2023 MLB Draft Report: Early look at Waldrep, Sanders, and Watts-Brown

The first weekend of D-I college baseball was fun. Plenty of action, especially with the tournament being held at Arlington, Texas, as TCU, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma State battled. It was nice to watch baseball again, even though it annoyed me how many college programs still insist on bunting a runner on first over to second base even as early as the second inning!

Two things did stand out to me while flipping through games. Many college programs have anted up and paid for PitchCom. I saw a variety of uses that included what we saw in the majors last year, but some pitchers were wearing bracelets. I’m assuming some pitch calls from the dugout are being relayed to both the catcher and pitcher. This results in pitchers looking at their wrists before throwing their next pitch.

Now, MLB is going to experiment with something similar during Spring Training, but it’s for pitchers to relay to the catcher what they want to throw next. This device is supposed to reduce the number of mound visits between catchers and pitchers, especially with runners in scoring position. We’ll see if this bracelet actually reduces those types of mound visits, but I found it interesting that some programs are taking it further by not relying so much on the catcher to give signs. I’m not the biggest fan of this workaround because it hinders game-calling development for college catchers.

The second thing I noticed was starting pitchers were on a pitch count. Many top programs limited the first outing to 80 or fewer pitches. When rummaging box scores to see how top pitchers fared, only a few got through five innings. With the number of injuries seen to college arms in recent seasons, many programs are throttling back early to prevent any elbow or shoulder blowouts.

Speaking of college arms, I extensively watched three in our Top 50 to establish a baseline for the upcoming season.

Hurston Waldrep vs. Charleston Southern

Final line: 5 IP 4 H 2 ER 2 BB 6 K | 77 pitches; 55 strikes

As I wrote last week, Hurston Waldrep has a chance of making the most significant transfer impact in a heavily contested SEC this season. Of course, LSU’s Paul Skenes put in a superb debut performance last Friday (more on that later). Nonetheless, after watching Waldrep’s first outing for Florida, I’m convinced his draft stock is rising considerably.

Waldrep fits in with how many MLB right-handed pitchers are attacking hitters today by mostly four-seam fastballs and sliders. What I liked about Waldrep’s start is his ability to move his pitches within the strike zone. He has good enough command of his fastball to place it where he wants, whether up or inside on hitters. In a few at-bats, Waldrep wasn’t afraid to throw first-pitch sliders to prevent hitters from gearing up for heat. I was impressed by Haldrep’s pitchability and his understanding of what his stuff can do.

Last year, Waldrep would hit premium velocities around 98 mph. Against Charleston Southern, Waldrep mostly sat at 94-95 mph and would occasionally dial up to 96 mph. The fact Waldrep was consistently sitting at 94-95 mph gives me the confidence to say his four-seam fastball is already a plus pitch (60+ grade). When adding the multiple variations of his slider, Waldrep will put up big strikeout numbers in 2023.

I saw variations that looked like a cut fastball and some that dropped off the table. A sharper downward break than curveballs typically are. Waldrep did get one of his strikeouts throwing a changeup against a left-handed hitter. I’m hoping to see more confidence in that pitch for Waldrep.

If you were to ask me what would be the best possible outcome for the White Sox at pick 15 in February, I would say that Waldrep is still on the board. He might become Top-10 material later in the season.

Will Sanders vs. UMass-Lowell

Final line: 4 IP 3 H 2 ER 1 BB 3 K 2 HBP | 75 Pitches; 49 strikes

After a ten-pitch first inning, Will Sanders struggled in the second inning against UMass-Lowell, which allowed me to see how Sanders deals with adversity. For his sake, I'm glad Sanders faced UMass-Lowell in his first start, not someone like LSU or Wake Forest. That second inning would have been a lot uglier.

In that second inning, Sanders threw 36 pitches, which is getting close to Danger Zone levels for any pitcher in a single frame. According to the television broadcast, most of these pitches were his four-seam fastball, mostly at 93 mph. While the velocity is acceptable, the command is not. Too often, Sanders would lose his release point and fall behind hitters. He struggled to get into a position to throw his wipeout slider. Sanders eventually did end the second inning with a strikeout on back-to-back sliders, so that's one positive.

Moving forward, I will focus on Sanders's fastball command. While velocity-wise, Sanders is at a 45-50 grade on MLB terms, that command is, at best, 40 grade. If Sanders can't locate his four-seam fastball, it'll be tough to showcase his slider and changeup, which are good pitches.

Juaron Watts-Brown vs. Missouri

Final line: 4 IP 7 H 3 ER 1 BB 6 K | 74 pitches; 44 strikes

I enjoyed Keith Law’s take on Oklahoma State’s Juaron Watts-Brown. Being in attendance and having handy TrackMan data, Law brings a different perspective that I have on Watts-Brown. I recommend checking it out.

For me, Watts-Brown against Missouri at times looked like a Marcus Stroman-type of a pitcher. Nothing is too straight, as Watts-Brown throws many two-seam fastballs with sliders and changeups mixed in. Many of his pitches move within the strike zone but not at an incredible velocity (90-92 mph, according to the broadcast).

When Watts-Brown missed his target, Missouri hitters made loud contact. Hence the seven base hits allowed in four innings. But when Watts-Brown moved up in the strike zone, attacking with his two-seamers and sliders, he had the most success racking up six strikeouts.

It’s early, and I look forward to watching Watts-Brown again on April 6th when Oklahoma State travels to face TCU. At this moment, I consider him more of a second-round talent.

Notable Performances

#1 Prospect - Dylan Crews vs. Central Michigan: 3-for-9, HR, 3 BB to 2 K

I admire Dylan Crews' barrel speed through the zone. His first home run of 2023 was not a cheapy as it traveled well beyond the 405-foot in center field. 

#9 Prospect - Paul Skenes vs. Central Michigan: 6 IP 3 H 0 R 1 BB 12 K

If you didn’t know who Paul Skenes was before the season started, better start now as he put on a show against Central Michigan. One of the few that surpassed 75 pitches, Skenes threw a total of 98 that got him through six innings just mowing down batters. 

#12 Prospect - Braden Taylor: 7-for-12; HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB to 3 K

TCU’s Braden Taylor provided the game-changing home run against Vanderbilt, then followed that up by reaching on base six times against Arkansas and another four times against Missouri. 

NCBWA Top 25 - Week of February 20, 2023

Games I’m Watching this Weekend

#16 Maryland vs. #5 Ole Miss - Friday, 4:00 PM CT - SEC Network+

An early chance to see two of the top college shortstops in this draft class: Ole Miss’s Jacob Gonzalez and Maryland’s Matt Shaw. 

Binghamton vs. #6 Wake Forest - Friday, 3:00 PM CT - ACC Network Extra

Hoping to see Wake Forest RHP Rhett Lowder start this weekend, but also keeping an eye on 3B Brock Wilken. He’s 2-for-12 to start the season (with six walks to five strikeouts) but both hits have been home runs. Also, an early look at 2024 MLB Draft eligible Nick Kurtz. He tormented Illinois opening weekend with four home runs.