Mack - 2023 - Top 10 Outfielders RIGHT NOW

We move on to the outfield, which features the odds on favorite for the 1.1 pick in this draft: 

1. Dylan Crews 

A top prospect in high school until he took himself out of the 2020 Draft, Crews batted .349/.463/.691 as a sophomore, though his stock took a slight hit when he batted .158 with a 30 percent strikeout rate in a dozen games with the U.S. collegiate national team. He stands out most with his power and hitting ability, and he also has solid speed, a non-zero chance to stick in center field and the arm to profile in right.

 

2. Max Clark 

The mere mention of the new #1 overall player in the 2023 class lights up the face of any scout, player, parent, or coach, and his presence on any diamond is sure to bring a massive crowd of onlookers and spectators. A massive social media following is glued to his every movement, and Clark’s cutting edge delivery in said space is sure to be the example that many future prospects follow. 

But for all the hype, there is no gimmick. 

A five-tool prospect with across-the-board abilities that are unmatched, Clark’s incessant pursuit of perfection might be his most awe inspiring attribute. No player brings as much talent to the diamond, but even more impressively, no player brings as much energy and exuberance. Max Clark is ALWAYS on. There is no half-speed to his motor. He glides around the outfield gracefully, and is equally as dangerous in turning a routine ground ball to shortstop into a single as he is stretching a standup double into a triple. He is a throwback player who is defining the future of amateur baseball, and is unwilling to be type casted.

 

3. Walker Jenkins 

Pushing Clark from the #2 and #3 spots are a pair of run-producing sluggers with elite hit/power tools. OF Walker Jenkins (South Brunswick HS, NC), a North Carolina recruit, brings similar energy to the diamond where he carries a blue-collar approach on both sides of the ball. Perhaps the most imposing presence in the class at a square-shouldered, 6-foot-3, 210-pounds, the left-handed hitter commands each of his at-bats where a heavy barrel is delivered more often than not. His power potential, and present ability to cover the plate, is coveted by professional clubs, and his makeup is equally as impressive.

 

4. Enrique Bradfield 

Bradfield’s 80-grade speed has been well-known by scouts since his high school days, though there were questions about his lack of strength and ability to impact the ball. He’s never going to be known for power, though he did homer eight times in 2022. That might not matter given that he went 46-for-46 in stolen base attempts in 2022 and has 93 steals in two seasons at Vandy.

  

5. Wyatt Langford 

Langford is draft-eligible for the first time in 2023 and is coming off one of the greatest seasons in the history of the Orange & Blue. The Trenton, Fla. native tied Florida's single-season home run record and paced the Southeastern Conference with 26 long balls en route to First Team All-America status. As one of two Gators to start all 66 games last year, Langford slashed .355/.447/.867 while adding three triples, nine doubles, 73 runs, 63 RBI and seven steals to his resume.

 

6. Travis Honeyman 

Honeyman has essentially been a steady performer throughout his college career, both on campus and in wood-bat summer leagues. A primary left fielder, Honeyman is an above average runner with high-level instincts. He's got a fringy arm, and will almost certainly stay in left field moving forward. Honeyman really began to turn heads as one of the better hitters on the Caps this past summer. It's solid-average power at the plate, mostly to his pull-side. Honeyman is a solid player in almost every aspect of the game and is a bit of a sum-of-his-parts type of player.

 

7. Jack Hurley 

Hurley is a bit of a five-tool player who can impact the game in every aspect. He's got the hit tool and the raw power, and he's got the speed to steal double-digit bases as a pro. If there's one critique here, it may be that the throwing arm is below average, maybe a touch better than that. Hurley comes packed in an athletic frame with well-proportioned strength and organic loft built into his swing. He doesn't have to sellout for power or force things to his pull-side. He does a good job staying up the middle of the field and letting his bat speed handle the rest. Hurley has gone through occasional periods of swing-and-miss, coming almost exclusively by way of the changeup, but that's a development piece that should come as he ages. This is a big league regular bat.

8. Gavin Grahovac 

Gavin Grahovac is a 2023 OF/C/IF with a 6-2 210 lb. frame from Orange, CA who attends Villa Park. Large, athletic frame with broad shoulders and physical strength proportioned well throughout frame. Runs well, posted a 6.78 60-yard dash. Primary outfielder, fields the ball to side, comes through it well and utilizes a shorter arm path through the back, one hop accuracy to the intended base with quickness to arm stroke; similar arm action on throws across the infield, higher slot on throws, shows carry across diamond and will continue to refine overall actions. Right-handed hitter, begins with a wide and even base, has moving parts in lower half working into contact. Above average bat speed already through the zone, shows a handle for the barrel with a full swing path through the zone. Loud contact off the barrel, went deep out to left-center field in BP and picked up an opposite field double in live action; combination of bat speed and strength at impact stand out, easy power projection moving forward. Excellent student. Verbal commitment to Texas A&M.

 

9. Nolan Schanuel 

It's likely Nolan Schanuel is the best baseball player you've never heard of. The FAU slugger has been a mainstay on leaderboards for years now. Schanuel may have the best approach in the country with big juice. A premier name for the 2023 Draft.

10. Ryan Lasko 

A freshman All-American in 2021, Lasko impressed scouts with virtually every aspect of his game at such a young age. Lasko is a reasonably patient hitter with a good feel for the strikezone; a selective hitter. As a young hitter, making consistent contact and striking out would be streaky, but at his best Lasko looked like a complete hitter, and projects well in the Big 10. Lasko hits the ball hard and should continue to see gains in that category as he gets more comfortable. Lasko is a capable centerfield, and has enough speed to steal some bases too. There's the potential for a toolsy guy here, especially if the bat continues to tick up.