The 2023 MLB draft is just a week away. This year's 20-round format will take place July 9-11 in conjunction with Major League Baseball's All-Star Game festivities in Seattle.
Here is a guide for all 30 teams, with each organization's 2023 draft to-do list, the best fits in the draft, where each farm system ranks (updated this week!) and more.
Teams are listed in draft order.
More ESPN + draft coverage: Mock Draft 2.0 | Top 150-plus prospects
Watch: July 9 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Pittsburgh Pirates
Day 1 picks: No. 1, No. 42, No. 67
2023 draft bonus pool: $16,185,700
Where their farm system ranks: seventh, $244 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: One criticism of this regime is that it doesn't have a clear home run in the draft or a clear type of player that they excel at developing. I'd say steady development with prep pitchers (Anthony Solometo, Bubba Chandler, Quinn Priester) is the best example.
What they need to accomplish in this draft:
Best fits: Given the way I described the Pirates' situation in the most recent mock draft -- that the top three, and maybe top five, picks are a toss-up in terms of talent -- I think either Paul Skenes or Wyatt Langford makes sense at No. 1. Those two players will likely define this draft. It seems likely that a prep player getting past pick 15 or 20 becomes a target at 42 for an overslot bonus.
Washington Nationals
Day 1 picks: No. 2, No. 40
2023 draft bonus pool: $14,502,400
Where their farm system ranks: 15th, $190 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Nats over-index on high-risk/high-reward prospects of all sorts, and they lean into college power arms with relief and/or injury questions in later rounds. Cade Cavalli was set to become a win this year before elbow surgery, while Brady House and Elijah Green are great hopes and Daylen Lile is another arrow-up early pick.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The rebuild needs reinforcements, and there's real draft capital to spend, so it isn't time to be shy. The goal: keep chasing potential stars.
Best fits: I'm told their board for their first pick is just Skenes and Dylan Crews, so that should be easy. Dipping into the rich prep position player crop with their second pick would fit; hometown products Jonny Farmelo or Bryce Eldridge might have a chance to fall to No. 40, while George Wolkow is a more attainable target.
Detroit Tigers
Day 1 picks: No. 3, No. 37, No. 45
2023 draft bonus pool: $15,747,200
Where their farm system ranks: 25th, $131 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: It's the first draft for a new regime, so we don't really know yet. The two top scouting execs came from the Padres and Rays, while Scott Harris came from the Giants, so I'd expect a nice mix of various approaches teaming with some momentum on the pitching development end of things (Ty Madden is a recent example).
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Like most rebuilding clubs, the Tigers need a bunch of strong everyday-type talents, and they figure to get a player of that caliber with their first pick. Assuming it's one of the three top college players, he alone will lift their farm system from 25th to 16th.
Best fits: Whichever of Skenes/Crews/Langford is still there should be a simple pick. I'd lean hitters and mix in one overpay high school player (Blake Mitchell or Dillon Head?) and one college player for a slot (Brice Matthews or Colton Ledbetter?).
Texas Rangers
Day 1 picks: No. 4
2023 draft bonus pool: $9,925,300
Where their farm system ranks: eighth, $220 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They steadily progress already-talented hitters, including Josh Jung, Evan Carter, Jonathan Ornelas and Aaron Zavala.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They're competitive now and have a wave of talent in the upper minors headlining a top-10 farm system. Texas will continue leaning into what it's good at and backfill a system that might graduate a lot of talent in the next year.
Best fits: The Rangers have another easy call, likely selecting between Max Clark and Walker Jenkins with their first pick, immediately getting a new second-ranked prospect in the system behind Carter. It'll be a long break until their next pick at No. 108, but with their overage, they could go into the seven figures, so they need to keep tabs on second-round talents who slide out of Day 1.
Minnesota Twins
Day 1 picks: No. 5, No. 34, No. 49
2023 draft bonus pool: $14,345,600
Where their farm system ranks: 17th, $181 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Cade Povich (since traded to Baltimore) and David Festa are two notable examples of creating some velocity after the draft.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: With a solid system and solid big league team, the Twins just need to lean into what they develop best: hit-first, up-the-middle type of hitters and pitchers who are well rounded but could use more arm speed.
Best fits: I think taking whichever of the top five talents who remain at their pick is an easy call, even if there are rumors that they'll go another way. Banking some savings for their other Day 1 picks could yield some prep upside that fits their pick history in Kevin McGonigle and Steven Echavarria.
Oakland Athletics
Day 1 picks: No. 6, No. 39, No. 41
2023 draft bonus pool: $14,255,600
Where their farm system ranks: 19th, $169 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They've done well in recent drafts with polished hitters who play in the infield, including arrow-up prospects in Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof and Brett Harris.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Soderstrom and Mason Miller are the only potential stars in the system, and the big league team is terrible. They need quality -- and lots of it.
Best fits: Getting one of the top five talents would be ideal, but that seems unlikely right now. Grabbing a polished college bat with their first pick (Brayden Taylor, Kyle Teel, Jacob Wilson) makes sense, while Jake Gelof would be a nice fit with his brother Zack, and Drew Burress also fits Oakland's type.
Cincinnati Reds
Day 1 picks: No. 7, No. 38, No. 43
2023 draft bonus pool: $13,785,200
Where their farm system ranks: third, $297 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Matt McLain and Andrew Abbott are the two recent wins. The Reds tend to target power arms and bats in search of upside, but those two were more polished college types who needed to make a key adjustment, which suggests the Reds should adjust their focus a bit.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They're the most fun team in baseball at the moment with a shot at a playoff berth and a farm system that was the best in baseball before McLain graduated. Backfilling with a handful of potential impact players would create another wave of talent.
Best fits: If they can't get a top-five talent with their pick, the board is giving them college position players, with Teel or Rhett Lowder fitting best. With two more Day 1 picks, I'd like to see a total haul of two position players, ideally catcher or outfielder, and one pitcher -- say, Lowder, Ralphy Velazquez or Jack Hurley.
Kansas City Royals
Day 1 picks: No. 8, No. 44, No. 66
2023 draft bonus pool: $12,313,500
Where their farm system ranks: 29th, $81 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Tyler Gentry and Cayden Wallace have been on an arrow-up trajectory since signing as second- or third-tier college bats. Carter Jensen as a Midwest prep hitter is another example, so sorting through the non-elite bats seems to be a sweet spot for them.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They have the second-worst farm system and the second-worst record in baseball, so really the Royals are just looking for good news.
Best fits: Picking No. 8 in a five-man draft makes that a little tricky, but grabbing a college bat with their first pick and keeping an eye on solid position player values at 44 and 66 makes the most sense. Let's say Teel or Brayden Taylor fit at the first pick and prep infielders Adrian Santana and Nazzan Zanetello (a local product) fit the next two picks.
Colorado Rockies
Day 1 picks: No. 9, No. 46, No. 65
2023 draft bonus pool: $11,909,800
Where their farm system ranks: 20th, $167 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Rockies aren't standouts at much right now, but they tend to pick position players well, especially farther down the board. Drew Romo, Sterlin Thompson, Hunter Goodman, Braxton Fulford, Jordan Beck and Ryan Ritter are all arrow up since draft day, to different degrees.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The farm system is improving, but it's still not great, given the big league team is last in the NL. They'll need a bulk of good players since they likely don't have access to the star-type talents of this draft.
Best fits: Last year they started things off with a college pitcher, and I think they do that again with Lowder, then dip into the position player pool with their next two picks. I'd say Cole Carrigg and Kendall George fit the bill.
Miami Marlins
Day 1 picks: No. 10, No. 35, No. 47
2023 draft bonus pool: $12,829,600
Where their farm system ranks: 27th, $115 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: As an organization, there's a lack of acquiring and developing position players, but the Fish have done well with pitching. The best pick in last year's crop was third-round prep RHP Karson Milbrandt, while 2021 eighth-rounder Patrick Montverde will be in this year's All-Star Futures Game. The pitcher-only 2020 draft was the best under this regime, landing Max Meyer, Dax Fulton and potential top-100 prospects this winter in Jake Eder and Kyle Hurt (now with the Dodgers) in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Due to Eury Perez and a few others graduating, the farm system lacks top-50-type talent and the big league team still needs more bats, but I wouldn't be shy about leaning into the pitching development competency.
Best fits: It's feeling like a college bat will be the first pick, with Matt Shaw a safe and solid selection. Eyeing pitchers down the board, collegiates Joe Whitman and Juaron Watts-Brown fit the bill, while prep shortstop Tai Peete could make sense in the comp round as an upside gamble.
Los Angeles Angels
Day 1 picks: No. 11
2023 draft bonus pool: $8,328,900
Where their farm system ranks: 26th, $117 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They rush guys to the big league and have been getting decent results doing it, getting Chase Silseth, Zach Neto, Ben Joyce, Sam Bachman and Victor Mederos from the past two draft classes. Prep righty Caden Dana is another nice arrow-up name, helping show some pitcher scouting/development competency.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They need to keep leaning into what's been working and try to prop up a competitive big league product: Take college guys who can move fast, and if you have some savings left, pick an overslot high schooler later.
Best fits: Lowder and Jacob Gonzalez get mentioned a lot at the Angels' top pick, but I don't think either makes it there. Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Chase Dollander fit the bill a bit better. Liam Peterson fits the Dana mold of overpay prep righty down the board.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Day 1 picks: No. 12, No. 48, No. 64
2023 draft bonus pool: $11,084,300
Where their farm system ranks: 12th, $202 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Diamondbacks tend to target bat-first, up-the-middle types, finding success with Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas and Jordan Lawlar in recent years.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Graduating Carroll, Gabriel Moreno and Ryne Nelson this season hurt their farm ranking but helped establish a strong playoff-caliber core. It would be helpful for them to strengthen the wave of talent behind what's currently in the upper minors right now.
Best fits: Hit-first position players are in abundance at their first pick, with local product Wilson and Bradfield Jr. the best options. Brice Matthews and Burress fit at their next pick.
Chicago Cubs
Day 1 picks: No. 13, No. 68
2023 draft bonus pool: $8,962,000
Where their farm system ranks: sixth, $245 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: After years of struggling to create high-level pitching depth, the Cubs' past two first-round picks, Cade Horton and Jordan Wicks, are both college arms who have been arrow-up arms since draft day.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The big league team is still just OK, but the farm system is cresting with multiple players close to contributing. The lower minors aren't quite as strong, so beefing up the next wave will help sustain this movement.
Best fits: They'll likely be staring top prep arm Noble Meyer in the face with their first pick, along with much of the top of the second tier of prep hitters. Rumor is Arjun Nimmala had a sterling private workout. Their second pick is a nice spot to dip into the second cut of prep pitching, with one of the high-upside-option lefties among Paul Wilson, Alex Clemmey and Cameron Johnson probably still available.
Boston Red Sox
Day 1 picks: No. 14, No. 50
2023 draft bonus pool: $10,295,100
Where their farm system ranks: 10th, $208 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: This regime has stayed away from pitchers at high picks or bonuses, but it has hit pretty consistently on those hitters, landing Nick Yorke, Blaze Jordan, Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: I'd expect the Red Sox to continue down this road, but there also might not be a 150-inning big league starter in their whole system, so adding one would really help.
Best fits: College hitters like Shaw, Troy, Wilson and Bradfield Jr. all fit for their first pick, as does prep shortstop Colin Houck. At their second pick, I'd expect a slot-or-below college player (like Luke Keaschall) to then set up an overslot high school player later.
Chicago White Sox
Day 1 picks: No. 15, No. 51
2023 draft bonus pool: $9,072,800
Where their farm system ranks: 22nd, $142 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Colson Montgomery looks like the big hit in the past few drafts for the White Sox. Not being afraid of a prep position player who's 19 years old on draft day and using it to seek upside is a good angle.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Aside from Montgomery, who has barely played this season, this is a bottom-three farm system and the big league team has been really bad. This organization needs more talent of any sort.
Best fits: Chicago is in a tough spot of the draft, as it's in the middle of the second tier of talent, picking over those leftovers, or maybe it'll dip into the top of the third tier if it has a strong point of view on an evaluation. I think the White Sox like the idea of a prep bat but the board is giving them college bats, with Yohandy Morales and Troy the leading options. There's also a shot Dollander gets to this pick, and I think his slide would stop here.
San Francisco Giants
Day 1 picks: No. 16, No. 52, No. 69
2023 draft bonus pool: $9,916,900
Where their farm system ranks: ninth, $212 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They've done well with college position players, hitting on Patrick Bailey, Casey Schimtt and Vaun Brown in different parts of the draft, but I'd say their core edge is with pitching. Kyle Harrison was a huge hit, gambling on a pitchability prep lefty who has a pro velocity spike, while Mason Black has been a steady arrow up, and last year's pitching crop (Reggie Crawford, Carson Whisenhunt, sleeper Hayden Birdsong) are all looking good so far.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The strength of the system is cresting to the upper levels, and the big league team is competitive once again. Reloading the lower minors is the aim, though all but one of the above names are collegiates, so I'd continue to lean into what's been working.
Best fits: There's lots of college talent potentially available at their first pick: Tommy Troy, Wilson, Hurston Waldrep, Nolan Schanuel. The next two picks have some solid hitter and pitcher options, like Kemp Alderman or Cade Kuehler, then Kiefer Lord or Mac Horvath.
Baltimore Orioles
Day 1 picks: No. 17, No. 53, No. 63
2023 draft bonus pool: $10,534,800
Where their farm system ranks: second, $331 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They draft position players and have settled on a pretty specific type. Power must be present, along with at least decent bat-to-ball skills, ideally with some physical skills and/or speed/defensive value. That might sound vague -- or like what every team is doing -- but search this article for "contact" or "hit-first," and you'll see that looking for power with some physical skills/speed (because you largely can't teach those) and then teaching the other stuff is both smart and somewhat novel.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They have an exciting young big league team that's competing and are a rounding error from having the best farm system in baseball. Just keep doing that stuff.
Best fits: This could be the year the O's go pitcher with their top pick, with a chance Noble Meyer or Hurston Waldrep gets there. More likely, though, is that Colin Houck, Nimmala or Yohandy Morales ends up fitting the above description.
Milwaukee Brewers
Day 1 picks: No. 18, No. 33, No. 54
2023 draft bonus pool: $10,950,600
Where their farm system ranks: 13th, $197 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They tend to draft hit-first, up-the-middle position players (Sal Frelick, Tyler Black) and pitchers with standout pitch data (Jacob Misiorowski), normally in terms of breaking ball break and fastball shape.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The big league team and farm system are both solid, with the majority of the top prospects at the upper levels of the minors, so there isn't a clear need.
Best fits: Milwaukee sits at the end of this tier of college bats as a potential stopper for Troy, Shaw, Wilson or Bradfield Jr. Trent Caraway makes sense at their comp pick, and at their second-round pick, I've been projecting Kuehler as a fit for the Brew Crew the entire spring.
Tampa Bay Rays
Day 1 picks: No. 19, No. 31, No. 55
2023 draft bonus pool: $10,872,100
Where their farm system ranks: fourth, $296 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Rays hit on three hitters in their 2021 draft haul, from the prep (Carson Williams) and juco (Mason Auer) to the four-year-college (Kyle Manzardo) levels and have been very hitter-heavy at early picks in the past two drafts.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They have a top-tier big league team and farm system, so they should probably just keep doing what they're doing?
Best fits: The Rays aren't afraid of going prep-heavy or taking non-consensus talents, so some fits along those lines are Colin Houck, Colt Emerson and Aidan Miller at the first pick. Peete is a strong fit at the comp pick, with Kendall George at the second-round pick.
Toronto Blue Jays
Day 1 picks: No. 20
2023 draft bonus pool: $6,529,700
Where their farm system ranks: 21st, $163 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Ricky Tiedemann, Nick Frasso and Hayden Juenger are all nice pitching finds from the college ranks, a demographic Toronto seems comfortable with.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: It'll be a bottom-five system once Tiedemann graduates, possibly this summer, so building more quality depth is essential.
Best fits: College pitching is very weak this year. I think Toronto is a stopper for Hurston Waldrep and might be a high-water mark for Ty Floyd. The board is giving them prep hitters here, and Head has long been rumored.
St. Louis Cardinals
Day 1 picks: No. 21
2023 draft bonus pool: $6,375,100
Where their farm system ranks: 18th, $175 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Cards have been on a draft heater of late, dominating the 2020 pandemic-affected draft by landing Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Tink Hence and Alec Burleson by pick 70, with all four players already landing on top-100 prospect lists. Finding another in Gordon Graceffo in the fifth round in 2021 and riser Victor Scott in the fifth round last year underlines competence at both Day 1 picks and in under-the-radar college types.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The farm system is middle of the pack, but that's on the heels of Walker, Burleson, Zack Thompson, Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman graduating somewhat recently. There's an above-average group of young talent here that should help stabilize things in what's been an underwhelming big league season so far, sitting just off the bottom in the NL. They added mostly college talent at the top of the draft last year, so mixing in some prep talents would round things out well.
Best fits: The Cards are mostly tied to the tier of college bats who look to be much of what's available at their pick; Troy, Nolan Schanuel and Chase Davis are the more commonly mentioned options. By playing every other pick slot, they could use their overage to spend into seven figures for their third-round pick, near the beginning of Day 2.
Seattle Mariners
Day 1 picks: No. 22, No. 29, No. 30
2023 draft bonus pool: $13,170,900
Where their farm system ranks: 23rd, $141 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: They've done well of late with prep position players (Cole Young, Harry Ford, Edwin Arroyo) and dialing in a college arm with a clear weakness (Bryce Miller, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Connor Phillips). Things are more mixed with the other two demographics, but college hitter Tyler Locklear is arrow up since last year's draft.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: They've graduated strong regulars in the past year and the system strength is a little deeper into the minors. There isn't a strong need, so I'd lean into what they've been good at drafting and developing.
Best fits: With three high Day 1 picks, there are lots of options for mixing things up. The industry suspicion is that they take two high school position players and one pitcher. Josh Knoth and Floyd fit their developmental pitching strengths, while the Mariners will have a group of prep position players to choose from. The leading options are Miller, McGonigle, George Lombard Jr. and Peete.
Cleveland Guardians
Day 1 picks: No. 23, No. 58, No. 62
2023 draft bonus pool: $8,736,700
Where their farm system ranks: 11th, $203 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Guardians' specific draft strength -- generic, strike-throwing college pitchers in Round 3 and on, and gaining velocity almost out of thin air -- might be the clearest and most pronounced of any team's draft strength. Tanner Bibee is the most recent example, but James Karinchak, Xzavion Curry, Zach Plesac, Shane Bieber and Logan Allen are other examples. They also love hit-first and/or young-for-the-class position players.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Their system is solid at almost every position at each level, while the big league team is competing for a division title. It would be silly to do anything other than leaning hard into what they do best.
Best fits: They should be the ultimate stopping point for Hurston Waldrep, Wilson and Bradfield Jr., but I doubt any of them will get here. Emerson and Lombard Jr. are more likely fits at their first pick. Later in Day 1, Burress, Brice Matthews, Lord, Colton Ledbetter and Nazzan Zanetello all fit here, before the generic college arm parade begins on Day 2.
Atlanta Braves
Day 1 picks: No. 24, No. 59, No. 70
2023 draft bonus pool: $8,341,700
Where their farm system ranks: 30th, $54 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Braves rushed Spencer Strider, Michael Harris, Vaughn Grissom and A.J. Smith-Shawver to the big leagues from recent drafts, all with some real early success. Last year's fifth-rounder, Ignacio Alvarez, is already looking like a nice find on an overlooked demographic of West Coast juco position players, while lower-upside college pitchers Bryce Elder and Dylan Dodd offered quick inventory value, if not more.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: This obvious drafting and development success along with a couple go-for-it trades with Oakland leading to real big league results is why the farm system is ranked last. Restocking the system for more potential trades and maybe finding another underrated quick riser will continue to be the aim.
Best fits: It's hard to ignore local prep product and Omaha hero Floyd here, as there are some Strider vibes to his style of pitching. Otherwise, it's mostly the third cut of position players on the board here with players like Davis, Emerson, McGonigle and Lombard Jr. among the better fits. I don't have any inside info, but Lord fits some of the characteristics that the Braves tend to look for.
San Diego Padres
Day 1 picks: No. 25
2023 draft bonus pool: $5,416,000
Where their farm system ranks: 14th, $192 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Padres had one of the most improbably successful draft hauls in recent memory by landing Jackson Merrill and James Wood with their first two picks in 2021, picking at the back of each round. They're now both top-20 prospects in baseball and help underline the thing San Diego excels at: finding value via old-school methods, usually with high school players.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: While thinned out, the farm ranking is still solid -- due to the top four or five prospects -- because of the Padres' core competency of finding that sort of talent for a discount. Maybe one or two of those are the type they'd trade, and the big league team needs some help, so replenishing their trade options would be wise.
Best fits: Prep position players are what the board is giving the Pads, so I'd expect that with their only Day 1 pick. Leading options are Emerson, Lombard Jr., Eldridge, Walker Martin, Mitchell and Farmelo.
New York Yankees
Day 1 picks: No. 26
2023 draft bonus pool: $5,299,400
Where their farm system ranks: fifth, $249 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: While landing Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe at the end of the first round is great, the Yankees have a specific ability that shows up nearly every year. They turn pitchers into prospects in the fifth round or later at an impressive rate: Chase Hampton (sixth round) from 2022; Richard Fitts (sixth), Will Warren (eighth) and Chandler Champlain (ninth) from 2021; and Ken Waldichuk (fifth) and Hayden Wesneski (sixth) in 2019.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Even after graduating Volpe and making a number of trades the past few years, the farm is still top-five. Continuing to lean into what works will give Brian Cashman more trade capital.
Best fits: The heavy rumor at their first pick is another local prep shortstop (Volpe alert!), Sammy Stafura. I'd expect a prep position player at their top pick given what the Yankees tend to like at early picks and what's on the board, and Lombard Jr., Eldridge, Emerson and Martin fit their preferences.
Philadelphia Phillies
Day 1 picks: No. 27
2023 draft bonus pool: $5,185,500
Where their farm system ranks: 16th, $182 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: With Andrew Painter and Mick Abel, the Phillies have gone two-for-two with prep right-handers in the first round, which is both a high-risk demographic and one that some teams won't dip into twice in a decade. They've also found early success with one of the highest-variance prep position players in last year's draft in Justin Crawford and a great fifth-round find in 2021 with risky college pitcher Griff McGarry.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The big league team is in the wild-card hunt and this amateur scouting group embraces risk with more success than almost any other team.
Best fits: There's another prep righty with a big upside whom the Phillies have been tied to: Charlee Soto. If not him, I could see Lombard Jr., Head, Emerson and local product McGonigle being good fits.
Houston Astros
Day 1 picks: No. 28, No. 61
2023 draft bonus pool: $6,747,900
Where their farm system ranks: 28th, $97 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Given the draft pick punishments for sign stealing in addition to being a perennial playoff club, the Astros haven't had high picks in recent years, so they've been forced to make do with less draft capital. I loved last year's first-round pick Drew Gilbert at the time and continue to love him, while fourth-rounder Trey Dombroski, 11th-rounder Ryan Clifford and 12th-rounder Zach Dezenzo are all arrow-up from last year's crop. Add in fourth-rounder Chayce McDermott from 2021 (since traded to Baltimore) and all but one of those players are undervalued college products.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The system is down now due to losing Hunter Brown, Jeremy Pena and Yainer Diaz in the past year-plus, but some of their better prospects are also having down years. Following in the footsteps of the early success of 2022 is what's needed.
Best fits: I've heard prep position player names here like Stafura and Martin, but I could also see the Astros intrigued by Floyd if those two are gone by the 28th pick. In Round 2, college pitchers Lord, Jackson Baumeister, Caden Grice, Will Sanders and Tanner Witt all offer some of the characteristics Houston tends to emphasize.
New York Mets
Day 1 picks: No. 32, No. 56
(The Mets' first pick dropped 10 spots due to exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold.)
2023 draft bonus pool: $8,440,400
Where their farm system ranks: 24th, $135 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: The Mets' scouting group has mostly been the same for a while, and they have done well in the first round, landing Pete Crow-Armstrong (2020), Brett Baty (2019) and Jarred Kelenic (2018) before not signing Kumar Rocker in 2021. They also have solid early returns on Kevin Parada (compensation for not signing Rocker) and Jett Williams from last year. Three undervalued college pitchers have been great finds in the 2021 draft in Christian Scott (fifth round), Mike Vasil (eighth) and Nate Lavender (14th).
What they need to accomplish in this draft: The farm ranking is down with Francisco Alvarez and Baty graduating this year, while Ronny Mauricio and the three pitchers mentioned above aren't far behind. Replenishing the lower levels with potential core pieces is what's needed most, but that's easier said than done.
Best fits: I mentioned two mocks ago that the buzz I was hearing is the Mets are hoping Yohandy Morales gets to their pick, as he did in that mock. That now looks unlikely, but he's exactly the kind of player they should be looking for -- one key adjustment from being a clear starter. Davis, Floyd, Brock Wilken, Eldridge, Farmelo and Head all fit that bill.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Day 1 picks: No. 36, No. 60
(The Dodgers' first pick dropped 10 spots due to exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold.)
2023 draft bonus pool: $7,274,600
Where their farm system ranks: first, $340 million
What they do well and a recent draft win: Most things? In 2020 they turned a college starter with stuff but not much feel (Bobby Miller) into a potential frontline starter in the late first round and an anonymous small-college starter (Gavin Stone) into a big league rotation piece in the fifth round. In 2021, they turned a fourth-round stuff-over-feel starter (Nick Nastrini) into another potential big league impact piece, while their sixth-rounder (Emmet Sheehan) is in the big league rotation right now. Last year's first pick (Dalton Rushing) is now in the top half of my minor league top 100 prospects list despite going 40th overall, while their 13th-rounder whom most scouts had given up on (Chris Newell) is already looking like a big leaguer.
What they need to accomplish in this draft: Keep being the Thanos of the MLB draft.
Best fits: They've been tied to prep outfielder Farmelo, and if he's there, that feels like a classic Dodgers W. An overslot McGonigle, Mitchell or Eldridge could also make it there and fit their preferences. This would also be arguably the best spot for slot option pitchers Floyd or Knoth to land for their future development.