The 2023 MLB draft features plenty of talent and could end up being one of the deeper drafts in recent memory. The college class is filled with talent, possessing an impressive group of high-end hitters and depth among the pitching crop.
We are a year away from the draft so a lot could change between now and then. The prep class also has a lot of talent. Below is a look at some top college prospects in the 2023 MLB draft class.
Dylan Crews, OF, LSU
Crews was one of the top prep players in the 2020 draft class before opting out of the draft. Now three years later, Crews is the favorite to go first overall in the 2023 MLB draft. Crews is the complete package.
He has a powerful right-handed swing that produces elite exit velocities and uses the entire field. He hits for average and power while possessing respectable plate discipline.
Crews has the skillset to remain in center field. He has above-average speed and arm strength. He also has quality instincts that allow him to make all the necessary plays in the field.
Crews has hit .356 with 27 doubles, 40 home runs and 114 RBIs in 495 at-bats in his first two years at LSU. He has tallied 100 strikeouts and 81 walks. The 6-foot, 203-pound outfielder has five-tool potential with the ability to move through a minor-league system quickly.
Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi
Gonzalez has made a tremendous impact offensively in his first two years at Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound left-handed hitter is a well-rounded offensive player. He has notable bat-to-ball skills and hits for average and power to all fields. He also has tremendous plate discipline, as he has more walks (88) than strikeouts (66) at Ole Miss.
Defensively, Gonzalez is athletic and possesses above-average arm strength. He has good instincts and will remain at shortstop long term.
Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
Wilken is a big-time power hitter who uses all parts of the field. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound right-handed hitter is more of a power over average hitter and is aggressive every time he steps to the plate. His approach sometimes leads to strikeouts, as he has recorded 107 strikeouts to 57 walks in two seasons at Wake Forest.
Defensively, Wilken is an adequate defender and will play third base in pro ball due to his strong arm.
Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
Dollander is the top college arm in the 2023 draft class. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound right-handed pitcher boasts a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph. He throws from a repeatable delivery and mixes in three secondary pitches, including a high-80s slider.
Dollander generates a lot of swings and misses with his fastball. He isn’t afraid to challenge hitters and possesses quality command and control of his pitches.
Drew Bowser, 3B, Stanford
Bowser was a top prep prospect in the 2020 draft but had a strong commitment to Stanford. In his first two years, Bowser served as a consistent offensive producer. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right-handed hitter uses a compact swing to drive the ball to all fields with massive power. His aggressive approach sometimes leads to strikeouts, however.
Bowser has the athleticism and arm strength to play well defensively at third base.
Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas
Witt is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. When healthy, Witt has the exciting combination of size and pitch mix to make him the top pitching prospect in the 2023 draft.
Witt is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound righty who primarily relies on a low-to-mid-90s fastball, which features movement, and a 12-to-6 curveball. He mixes in a changeup and slider. He attacks the strike zone and features quality control and command of his pitches.
Christian Little, RHP, LSU
Little spent his first two years at Vanderbilt before transferring to LSU this offseason. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound righty throws a fastball, cutter, slider and changeup from an over-the-top arm slot.
Little’s fastball sits in the mid-90s, and it plays up due to the deception in his delivery. He has a solid mix of pitches and projects as a long-term starter. He displays respectable command and control of his pitches.
Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt
Bradfield possesses elite speed and projects as a quality top-of-the-order hitter in the pro ranks. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound left-handed hitter has a contact-oriented approach with a strong understanding of the strike zone and a proven ability to create disruption on the bases.
He is a well-regarded defensive center fielder who will remain at the position in pro ball. He runs quality routes and covers a lot of ground due to his speed.
Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina
Sander is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound righty known for his exciting combination of size and pitch mix. The righty has solid command and has plenty of projection remaining.
He boasts a mid-90s fastball and a putaway slider. He also shows a solid feel for his changeup.
Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami
Morales hits for an exciting combination of average and power. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound right-handed hitter shows an ability to hit for above-average power to all fields. He is an aggressive hitter but limits his strikeouts.
Morales is agile for his size and shows quick actions defensively. He has a strong arm and profiles well at third base.
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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for eight years. He has interviewed 433 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
