As expected, the 2023 JUCO class did not feature the same type of Day One prospects as 2022 when  three names came off the board – Chipola (FL) 3B Cam Collier (1st round, Reds), Crowder (MO) RHP Jacob Misiorowski (2nd, Brewers) and Northwest Florida St. RHP Jake Madden (4th, Angels). That trio was also PBR JUCO’s top-three-ranked prospects heading into the season.

It was a similar result this year as we nailed the top two picks and three of the top five, but none were selected during Day One. However, Day Two saw eight JUCO prospects selected in rounds 3-10 led by our top-rated prospect Kyle Carr in the 3rd round to the Yankees. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound left-hander transferred from U San Diego to Palomar (CA) over the winter break and impressed scouts with a low-90s fastball and sharp breaking curve ball.

Power left-hander Christian Oppor (Gulf Coast, FL), our second-rated prospect was chosen second among all JUCO picks, going in the 5th round to the White Sox.

MLB Draft League standout Ryan Birchard (Niagara County, NY) was the third JUCO prospect chosen. He ranked fifth in our final rankings and was selected in the 5th round by the Brewers.

Overall on Day Two, eight JUCO prospects were chosen. Onto Day Three where 36 additional bandits were selected. The 14th, 15th and 18th rounds were a popular stop on the JUCO route as five, two-year college prospects were selected in each of those rounds.

Of all MLB clubs, the Rangers had the strongest presence, selecting five JUCO prospects while the White Sox checked in with four.

 

2023 Drafted JUCO Prospects