UPDATED RESEARCH - Mack's Mock Pick: 1.13 - SS - Jacob Wilson

 

Jacob Wilson 

SS          Grand Canyon 

2022 GC stat line - 59-G, 246-AB, .358, 1.002-OPS, 12-HR

 

10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 - 

7. Jacob Wilson

Shortstop, Grand Canyon 

Jacob Wilson has been one of the most accomplished, mature hitters in the country during his stay at GCU. He's got a prolific eye at the plate with an extremely advanced approach and a grand willingness to use the whole field. Wilson never strikes out. Like, ever. In 2022, he took 25 free passes, punching out just seven times. 

Wilson showcases 40-grade power but many believe he'll grow into fringe-average pop in the pros. He's an average defender at shortstop and could comfortably move to third base or second base. Elite instincts on the field and makeup off the field, Wilson checks a ton of boxes and is a very popular figure among his peers and evaluators.

 

9-19-22 - Top 20 college prospects for '23 Draft -

https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/top-college-prospects-for-2023-mlb-draft.html - 

5. Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon 

The son of former big leaguer Jack Wilson, Jacob led NCAA Division I in strikeout rate (3 percent) while batting .358/.418/.585 last spring, then was the best hitter on the U.S. collegiate national team. He's a fundamentally sound hitter and defender with average speed and solid strength. He offers a higher floor but less ceiling than Gonzalez.

 

9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg - 

7. Washington Nationals

Jacob Wilson, Infield, Grand Canyon 

If the Athletics are disappointed with the No. 6 overall pick, the Nationals would be downright upset over this outcome. The three-worst teams each have an 81 percent chance of landing a pick in the top six. Getting the seventh pick would sting. Still, a lot of good players in this class and Wilson is one of them. 

The Nationals are absolutely loaded and Wilson would be the cherry on top. This is probably the best hit tool in the class with absurd contact rates and fringy power that he gets to with an efficient swing plane. Wilson has a shot to play shortstop, but could shift to left field or second base as a pro. An infield featuring Wilson, Brady House and CJ Abrams would be awfully fun. 

 

8-3-2022 -

Ranking the Top 30 2023 MLB Draft Prospects - 

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/insight/baseball/mlb/20220803-2023-mlb-mock-draft-ranking-the-top-30-2023-mlb-draft-prospects - 

9. Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon 

7-28-22 -

2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 150 PROSPECTS -

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects - 

10. Jacob Wilson

Shortstop, Grand Canyon 

Jacob Wilson has been one of the most accomplished, mature hitters in the entire country during his stay at GCU. He's got a prolific eye at the plate with an extremely advanced approach and a grand willingness to use the whole field. Wilson showcases fringe average power but many believe he'll grow into solid average pop in the pros. 

He's an average defender at shortstop and could comfortably move to third base or second base. Elite instincts on the field and makeup off the field, Wilson checks a ton of boxes and is a very popular figure among his peers and evaluators.

 

7-20-2022 -

2023 MLB Draft mock

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-draft-mock - 

18. Twins: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon 

Wilson’s father, Jack, played 12 years in the big leagues and will now be an assistant coach at Grand Canyon. Not that the younger Wilson needs help after hitting .358/.418/.585 as a sophomore, then performing on the Cape and going 4-for-11 with USA Baseball.

Mack - 

Wilson seems to have it all, both offensively and defensively.

The only question is would he have put up these numbers against top competition.

Favorite Mets games of 2022 series: Paul Articulates on May 19th

The Mets had come out of their early schedule against primarily NL Eastern Division rivals in good shape with a 22-11 record, and were about to face some other competitive teams from the rest of the league with two home series against the Mariners and the Cardinals.  The Mariners were an up-and-coming AL team that featured exiting rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez and the Cards are a perennial favorite to make the playoffs with a long pedigree of success.

The Seattle series did not go so well, with former Met Paul Sewald showing his old team what he was capable of by getting the win in the first game and then Carlos Carrasco and Calvin Shreve got lit up in the third game as the Mets dropped their first series of 2022 after going 10-0-1 in their prior eleven.  

In came the formidable Cardinals, who the Mets had found hard to beat in recent years.  After a rainout and a doubleheader split the Mets won game 3 of the series with a big five run 8th to seal the win on an otherwise grim day that saw Max Scherzer exit with an oblique injury.  Now came the final game of the series and an opportunity to take a series win against their central division nemesis.

Chris Bassitt made the start for New York against Dakota Hudson. The Mets got off to a quick start with a 2-0 first inning lead, making it the 8th time in 9 games that they scored in the first inning.  It wasn’t going to be easy, as the Cards came back with homers in the 2nd and 3rd to tie it, then Paul Goldschmidt continued his hot series with a run scoring double to give the Cards a 3-2 lead in the 5th.

The Mets showed us something in the bottom of the inning that they did regularly during a stellar season – they came right back from adversity by putting runs of their own up and retaking the lead.  It was one of those innings with multiple hits and productive outs, with three runs scoring on a grounder to the right side and a bases-loaded single.  

The latter came from Jeff McNeil, who was hitting over .400 with RISP at that point.  Unfortunately St. Louis plated runs in the 7th and 9th to tie it, with the tying run scoring on a ground ball that was booted by Eduardo Escobar although it was later ruled an infield hit plus an error allowing a runner to advance. This game would go to extra innings.

The Cardinals scored a run in the top of the 10th on a double play grounder to retake the lead, putting the Mets backs against the wall if they wanted to win the series.  Francisco Lindor had made the last out in the 9th, so he began the NY 10th on second base with Pete Alonso at the plate.  

On Alonso’s second pitch, he launched a 447 foot no-doubter deep into the second deck in left field.  The 28,801 fans in attendance erupted as the Mets celebrated a winning home stand, a winning series against a tough rival, and another chapter in the resilient Mets’ season.

This was one of my favorite games because it showcased some of the traits that made the Mets successful all year and it legitimized the team as a threat by beating a good team that always seems to have the upper hand against them.  The Mets would go on to win the 2022 season series against the Cards 5 games to 2; their first series win over St. Louis since 2014.  

The other encouraging sign coming out of this game was that they showed no let-down after the second of their two aces had gone down to injury on the prior day.  They were now 26-14 on the season and 3-0 in extra innings.  They had won 11 of 13 series and held the lead in the toughest division in the NL.  There was a lot of season to play, but these Mets were looking better than anyone they had faced.

I remember these days fondly, because each game, each series was fun to watch and continued to build a sense that they were going to have one heckuva season.  This particular game was important because of who they beat.  There would be many more memorable games during the season, including another one against this same Cardinals team.  If you had a favorite, mention it in the comments and one of Mack’s writers will take it on.

Reese Kaplan -- Chapter Three (I Think) in the Overseas Move

As many of you know I've moved overseas to Malaysia to begin an early retirement after many years of managing, teaching and implementing a wide variety of technologies.  

As any baseball skipper will tell you, it's not your job to hit the home runs or strike out the batters.  However, it is your job to select the right people, then motivate them properly to do what they do best.  Sometimes you succeed.  Sometimes you don't.  

The first period of ending regular day-to-day work was a bit odd without a full agenda of things to do, but then the seemingly bizarre fantasy move to the other side of the world brought on enough tasks to keep my heretofore (and sometimes regarded as evil) brain plenty busy.

While the move itself went off pretty much without a hitch, it took awhile for things here to begin to feel more normal.  After a few months we developed a series of places to go shopping, became regulars at some nearby restaurants and learned that just because supermarkets stocked certain things in the USA, that didn't necessarily mean they would be available in Malaysia.  

It works both ways, of course.  In the USA there aren't multiple stacks alongside the raw fish or produce on display with stacks of dried anchovies adorned with plastic bags and plastic mesh baskets to take home for cooking.  

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago the final pieces started falling into place when 33 boxes arrived via cargo ship from El Paso to New York and eventually to Port Klang near Kuala Lumpur.  I got informed a truck would be bringing them to where we live about 200+ kms from here.  We were told they would not take them upstairs and I live on the third floor, so I was prepared for a long and tiring day of lugging heavy boxes.  

When they arrived, the security guard informed me and I gave the okay for them to enter.  I went down to greet them and perhaps it was my limited amount of hair that is quite gray suggested I was more frail and less capable than most of their delivery customers.  

Despite trying to help in the unloading, they waved me off and little by little two small guys carried everything upstairs and deposited them on my large front terrace.  My muscle aches were limited to the few feet dragging them inside and figuring out where to stash them far away from the inquiring and mischievous little puppy we brought into our home a few weeks ago.

While it was great to see more clothing, spare medical stuff and the like, it was the arrival of art that truly helped make these blanks walls appear like a canvas in need of some color.  We saved 19 paintings that were already framed and figured out where to make them reside.  Then there were some large silk embroideries that had never been on display along with some papyrus paintings.  

We took them all to a frame shop we've been using and they did a terrific job making them look like the works of art they really are.  I also found a series of ten paper cut works I'd never displayed which I turned over to the same shop for matting and framing where they will line the upper segment of wall above the master bedroom window that looks out on the pond and golf course.

In addition to the mountain of sliced cardboard was a heavy wooden crate built by an El Paso art gallery who not only boxed the paintings but also created a way to ship some very heavy custom sculptures so that they would arrive without damaged.  Putting the two bronze works of a dog and a fox were like greeting old friends, and the ceramic sculpture of a bear gave a great pop of color to the front room being used as a private study.

All of this unboxing and organizing was really just a prelude to what was really missing here.  I found my yearbooks from 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1986, as well as an old Life magazine featuring the Mets.  There were other photos that were framed and unboxed, including one with Tom Seaver, Tug McGraw and Yogi Berra, an autographed picture of Mookie Wilson running to first where also autographed Bill Buckner was forever haunted by Vin Scully announcing "It gets by Buckner!" to proclaim that the Mets had completed the improbable come-from-behind in Game 6 of the World Series.  

The one unframed photo and magazines are at the frame shop this week to bring back and begin to make my home office feel way more real.  

By odd chance we were wandering an upscale mall where there is a chain store called Daiso that is a slight step up from the typical Dollartree or 99 Cent stores that proliferate in the USA.  

Daiso charges slightly more (about $1.25 in US currency) as a flat rate for everything but there is often quite a bit more style and uniqueness to what they have to offer. I'd gone and ordered individual plastic cubes to display my collection of autographed baseballs with the intention of putting them on top of the custom made wooden case I had built to display the intricate handles and engraved Damascus steel blades of my remaining pocket knife collection.  

Unfortunately the cubes would sit on top but could be dislodged by movement of the glass doors when the case was opened.  Enter Daiso where they had a curved flip-up display case which even showed on the label picture a pair of baseballs on display.  

Whether or not they would work instead of the recently purchased cubes was still up in the air until I reached out for my ever present tape measure to get an idea.  I knew the knife case was forty inches long and these cases were just a hair under 7 inches, so 5 of them would fit easily across the width.  Then I saw there was a narrow flat panel on the bottom of each and the plastic shape immediately rolled uphill from there to complete the display case's shape.  The flat portion was just about 2 inches wide, so I knew they would fit easily.  

I bought five of them and when I got home I discovered that the five would fit between the two brackets mounted to the far ends of the case for hanging it on the wall.  The baseballs are very important to me and will complete a very different kind of diamond memories than what brides enjoy.  

None of the sports stuff is in place yet but the decorating should begin next weekend when I retrieve the works in progress from the frame shop.  There is still a lot of drilling into the concrete-over-brick walls to insert plastic holders for the screws that will provide the means of hanging the heavier frames.  

The lighter weight pictures like the paper cuttings with their frames will likely get affixed with self-stick gel pads and hooks.   We got the method from a firm hired to hang the 19 paintings who charged us roughly $4.25 each to drill the holes, hang the pictures, level them and vacuum up the residue.  

While this move has separated me from friends and family for in-person visits, an IP telephone and online video calling services like WhatsApp make it much easier to stay in touch than I'd originally expected.  Of course, we all must grip with the 12 hours difference in time zones between here and the east coast of the USA, but like enjoying my breakfast while watching Mets games on MLB.TV it is something you simply adapt to accepting.  

Mack - Prospect Report

10-16-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: an early look at the ACC

http://dugoutedgebaseball.blogspot.com/2022/10/2023-mlb-draft-early-look-at-acc.html?m=1&s=03 - 

11. RHP Jackson Baumeister, Florida State.

Bat: R. Throw: R. 6'4", 225 lbs. Born 7/10/2002. Hometown: Jacksonville, FL.

2022: 1-2, 5.60 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 41/20 K/BB in 27.1 innings.

Jackson Baumeister is yet another big name high school prospect who made it to campus. He had a chance to go in the top three rounds in 2021 and ended up in Tallahassee instead, but unlike Alex Mooney, he wasn't an immediate contributor. 

Rather, he got buried in an FSU pitching staff that proved to be the deepest in the conference, making seventeen relief appearances and two late-season midweek starts, but he'll have a chance to step into a much larger role in 2023 after the entire weekend rotation left either for pro ball or the transfer portal. 

Baumeister spent his summer on the Cape and threw nearly as many innings there (21) as he did all season long at FSU (27.1), and showed well with a 4.28 ERA and a 30/10 strikeout to walk ratio. He's an excellent athlete that gets down the mound well with a fluid delivery, getting good extension out front with a low release point that helps his stuff play up. 

The fastball sits in the low to mid 90's and tops out around 96 with riding action, while a sharp downer curveball has a chance to be his best pitch if he can add a little more power. The Jacksonville native is also working on an improving changeup, though it's still inconsistent to this point and he can slow his arm down at times. 

Below average command kept him from clawing through that FSU depth chart and earning innings last year, but given his athleticism and repeatable delivery, he has every chance to develop average command in time. If he does, he's a legitimate starting pitching prospect, but he'll need to build up some track record in Tallahassee this year to crack the top two rounds. 

 

10-5-22 - Jupiter Uncommitted Gems: Part 2 - https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21312&s=03 - 

Tyler Neises, 1B, Rocky Face, Ga.

Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

East Cobb Yankees 

Neises is a big power-hitting left-handed bat at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds that can play both corner spots in the infield. A primary right-handed first baseman that has the athleticism with 6.96 speed and arm strength to easily move across the diamond with versatility on the defensive side. His left-handed bat will carry him as he has recorded 14 extra-base hits on the summer in just over 80 at-bats. 

A versatile athlete with size and strength that can play multiple spots on the diamond and provide some pop to a lineup. 

 

9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg - 

19. San Diego Padres

Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian 

The Padres and limitless upside guys seem like a match made in heaven. Soto might have the most impressive arm talent in the 2023 class, up to 97 with elite athleticism. He features a plus changeup and a slider that is rapidly becoming a weapon. Soto also checks the model box, being just 17 years old on draft day. This pairing feels like a slam dunk. 

 

10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 - 

6. Walker Jenkins

Outfield, South Brunswick 

Jenkins is long, lean, athletic, and projectable at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, showcasing some of the best bat speed and power in the class. He’s comfortably a plus runner with a huge arm that will play at any outfield spot. He's performed at every stop along the amateur circuit and earned a spot on Team USA 18u as an underclassman. 

This is one of the premier bats in the 2023 class, even if he does physically mature into a corner role when it's all said and done. We’re talking about an thunderous bat that should hit for average and power. There are skeptics who worry about a myriad of injuries that have plagued Jenkins during his prep career. Jenkins has missed time with hip issues, hamstring issues and a broken hamate bone, something teams will need to consider.

 

Mack - Prospect Report

10-18-22 - https://baseballprospectjournal.com/matt-shaw-prioritizing-development-team/ - 

Matt Shaw is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound shortstop with a well-balanced toolset. The right-handed hitter has simple mechanics and a short swing that allows him to drive the ball into the gaps. 

He hits for average and power and shows solid plate discipline. Besides his ability at the plate, Shaw possesses plenty of speed and projects to steal double-digit bases in pro ball.

 

10-16-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: an early look at the ACC

http://dugoutedgebaseball.blogspot.com/2022/10/2023-mlb-draft-early-look-at-acc.html?m=1&s=03 - 

Just Missed: Catcher Cooper Ingle (Clemson) was the first player off the list after slashing .351/.449/.526 with eight home runs for the Tigers last year and is one of my favorite players in the conference. He utilizes a short, slasher-type swing focused on lashing line drives around the field, but he can turn on one if he needs to and could be a fun prospect to develop. 

An interesting .252/.401/.319 run through the Cape Cod League with more walks (30) than strikeouts (28) highlighted his exceptional feel for hitting and also called into question somewhat his ability to create impact with wood bats. 

 

10-5-22 - Jupiter Uncommitted Gems: Part 2 - https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21312&s=03 - 

Brayden May, LHP, Mableton, Ga.

Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 50

5 Star National- Black 

A left-handed pitcher up to 90 mph with a breaking ball in the mid-70s and changeup with fade to attack both righties and lefties. Controlling the strike zone at a more efficient rate this year as he gains strength in his lower half. May looks to be making the jump as he has cut down his walk rate and has always been a strikeout pitcher who can execute a quality put away pitch in big situations. 

-Jason Phillips 

 

9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg - 

21. Toronto Blue Jays

Ross Dunn, LHP, Arizona State 

The Blue Jays have been all over the map in recent drafts. 2022 was a prep-heavy experience so maybe they go back to the college well in 2023. Dunn figures to headline the Sun Devils weekend rotation in 2023 following his transfer out of Florida State. He’s been up to 96 with a deceptive fastball and a gnarly slider that tunnels his heat very well. This is where a run on college arms could really begin. 

 

10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 - 

Hurston Waldrep

Right-Handed Pitcher, Florida 

Waldrep transferred out of Southern Miss to Florida for his junior year after some impressive undergrad campaigns. The fastball gets up to 99 with immense hop at the top of the zone and true bat-missing qualities. The slider is thrown firm and short with late two-plane tilt that Waldrep gets hitters to chase regularly. 

The curveball may have the most potential of all his secondaries, but landing it for strikes consistently has come and gone. He's also flashed an above average splitter, though it's inconsistent both in shape and execution. Waldrep has a super-athletic frame with well-proportioned strength and a wicked quick arm. He's a true power pitcher with a bulldog mentality on the bump. 

 

10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 - 

10. Rhett Lowder

Right-Handed Pitcher, Wake Forest 

The reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, Lowder has some of the best pitchability in the entire class. He's been into the mid-90's with the fastball, sitting in the low-90's later into starts with running life, mixing it with a good slider in the low-80's and a diabolical change-up with late parachute and fading life out of the zone in the mid-80's. 

It’s one of the best changeups in the class and comfortably projects plus. He can pitch backwards off the slider and change-up with ease and has good command and feel of his entire arsenal. 

Mack - Prospect Report

10-16-22 - 2023 MLB Draft: an early look at the ACC

http://dugoutedgebaseball.blogspot.com/2022/10/2023-mlb-draft-early-look-at-acc.html?m=1&s=03 - 

5. RHP Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest.

Bat: R. Throw: R. 6'2", 200 lbs. Born 3/8/2002. Hometown: Albemarle, NC.

2022: 11-3, 3.09 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 105/26 K/BB in 99.1 innings.

It's all about the bats in this conference, but Rhett Lowder has so far emerged as the best arm in the prestigious league. He jumped right into the rotation as a freshman and broke out as a sophomore, striking out over one hundred batters along the way. 

There is no one plus attribute here, but Lowder does a little bit of everything well. His fastball sits in the low to mid 90's and can get up to 97 at his best, while his slider and changeup both look consistently above average to give him three big league pitches. He commands everything well to both sides of the plate, effectively navigating the loaded lineups of the ACC by executing where he needed to. 

That combination of pitchability and stuff is hard to find at times, and the North Carolina native also comes with some projection in a skinny 6'2" frame. Most pitchers nowadays like to identify as a Max Scherzer-esque "psychopath" or a Landon Sims-like "bulldog" on the mound, but Lowder doesn't really fit either of those descriptions. 

An artist in his spare time (literally, he creates oil paintings), he's quiet and composed on the mound and doesn't let much rattle him. It's the full package as a starting pitcher, one that has a very good chance to wind up in the middle of a big league rotation. 

 

10-5-22 - Jupiter Uncommitted Gems: Part 2 - https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=21312&s=03 - 

Kyle Chatham, OF, Marietta, Ga.

Class of 2023 | PG Rank: 500

643 DP Baseball Academy 

Chatham is an athletic outfielder with 6.68 speed and the actions and hands to play on the dirt up the middle. A grinder at the plate that doesn’t give away at-bats and always seems to find the barrel. Fundamental actions across the board and consummate teammate that does whatever he needs to do to help the team win. 

 

7-28-22 - Top Third Basemen In 2023 Draft -

https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects - 

117 3B

Mike Boeve

Nebraska

One of the more accomplished pure hitters in college baseball, Boeve has a keen eye at the plate and the bat to ball skills that are almost assured to transfer up to the next level. He was also one of the more consistent hitters on the Cape in 2022. 

Boeve has below average, maybe fringe average power depending on who you ask, but he does has a strong frame that some feel could tap into more juice once player development gets their hands on him. He's largely average at third base with a fringy arm. He may end up in left field, but you're buying the bat here, and it may be a plus hit tool. 

 

9-7-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft-n78w7-st9r4-wa35p-2n5ls-8addg - 

13. Arizona Diamondbacks

Kevin McGonigle, Infield, Monsignor Bonner 

The Diamondbacks have been no stranger to high upside preps and selecting in the thirteen slot should provide them some intriguing options. McGonigle arguably has the best present hit tool and polish in the class with a second base future profile. He’s a twitchy kid with remarkable barrel control and the ability to impact the game in every facet. 

 

9-19-22 - Top 20 college prospects for '23 Draft -

https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/top-college-prospects-for-2023-mlb-draft.html - 

16. Brandon Sproat, RHP, Florida 

The highest unsigned player in the 2019 Draft (seventh round, Rangers), Sproat boosted his stock by allowing just seven earned runs in his final six starts last spring while pushing his fastball to 99 mph and his slider to 91. The Mets took him in the third round without discussing financial parameters, and he turned them down to try to go higher in 2023. 

He also can miss bats with a low-80s curveball and mid-80s changeup, and if he can maintain the improved control and command he showed down the stretch, he could fit in the first round.

 

10-19-22 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03 - 

2023 MLB DRAFT - TOP 200 PROSPECTS - 

1. Chase Dollander

Right-Handed Pitcher, Tennessee 

Dollander is the real deal. It's a buttery delivery with a low-launch, three-quarter arm slot and electric arm speed. Some evaluators have compared the way he moves to Jacob deGrom. The fastball eats. It’s got ride, run and immense deception. He can run it up to 99 mph and he'll hold mid-90's throughout his outings. 

Dollander mixes in a bevy of pitches, but it's his tight-spinning, sweeping slider that gets whiffs. Some scouts project it double-plus and the best breaking ball in the class. Dollander offers a big, high-70's curveball with huge sweep, though he's hardly had to use it. 

He'll also show the occasional changeup, but it's largely tertiary at this point. As if the pure stuff wasn't enough, Dollander has premium command, pitch-ability, athleticism and polish. Pretty much the complete package and the argument can be made he's the best college pitching prospect in over a decade.

 

Mack - Five Starters That May Be Available at 1.32

 

 Yes, it’s early, but here is where the Mets stand right now. 

The Mets pick at 1.32. 

Five pitchers that, right now, looks to be in that range (research by Prospect Live) are:

 

RHP Juaron Watts-Brown Oklahoma State 

"JWB" broke out in his first full season at Long Beach State, showing off his tantalizing skillset and upside as a starter. He transferred to Oklahoma State for 2023. He features a highly projectable frame with long limbs and a loose and easy arm action. His entire operation is smooth and effortless, boding well for a future starting role. 

He has feel for a standard four-pitch mix all with distinct shape. His fastball has big ride while averaging around seven feet of extension from a low launch. Both of his breaking balls have distinct shape, one being a tight slider, the other a hammer 11/5 curveball. 

The slider is nasty with fantastic tunnel off the fastball and sharp, late break. Watts-Brown has been up into the upper-90s and will routinely sits in the low-to-mid 90s during his starts. 

There's a lot of reasons to buy this arm in July and scouts have taken notice.

 

LHP Ross Dunn Arizona State 

A Florida State transfer, Dunn features a low-to-mid 90s fastball, up to 96 with a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup. It's a super-projectable lefty with a big, strong body and a loose arm action and operation on that mound that certainly points to a future starter at the next level. 

Dunn does a great job utilizing his lower half, sinking into his glutes and exploding to the plate. There's some deception is his delivery that really allows the slider to play up too. It's the sort of mechanism that should lend well toward performing at the next level.

 

RHP Teddy McGraw Wake Forest 

McGraw doesn't have the prototype size of some of his peers, but his sublime feel for a 4-pitch mix has evaluators drooling. He offers a four-seam and a two-seam fastball, the latter being more consistent, though McGraw showed a willingness to elevate the four-seamer on the Cape last summer. 

Given his low release and mid-90s velo, there's definitive swing-and-miss upside if he can find consistency up there. McGraw has a high-spin slider that's exceeded 3000 rpm in the past, though more comfortably lands in the 2800-range. It's a two-plane sweeper with impressive depth and a bat-missing track record. The changeup shows promise too with feel for pronation. 

McGraw holds his velocity and stuff deep into his outings too, something not everyone on this list can necessarily claim.

 

RHP Jackson Baumeister Florida State 

Jackson Baumeister really burst onto the scene during his senior year of high school. Once considered a premier catching prospect, his future is now without a doubt on the bump. It's a premier body with long levers, feel for tempo, as well as balance and fluidity. 

This is how you build a starting pitcher. He's been up to 97, but more commonly sits 93-94 with two wicked breaking balls, the slider being the better of his two benders. He's also got a changeup. 

There's a ton of projection on Baumeister and it's an arm with very little mileage on it. He'll get his first taste of college ball in 2022 where he figures to get some opportunities to start baked into a loaded Florida State rotation.

 

RHP Carson Montgomery Florida State 

Montgomery has been a first round talent since the 2020 draft and some scouts have gone on record regretting not pushing harder for their team to dole out the cash necessary to land the talented righty. It might be the best breaking ball in the class right now, a slider into the mid-80s with strong spin rates, and serious feel for two-plane break. 

The result is opposing hitters swinging through air nearly two-thirds of their hacks. Montgomery can get into the upper-90s with the fastball, though he's generally a few ticks lower than that. It's not a bat-missing fastball and he'll need to continue working on developing consistent shape with the heater. Still, given the velocity, the floor of the pitch, especially at the college level, it's reasonably high. 

There's some feel for a pretty darn good changeup in there too. Montgomery could be the complete package and projects to fit comfortably inside the first round.

New Prospect Live Mock Draft - Projected Mets Pick At 1.32

 

Prospect Live (https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022/1/15/2023-mlb-draft-prospects-fx4td?s=03) came out with their latest mock draft on October 19^th. 

The Mets were dropped ten slots to 1.32 due to their being over the luxury tax in 2022. This is the price of signing players like Max and Marte, and fans need to get used to this happening under the ownership of Steve Cohen. 

As for this mock draft and the 1.32 pick, they picked: 

32         OF

Dillon Head

Homewood Flossmoor

A superb athlete with premium speed, Head's a top prospect in a loaded Midwest 2023 draft class. He repeats an effortless left-handed stroke with ease and rhythm, repeating line drive contact to all fields at an advanced rate. Head uses his speed to his advantage and consistently plays with a high motor, always busting it out of the box with double-plus run times down the line. 

He's a true asset defensively in the outfield, darting out of his set and comfortably covering plenty of ground to both gaps. Committed to Clemson, Head projects as a top-of-the-order type at the next level with valuable defense at a premium position.

 

Mack - 

Head would be a great pick. He is a great prep bat with centerfield skills. And, Clemson should not be a hard commit.

Can’t wait for the NY Post headline on this pick.

Mack - The Top 10 Catchers in the 2023 Draft - RIGHT NOW

Let me say this right up front. 

Baseball just doesn’t develop enough great catchers. Most draft have three at the most.  Really two. This one, Blake Mitchell. 

There is a chance more will develop. My money is on Zion Rose. We’ll see after this season. 

For now, here’s your top 10:

1. Blake Mitchell 

Mitchell is an intriguing two-way player who is currently playing for Team USA. Scouts tend to prefer him behind the plate, where he has the chance to be an offensive force at a premium position. The plus arm that fires 95 mph fastballs from the mound works back there, too.

 

2. Corey Collins 

There were rumors Collins and a big league organization had a deal during the 2020 draft, but those claims went unsubstantiated, and that's a good thing for Collins and the Georgia Bulldogs. After a big freshman year at the plate and some promising athleticism behind the dish, scouts see a power-hitting lefty stick with enough defensive value to either platoon at catcher or find his at-bats elsewhere on the field. 

This is at least above average raw power, maybe more, with some feel for the strike zone. Punch outs were a bit of an issue during his freshman campaign, but not so much so that scouts think it'll be a long-term crutch. Collins has a definitive up-arrow next to his name and is a must-watch power-bat in the SEC.

 

3. Kyle Teel 

The best college catcher, Teel is extremely athletic for the position, possesses well above-average arm strength and could develop into a plus receiver. Whether he goes in the first round depends on his offensive production after he batted .276/.402/.439 last spring and struggled at the plate in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA.

 

4. Michael Carico 

Carico is one of the more athletic catchers you will find in this class. He demonstrates the ability to make a lot of contact and drive the ball over the fence to all fields. Its a short compact stroke with plenty of bat speed which allows Carico to tap into his power frequency. He also demonstrates a strong understanding of the strike zone with a distinct eye at the plate. He is one of the more athletic catchers in the class, as his athleticism plays well from behind the plate.

 

5. Campbell Smithwick 

Smithwick, another young-for-the-class bat, is lauded for his approach at the plate and a swing that is balanced and stable beyond his years. He's shown a willingness to go to all-fields, hitting both velocity and spin with authority. Most of his power is to the pull-side, showcasing some organic loft and extension when he can get out in front. Smithwick has athleticism and above average tools at the plate with a prototype body that should lend well toward the Oxford product stick behind the plate.

 

6. Gavin Grahovic 

One of the better hitters on the West Coast, Grahovac has an all-fields approach and an willingness to take velocity the other way. He's got a strong frame with present power. The bat carries here as many evaluators think he has a fringy shot at sticking behind the plate, but the pure athlete and runner will fit completely fine in a corner outfield role.

 

7. Jack Bulger 

Bulger was a big time power hitting catcher as a prep and took that thump to Nashville where he immediately became an offensive force, cycling between catcher and designated hitter for the Commodores as a 19-year-old. Bulger is solid across the board. He stays in the zone, makes a ton of contact, hits the ball as hard as anyone and works patient at-bats. The only question remaining is where he fits on the field. 

He's a really thick, boxy build with a big arm behind the plate. It's fringy athleticism, but he's a heady player behind the plate who does a pretty good job holding the runners. If Bulger proves athletic enough to stick behind the plate, it's a potential first round talent. If he's forced to move to first base or permanent DH, there will be far more pressure on the bat.

 

 8. Cooper Ingle 

One of the most patient, polished hitters in the country, Ingle is a player development dream with a keen eye at the plate and budding exit velocities when he's ready to pull the trigger. Mostly a slasher, gap-to-gap type of hitter now, Ingle has flashed average raw power and could eventually run into double-digit homers as a professional. 

For now, he's going to provide teams an excellent plate appearance, peppering the field line to line. Ingle needs to continue to get stronger to improve his arm strength behind the plate, but he's a good athlete back there and projects at worst a fringe-average backstop as a pro.

 

9. Luke Shliger 

Shliger has been an absolute powerhouse for the Terps in his career showcasing hit, power, run, throw and field. He's a multi-dimensional player who can handle the outfield in a pinch, though evaluators do think there's a shot he can stick behind the plate as a pro. Shliger has fringe-average power though he's getting to all of it in game. 

He doesn't have a ton of projection left in his smaller frame, but he's already performing at a high level with an advanced approach at the plate and impact in his offensive game. There's some swing-and-miss here, but he stays inside the zone and is more than willing to take his walks. In fact, jogging to first base has been one of his offensive pillars.

 

10. Zion Rose 

Zion Rose, a star catcher at Br. Rice High School and one of the top national prospects in the Class of 2023, announced on his Twitter handle on Sept. 6 that he’s transferring to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year. 

He’s coming off a huge junior season that saw him hit .496 with a .573 on-base percentage and 4 home runs, 39 RBI, 58 runs, 31 stolen bases, 20 walks, 12 doubles and 4 triples.