2023 MLB Draft Recap - kdutch98's Dynasty

kdutch98's Dynasty Blog

2023 MLB Draft Recap

Posted on May 12, 2023 at 07:58 PM.

(0)

2023 MLB DRAFT RECAP

The 2023 MLB Draft is in the books. And it didn't come without some surprises.

As expected, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Neal Lantz #1 overall. Lantz is viewed as an MLB ready, generational prospect by most scouts.

2023 MLB Draft Top 10 Picks
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1	PITTSBURGH PIRATES	Neal Lantz	RF	5-10	211
2	WASHINGTON NATIONALS	Oliver Chacon	SS	5-8	186
3	DETROIT TIGERS	Vaughn Beltre	CF	5-10	211
4	TEXAS RANGERS	Thomas Reyes	SP	6-0	210
5	MINNESOTA TWINS	Fernando Morales	RF	6-4	201
6	OAKLAND A'S	Omar Guerrero	SP	6-5	187
7	CINCINNATI REDS	Tom Tompkins	SP	5-10	207
8	KANSAS CITY ROYALS	Dave Thacker	3B	6-4	209
9	COLORADO ROCKIES	Jeff Garcia	SP	6-1	176
10	MIAMI MARLINS	Andres Guerra	RF	5-10	210

The surprise came at #2, where the Washington Nationals chose shortstop Oliver Chacon, instead of either ourfielder Vaughn Beltre, or pitcher Thomas Reyes. Analysts are speculating that it was signability/bonus demands, along with medical uncertainty that led to the decision.

This allowed the Detroit Tigers to change course, and select Beltre with the 3rd overall pick. "We were ecstatic that Beltre fell to us at #3. He was the top guy on our board, even ahead of Lantz" said Scott Harris, Tigers President of Baseball Operations. Beltre is just 18 years old, but the Tiger's management believe he will develop into a "generational talent" that can set a team up for the next 5-10 years.

2023 Detroit Tiger Draft Picks
Pick	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
3	Vaughn Beltre	CF	5-10	211
36	Cliff Bradford	SP	6-2	206
44	Brett Cortez	P	6-3	194
81	Richie Sanchez	C	6-3	219
111	Dominic Luna	1B	6-4	187
141	Bob Ramirez	P	6-0	171
171	Julian Velazquez	2B	6-2	206

The Tigers are very high on their other picks, as well. While none of them have quite the upside that Beltre has, they appeared to get quite a haul of potential MLB talent. They feel 21 year old pitcher Cliff Bradford is close to MLB ready right now. Pitcher Brett Cortez isn't very far behind. And they also believe they got a good future piece in 18 year old catcher Richie Sanchez.