potential there and has a good approach at the plate. Given the position transition and the fact he was a utility player with sporadic playing time a season ago, Dickey has a lot riding on his production this season.

33. Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Oklahoma State – The transfer portal is alive and well in college baseball, as Watts-Brown is yet another transfer on this list, moving from the Dirtbags of Long Beach State to the Pokes of Oklahoma State. JWB comes from a bit higher than 3/4 arm slot, but his fastball can get flat at times but does play up thanks to good extension. He also features a slider, curve, and change with the slider looking like a potential plus offering and the curve and 11-5 breaker that could get to plus as well. His change is behind both other offspeed offerings, but overall this is an arm that will has somewhat come out of nowhere and could be a dominant arm in the Big 12.

34. Jackson Baumeister, RHP, Florida State – Baumeister is a draft eligible sophomore who was considered a day two prospect in the 2021 draft as a two-way player, he has given up catching and is now a pitching only prospect, but the stuff is real. His fastball sits low-to-mid 90s but he has been higher in relief outings, while he has a slider and curve to go with it as a project pitch in his change. There are some command concerns and the Seminoles have a loaded rotation, so there is some risk he could lose a weekend job if he struggles out the gate, but there is also the upside of him being the best starter for the loaded staff.

35. Nolan Schanuel, 1B/OF, Florida Atlantic – Shanuel is a pure hitter who can absolutely drive the ball but mainly to the pull side. His hips are aggressive and really fire with authority at the plate, allowing him to turn on the best fastball, but it also leads to him getting out in front of the breaking ball, especially when facing a left handed pitcher. While he has seen some limited action at third base as a right handed throwing lefty bat, he is most likely to end up at 1B long term where his bat should play just fine.

36. Joseph Gonzalez, RHP, Auburn – Gonzalez is the definition of a limited effort arm as his delivery reminds me of a kuckleballer, but the sinking fastball still runs up to 94. He also has a quality slider and a mid-80s changeup with real sink. The arm is short on the way back but gets decent extension in a low 3/4 slot that helps create horizontal movement to go with the fact everything sinks. While his strikeout numbers are unlikely to wow you at the next level, he is a groundball pitcher who can hold his stuff late into outings and is a high floor starter.

37. Wyatt Crowell, LHP, Florida State – A 6-foot lefty with zero starts to his name in college, Crowell has a lot to prove this Spring if he wants to be selected high in the draft. He has a legit fastball that gets into the mid-to-upper 90s with a slider that has late break and a change that has some real upside. He has decent leg drive and better control than most college relievers, so there is definitely some hope he can make it as a starter. If he were a pure reliever, he would probably just miss out on this list, but I think there is enough hope he can stick in a rotation.

38. Nathan Dettmer, RHP, Texas A&M – Dettmer was a key arm for the Aggies in their run to Omaha a season ago lifting him from off the radar to a legitimate draft prospect. His fastball can get into the upper 90s with a heavy downhill plane but his best offering is his massive slider, although it is very inconsistent. He also has a change that has plenty of potential that gives him a quality starter mix to go with a prototypical starter frame. Consistency is key as he does not have the track record and the stuff can be so spotty in terms of being on from one game to the next, but a good season and Dettmer could make himself a lot of money.

39. Ryan Lasko, OF, Rutgers – Rutgers isn’t exactly a baseball powerhouse, but Lasko is doing his best to help make them relevant. He has put up consecutive seasons with double-digit power numbers and really saw all three of his slash lines take a massive jump. If he can continue making consistent contact at the plate, he could be a guy who flirts with becoming a day one guy thanks to his ability to drive the ball while playing a quality center field. If his contact rate dips closer to what he had his freshman year, he may have to wait until the middle of day two to hear his name called.

40. Chase Davis, OF, Arizona – Davis has one of the smoothest swings in college baseball, and his head stays on the ball well allowing him to track the ball through his entire swing. Despite that, there is still some swing and miss in his game and his offensive production comes primarily from his power, but that is a potential plus tool. He has primarily played out in left for Arizona, but he has a very good arm that would be just fine in right so he does have some positional flexibility in the outfield.

41. Drew Bowser, 3B, Stanford – Bowser’s end of season numbers looked good, but he definitely had a slow start to the season last year. He has shown the ability to stay inside the baseball and really drive it the other way, but his future is likely as a power hitting pull bat. There is a ton of whiff in his bat, but that plus power will help mitigate the downside. He has played third throughout his college career but is not a particularly good defender there and would like to see him get some time in the outfield to show he is not ultimately destined for first base.

42. Kade Morris, RHP, Nevada – Morris entered the transfer portal and actually committed to TCU this summer, but ultimately was forced to reverse course and head back to Nevada. He absolutely has a starter’s look as he uses both a two and four seam fastball that can get up to 97, a change that is a weapon against lefties despite still being rather raw, and a quality slider. He has even shown an occasional curve at times. His delivery has some effort and the arm is very whippy in a bit of an inconsistent 3/4 arm slot, so there is definitely some reliever risk with Morris.

43. Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State – A lefty hitting slap approach shortstop, Jebb is not today’s prototypical ballplayer, but he is a good one. He walked at more than double the rate he struck out a season ago and has a knack for finding the gap and taking an extra base. He is a very instinctive ballplayer that allows him to play better than his speed on the bases, although he does have above-average speed in it’s own right, and will likely be able to stick at short. He did hit eight home runs between the collegiate season and his summer on the Cape, so there is some pop in the bat, although he will always likely be just below average in the power category.

44. Alex Mooney, SS, Duke – Mooney is a draft eligible sophomore who has a plus arm on the left side of the infield and quality range that suggests he can stick at short. At the plate his hands are strong, although he does open with his shoulders some and his wrists can be stiff. His pitch recognition really improved as the 2022 season progressed and he now projects to have an above-average hit tool when it was probably just below-average early in the season. The strength in the swing does allow him to drive the ball to the pull side giving him average power and really has at least average grades in all five tools.

45. LuJames Groover III, 1B/2B/OF, NC State – Groover is a hitter! He has a plus hit tool and swings when he gets a pitch he likes, leading to very few strikeouts but also few walks. He has shown the ability to drive the ball, but mainly in the gaps but there is at least average, and potentially more, home run power in his projection. The biggest question with Groover is where the heck he is gonna play. He first base primarily a season ago, but he is far from a prototypical first baseman. He has seen time at third, second, left, and right, with the most hopeful projection is him becoming an average 2B. If he sticks at first, he is a mid-day two guy, if he can prove he can play second, he just might move into the end of day one.

46. Magdiel Cotto, LHP, Kentucky – Yes, his career ERA is over 6.50, but there is a ton of potential in this left arm. He sits mid-90s while having touched 97 with a whippy arm to go along with a decent slider and change. The big problem with Cotto is his consistency and command. When at his best he can get Ks via the sharp slider or the late dropping change, as well as blow the ball by the best hitters. Unfortunately his pitch placement catches too much of the plate, and his offerings can get flat and squared up too often. He could feasibly fall outside the top 100 college players by draft day, or he could be a day one pick, the variations in potential outcomes here are massive.

47. Marcus Brown, SS, Oklahoma State – Brown is as defense first shortstop who committed zero errors in 135 chances on the Cape over the summer.  He did not put up great numbers at the plate on the Cape, but he hit over .400 in the Appy League the summer before and has hit .323 in his two seasons at Oklahoma State. Unfortunately, the Cape numbers are probably most realistic in his future potential as his hips open early at the plate and he chases far too many balls out of the zone. He does have good bat speed so there is some pop and hope the contact rate can improve, but the defense is really the calling card here.

48. Grant Taylor, RHP, LSU – Another draft eligible sophomore, Taylor was a highly touted prospect as a prep arm in 2021 and showed flashes of it out of the bullpen for LSU a season ago. He put up a K/9 rate of 11.3, but he did also walk more than 6 per nine showing the concerning command. He is yet another on this list who spent the summer on the Cape, where he threw 21 innings and only walked two while having a K rate of nearly 13. If he shows the command he had on the Cape this season, he will really jump up draft boards, especially since he has a fastball that has been as high as 99 and a quality slider and change.

49. Nick Goodwin, INF, Kansas State – A shortstop at Kansas State, Goodwin is more likely to end up at either third or second. He has put up double digit home runs in each of his first two seasons and would have plenty of power in the bat if he does move to the hot corner. He has shown an improved feel for the zone, increasing his walk rate, but there are plenty of strikeouts in his game too. A guy who has ended a plate appearance with a 3 true outcome in 38% of trips so far in college, there is a lot of boom or bust when he steps to the plate.

50. Christian Knapczyk, SS, Louisville – Knapczyk is an absolute gamer! He is a guy who makes great reads on the bases, regularly moving first to second on a ball in the dirt and is an overall elite baserunner. He isn’t afraid to drop down a bunt for a hit and plays a high quality short with plenty of range. At the plate, there will never be much in terms of power, but he is a guy with a decent swing and a very good eye at the plate, with more walks that strikeouts in his college career.

Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.




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