ESPN releases final mock ahead of 2023 MLB Draft

The 2023 MLB Draft is fast approaching as teams rush to complete their research ahead of one of the biggest nights of the year in the sport. It’s a chance to draft a future franchise cornerstone, or, perhaps more likely, get your hopes up about a player who may never pan out. Either way, it’s a weekend of promise and excitement for all involved, whether it’s the players themselves, the coaches, front office people and most of all the fans.

This year, there’s a three-headed monster of SEC superstars leading the way, all of which participated in the recent College World Series championship, which was won by LSU. After them, there’s plenty of young high school prospects and other college standouts who could have very bright futures.

So take a look at ESPN’s full final mock draft ahead of the 2023 MLB draft:

1. Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU

Skenes and a certain other LSU superstar have long been the favorites to go No. 1 and No. 2 n the MLB Draft, especially after their terrific performances en route to bringing the Tigers a national championship. ESPN has the Pirates favoring the pitcher here and taking Skenes, who just won College World Series MVP.

Skenes has it all on the mound. He’s immense for a pitcher at 6-foot-6 and a hair under 250 pounds, has a slew of pitches to work with and can toss fastballs in the upper-90s well into his starts. Even if he’s not the first overall pick, it’s nearly impossible to imagine another pitcher going ahead of him.

2. Nationals: Dylan Crews, CF, LSU

Here the Nats are grabbing the other LSU star, the one who did his work in the batter’s box. Unlike Skenes, Crews won’t stand out from a regular joe for his physical stature, but he sure does stand out when it comes to hitting the baseball.

In 2023, his junior season, Crews slashed a .426 batting average, .567 on base percentage and a .713 slugging percentage. Sheesh, each of those numbers is more ridiculous than the last. You’re just not finding a more dominant collegiate hitter in this year’s cycle.

3. Tigers: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida

Here’s a slugger going No. 3 to Detroit. Landford may not have matched Dylan Crews batting average or on base percentage, but it’s his absurdly high .784 slugging percentage that makes him one of the very top draft prospects in this cycle.

Langford really sprayed the ball in 2023, hitting just 36 singles out of his 88 total hits on the year. He also hit 21 home runs, three triples and doubled 28 times. If he came up to bat and go decent contact on the ball, it’s a good chance he was going extra bases.

4. Rangers: Max Clark, CF, Franklin Community (Ind.) HS

MLB.com has bold proclamations for this Indiana boy. According to their profile of Clark, he’s “the best prospect to come out of Indiana since Bryan Bullington went No. 1 overall in 2002.” Bullington appeared in just 26 total MLB games, so Clark is hoping for loftier achievements.

But as a player, he’s a lethal lefty at the plate who leaves the ball sizzling after each at bat. He’s also got a skill that’s become a hot commodity of late: speed. He’ll be able to get on base and steal bags while providing rangy defense in the middle of the outfield.

5. Twins: Walker Jenkins, RF, South Brunswick (NC) HS

ESPN strongly believes the Skenes-Crews-Langford trio goes somewhere in the top-4, forcing the Rangers and Twins to look elsewhere. They think this pick is still wide open at the moment: “Everything seems to be on the table, but I’m still thinking right now that they won’t pass on one of the top five talents when faced with that decision,” wrote Kiley McDaniel.

Built like an ox at barely 18 years old, Jenkins can already hit for big league power and on the left side of the plate. Plus, he’s a capable outfielder. Obviously it’s a pick for down the road, but there’s not much to dislike about Jenkins at No. 5.

You can read through picks 6-70 right here:

ESPN MLB Mock Draft: Picks 6-70

6. Athletics: Jacob Gonzalez, IF, Ole Miss

7. Reds: Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest

8. Royals: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia

9. Rockies: Enrique Bradfield Jr., CF, Vanderbilt

10. Marlins: Brayden Taylor, IF, TCU

11. Angels: Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic

12. Diamondbacks: Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida

13. Cubs: Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest (FL) HS

14. Red Sox: Matt Shaw, 2B, Maryland

15. White Sox: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee

16. Giants: Walker Martin, SS, Eaton (Colo.) HS

17. Orioles: George Lombard Jr., SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.) HS

18. Brewers: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon

19. Rays: Colin Houck, 3B, Parkview (Ga.) HS

20. Blue Jays: Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami

21. Cardinals: Tommy Troy, 3B, Stanford

22. Mariners: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit (Ore.) HS

23. Guardians: Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn (Ohio) HS

24. Braves: Ty Floyd, RHP, LSU

25. Padres: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison (Va.) HS

26. Yankees: Sammy Stafura, SS, Walter Panas (N.Y.) HS

27. Phillies: Chase Davis, RF, Arizona

28. Astros: Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest

29. Mariners: Jonny Farmelo, CF, VA HS

30. Mariners: Joe Whitman, LHP, Kent State

31. Rays: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (Mass.) HS

32. Mets: Trent Caraway, SS, JSerra Catholic (Calif.) HS

33. Brewers: Dillon Head, CF, Homewood Flossmoor (Ill.) HS

34. Twins: Steven Echavarria, RHP, Millburn (N.J.) HS

35. Marlins: Tai Peete, SS, Trinity Christian (Ga.) HS

36. Dodgers: Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska

37. Tigers: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton (Texas) HS

38. Reds: Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell (Fla.) HS

39. Athletics: Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian (Fla.) HS

40. Nationals: Jack Hurley, CF, Virginia Tech

41. Athletics: Ralphy Velazquez, C, Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS

42. Pirates: Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner (Pa.) HS

43. Reds: Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia

44. Royals: Adrian Santana, SS, Doral Academy (Fla.) HS

45. Tigers: Brandon Sproat, RHP, Florida

46. Rockies: Kemp Alderman, RF, Ole Miss

47. Marlins: Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Oklahoma State

48. Diamondbacks: Drew Burress, CF, Houston County (Ga.) HS

49. Twins: Mac Horvath, 3B, North Carolina

50. Red Sox: Luke Keaschall, 2B, Arizona State

51. White Sox: Blake Wolters, RHP, Mahomet Seymour (Ill.) HS

52. Giants: Colton Ledbetter, RF, Mississippi State

53. Orioles: Josh Knoth, RHP, Patchogue-Medford (N.Y.) HS

54. Brewers: Cole Carrigg, C, San Diego State

55. Rays: Josh Rivera, SS, Florida

56. Mets: Jace Bohrofen, RF, Arkansas

57. Mariners: Cade Kuehler, RHP, Campbell

58. Guardians: Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State

59. Braves: Kyle Karros, 3B, UCLA

60. Dodgers: Alex Clemmey, LHP, Bishop Hendricken (R.I.) HS

61. Astros: Cameron Johnson, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.) HS

62. Guardians: Kendall George, CF, Atascocita (Texas) HS

63. Orioles: Caden Sorrell, CF, Marcus (Texas) HS

64. Diamondbacks: Kiefer Lord, RHP, Washington

65. Rockies: LuJames Groover, 3B, NC State

66. Royals: Caden Grice, LHP/RF, Clemson

67. Pirates: Michael Carico, C, Davidson

68. Cubs: Jackson Baumeister, RHP, Florida State

69. Giants: Drue Hackenberg, RHP, Virginia Tech

70. Braves: Carson Roccaforte, CF, Louisiana Lafayette

There you have it, straight from ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. Overall, his MLB Draft mock-up has a healthy mix of college players and high school prospects on the list, including a slew of guys who really made a name for themselves on the big stage during the NCAA Tournament last month. Now, let’s see how the real thing unfolds.