JUCO talent was well represented in the 2022 MLB Draft, with ten players selected in the top ten rounds and a total of 33 earning selections during the three-day event. The first three names to come 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) – were also PBR JUCO’s top-three-ranked prospects heading into the season.

The 2023 JUCO class does not feature the same type of Day One prospects, but it's still another talented group, led by TCU commit Kyle Carr. 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. For the season Carr struck out 111 in 78 innings to go along with a 2.31 ERA.

Power left-hander Christian Oppor (Gulf Coast, FL) sits at No. 2. His fastball velocity continues to rise, now touching the upper-90s. With 38 walks in 53 innings this spring his control is a work-in-progress, but there's lightning in his left arm.

Rounding out the top five are three power-armed right-handers. Another winter semester transfer, Florida Southwestern right-hander Marty Gair allowed just 22 hits in 36 innings with 52 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA. He possesses an upper-90s fastball with good ride and a mid-70s curve thrown from a high slot. Gavin Adams (Indian River, FL) is next on the board at No. 4. He will also run it up to the plate in the upper-90s, as does UConn commit No. 5 Ryan Birchard (Niagara County, NY) who is currently touching 97+ in the MLB Draft League.

Data Spotlight: Ryan Birchard

Fastball:
95.6 mph (T97.5)
2400 rpm (T2614)
20" IVB / 9.3" HB
72.4% Strike%

Curveball:
78.8 mph / 2877 rpm (T2940)
-19.4" IVB / -10.2" HB

Slider:
84.4 mph / 2500+ rpm
-11.9" HB (T -15")

50% GB% | 63.2 mph EV avg@RyanBirchard4 | @TrentonThunder pic.twitter.com/UvcLeL8L0X

— MLB Draft League Data (@draftleaguedata) June 13, 2023

 

2023 Draft Top 50 JUCO Prospects