2023 MLB Draft

[imref]

Never to early to get giddy about prospects.

Mocks:

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg-ed27s

2. Washington Nationals - Chase Dollander

Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
Not only is Dollander the cream of the crop in terms of college pitching this spring, he’s a metric-darling with unicorn traits that can be extremely tough to find. He checks a lot of boxes. Projection, production, performance and unique data. Dollander has a shot at becoming a frontline starter at the next level with an upper-90s fastball and a plus to double-plus slider. He mixes in an above average changeup that has been un-hittable for lefty bats. If he can repeat his 2022 in the SEC next season, he’s got 1.1 upside. He screams Washington Nationals too. There is a rich history of big conference, big performer starting pitchers going to Washington in the first round.

https://www.perfectgame.org/articles/View.aspx?article=21422

2. Washington Nationals | Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss

Gonzalez is one of the safer bets at the top of the class while still providing All Star potential. It is hard not to take the potential plus hit tool and projectable power that he provides. The Ole Miss shortstop has been productive since stepping foot on campus and should cement himself among the top picks with another strong spring. -Tyler Henninger

and another with Gonzalez going at #2 (though before the draft lottery)

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-draft-mock

Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi
A left-handed-hitting shortstop, Gonzalez had an OPS over 1.000 as a freshman at Ole Miss, and while he slumped down the stretch in 2022, he finished well in postseason play and still hit 18 homers. He also continued to show a very advanced approach at the plate, with many more walks than strikeouts, all coming while playing a premium position.

[Elvir Ovcina]

It's pretty early to get excited about prospects, especially arms.  These guys have an entire season in which to acquire ruinous injuries.

[Slateman]

It's pretty early to get excited about prospects, especially arms.  These guys have an entire season in which to acquire ruinous injuries.

Yep. Dollander hasn't even had TJS yet.

[imref]

It's pretty early to get excited about prospects, especially arms.  These guys have an entire season in which to acquire ruinous injuries.

well, it's not like we have much else to get excited about....

[Elvir Ovcina]

well, it's not like we have much else to get excited about....

The Rule 5 draft is today.  It's the only way to guarantee a championship next year.

[Mattionals]

I'd role the dice on Dollander. The organization needs more pitching. Honestly, the organization needs more everything, including most importantly a new development team, but outside of Cavalli, the arms in the minors seem, meh at best. Then again, TINSTAAPP.

[imref]

I'd role the dice on Dollander. The organization needs more pitching. Honestly, the organization needs more everything, including most importantly a new development team, but outside of Cavalli, the arms in the minors seem, meh at best. Then again, TINSTAAPP.

In a perfect scenario we draft Dollander (assuming the Pirates take Crews) and given his age, he's goes down the Strasburg path and arrives here as a 21 year-old next season (he turns 22 in October). More likely, that sets up the 2023 rotation as Cavalli, Dollander, Gray, Gore, and Corbin unfortunately.

Based on potential, that's a pretty decent rotation.

[RD]

In a perfect scenario we draft Dollander (assuming the Pirates take Crews) and given his age, he's goes down the Strasburg path and arrives here as a 21 year-old next season (he turns 22 in October). More likely, that sets up the 2023 rotation as Cavalli, Dollander, Gray, Gore, and Corbin unfortunately.

Based on potential, that's a pretty decent rotation.

I think you're off a year. Even if Dollander is drafted by the Nats, he's not reaching the bigs as a 21 year old and joining the rotation in '23. Strasburg didn't even come up the year he was drafted. Best case is, he gets a couple starts after being drafted(I'm sure there will be inning restrictions as he approaches 100ip for thr first time) and then comes up in '24.

[Slateman]

I think you're off a year. Even if Dollander is drafted by the Nats, he's not reaching the bigs as a 21 year old and joining the rotation in '23. Strasburg didn't even come up the year he was drafted. Best case is, he gets a couple starts after being drafted(I'm sure there will be inning restrictions as he approaches 100ip for thr first time) and then comes up in '24.

Throw in a TJS and follow up season with innings limit and hes not really a rotation mainstay until the 2026 season.

[Slateman]

You can find some games with him.

His fastball is sitting 94-96 and he can paint the black. He also gets a ton of spin on it. He uses his slider on both sides of the plate.

[imref]

Revised rankings from Fangraphs: Dollander drops to 5th.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2023-mlb-draft/summary?type=0&sort=-1,1

1 Dylan Crews   RF
2 Brayden Taylor 3B
3 Wyatt Langford LF
4. Max Clark   CF
5 Chase Dollander   SP

[Kevrock]

No one has played baseball, so funny to have any movement.

[imref]

Dollander pitching for Tennessee tonight at 8PM on MLB Network

[imref]

Took the L

Tennessee ace Chase Dollander had a decent start in his first outing of the season as the Friday-night starter. He had seven strikeouts in 4⅔ innings before reaching his pitch count. He allowed three hits and two earned runs, including a solo homer in the second from Arizona's Tony Bullard.

[zimm_da_kid]

Was only sitting 93-94 in the 1st.  Hung a middle middle slider for a solo shot in the 2nd

[DCsOwn]

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626691713803644928?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626716680528482305?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626692999953502214?s=46&t=J1J3tFPz1XqyTM7XDrc6kQ

If there’s ever been a pitcher that SCREAMS Mike Rizzo, it might be Skenes.

[Slateman]

Was only sitting 93-94 in the 1st.  Hung a middle middle slider for a solo shot in the 2nd

Struck out 7 in 4 2/3rds in his first start of the year though

[DCsOwn]

https://youtube.com/shorts/v1zAQaYc4QM?feature=share

A bit more from Skenes via Pitching Ninja

[zimm_da_kid]

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626691713803644928?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626716680528482305?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626692999953502214?s=46&t=J1J3tFPz1XqyTM7XDrc6kQ

If there’s ever been a pitcher that SCREAMS Mike Rizzo, it might be Skenes.

Skenes also has 30 homer raw power and mashed at Air Force.  He’s a high octane Brandon McKay.  Better on both ends

[zimm_da_kid]

Revised rankings from Fangraphs: Dollander drops to 5th.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2023-mlb-draft/summary?type=0&sort=-1,1

1 Dylan Crews   RF
2 Brayden Taylor 3B
3 Wyatt Langford LF
4. Max Clark   CF
5 Chase Dollander   SP

Fangraphs seems way more bearish on everyone (except Taylor).  Mlb.com seems to focus on effusive praise and upside talk

[JCA-CrystalCity]

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626691713803644928?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626716680528482305?s=46&t=t_XmcNm4cRVstIH4PTIokA

https://twitter.com/pitchingninja/status/1626692999953502214?s=46&t=J1J3tFPz1XqyTM7XDrc6kQ

If there’s ever been a pitcher that SCREAMS Mike Rizzo, it might be Skenes.

Yah, he likes 'em big, and he seems to have a couple inches and 20 pounds on every other highly ranked pitcher on Longenhagens's list.

[nobleisthyname]

Fangraphs seems way more bearish on everyone (except Taylor).  Mlb.com seems to focus on effusive praise and upside talk

Probably more realistic.

[zimm_da_kid]

If we go with a pitcher, at least with skenes if his arm implodes we could always trot him out as a 1B who could conceivably make the show

[Section214]

If we go with a pitcher, at least with skenes if his arm implodes we could always trot him out as a 1B who could conceivably make the show

Either sarcasm or a wild thing to say about our 2nd overall pick.

[Slateman]

If we go with a pitcher, at least with skenes if his arm implodes we could always trot him out as a 1B who could conceivably make the show

Right. Thats exactly what the Rays were thinking with McKay