2023 MLB Draft Report: Final Mock Draft

We are posting our final mock draft an hour before the festivities begin. If you have been tracking other mock drafts, you’ll notice a trend of last minute intel that counters what was previously reported. It’s hard to tell at this stage what is a smoke screen or not as teams look to play the money game in an attempt to push talented prep prospects into the comp round. 

Who is going #1 and why?

Josh Nelson: I’m going with Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford as the Pittsburgh Pirates play the money game again. By saving $1.5 to $2.0 million, the Pirates can offer prep players more than the 22nd slot value at pick 42. Even though I like Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews more, Langford is an exceptional talent. He developed better plate discipline in 2023 raising his walk rate by 6.5 points (2022: 11.9%, 2023: 18.5%) while hitting 21 HR and 28 Doubles. While Langford is projected to be a left fielder, I believe he can be a future All-Star thanks to his hitting profile. 

James Fox: The rumors have been that Pittsburgh wants to cut a deal with the #1 pick. Langford is a happy medium between the two consensus top players in the class and the prep outfielders. Langford could be the favorite to go 1:1 in most years too. This pick also allows the Pirates to save some money and get another top-25 player with their pick at #42 in round two. One possible name for that selection is Massachusetts prep southpaw Thomas White. Langford fits the Pirates' current timeline and could be in the big leagues in time for a run at a division title during the 2025 season. 

Which prospect do you see getting drafted higher than expected?

Josh: Nobody is rising up draft boards like LSU Right-Handed Pitcher Ty Floyd, who is the 67-ranked prospect on the Sox Machine Top 100. His dominant College World Series performance has caught a lot of attention, the StatCast data for his four-seam fastball is impressive, and those two aspects are pushing Floyd from a late second-round target to late first-round. Despite his uneven 2023 campaign.

James: In a surprise, Nolan Schanuel has moved up boards and lands with the Cubs at #13 in my mock. Jacob Gonzalez is also a good player, but cracking the top five is a surprise. With Minnesota's draft model factoring in certainty and preferring college bats, they make the safe selection at #5 overall. Ty Floyd landing at #24 with the Atlanta Braves would've been seen as a surprise a month ago, but he could end up going higher than this, and the same can be said for Kent State's Joe Whitman landing in the early 20's as well. 

Which prospect are you expecting to slide? 

Josh: While working my mock draft emailing, texting, and DMing people, I just couldn’t get a firm grasp where prep catcher Blake Mitchell will land. He’s the 19th ranked prospect in our Top 100 but I think he slips into the comp rounds. Maybe to a team like Seattle who has back-to-back picks at 29 and 30. There are some rumblings that prep infielder Kevin McGonigle could be a tough signing and might honor his commitment to Auburn. 

James: In this exercise, I'm expecting Florida prep third baseman Aidan Miller and Texas prep catcher Blake Mitchell to fall out of round one and get paid down to a lower pick. Some might see Hurston Waldrep's fall to 19 as a surprise as well but he's going at the perfect time to develop his skill set.

2023 Final Mock Draft

15) Chicago White Sox Select . . .

Josh: Jacob Gonzalez, Shortstop, Ole Miss

I’m sticking with Ole Miss shortstop Jacob Gonzalez as he’s the best college hitter available. With how poorly Tim Anderson has been playing, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for the White Sox to add another quality shortstop to their system along with Colson Montgomery. Perhaps with Montgomery having better athleticism than Gonzalez, a move over to third base could be in the works.

What I like about Gonzalez is that I think the bat will play being a 50 contact / 50 power bat with sure hands and a good throwing arm to be an above-average major league shortstop. Gonzalez has also played on a National Championship team, and folks down in Oxford rave about his leadership skills. 

James: Arjun Nimmala, Shortstop, Strawberry Crest HS (Florida)

The White Sox have been linked to many college bats, but Mike Shirley loves prep players, and I believe he's making this pick. With Nimmala still on the board and Texas prep catcher Blake Mitchell as an option, I think the White Sox will decide to take a prep player for the third straight year in the first round.

Nimmala is only 17 years old and possesses plus raw power with a chance for more. He should remain at shortstop long-term as well. Nimmala was stellar on the showcase circuit last summer, and this is the best player available pick that fits recent trends for the White Sox front office and amateur scouting department. It's another home run swing but this time, in the middle of the first round.