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The Pittsburgh Pirates could go in one of several different directions with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, as each of the top five players in Prep Baseball Report’s new Midseason Draft Board Update is a strong candidate to go 1-1.

OF Dylan Crews’ combination of performance and potential make him far too valuable to be considered a money-saving option at No. 1. The Nationals will have plenty of names to consider with the No. 2 pick, including prep outfielders Max Clark and Walker Jenkins. However, it will be difficult for the club to pass over the idea of potentially ushering in the next Stephen Strasburg by selecting RHP Paul Skenes.

The Rangers selecting Jenkins with the No. 4 pick seems like a fit, even with pair of SEC standouts (OF Wyatt Langford and RHP Chase Dollander) still on the board. But with the Tigers’ recent success in developing 2019 first-rounder Riley Greene, the idea of similarly developing Jenkins could inspire Detroit to take him at No. 3 overall.

More items of note for the first and supplemental rounds:

• Seattle selects three times (Nos. 22, 29 & 30) inside the first 30 picks.
• OF/RHP Bryce Eldridge (James Madison HS, VA) is uber-intriguing for his dual potential, but the left-handed bat is why we have him going to Colorado at No. 9, given their recent successes with similar prospects.
• SS Colin Houck (Parkview HS, GA), a former Power 5 quarterback prospect, continues to rise, and we may be too low with him making it to No. 15.
• RHP Tanner Witt (Texas) is the biggest wild card in the Draft. Uninjured, he likely would have been featured in the top 10. So, expect his value to rise as the back half of the first round (and potentially beyond) comes around.
• Both the Mets (No. 32) and Dodgers (No. 36) do not pick until the supplemental round. However, both have drafted exceptionally well in the past and might use these late selections on the highest-upside prospects without considering risk.

2023 MLB Draft: Midseason Mock Draft

 

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