MLB Draft Kicks Off with Historic First Pick for the Cleveland Guardians
The commencement of Major League Baseball's amateur draft on Sunday night marked a significant milestone for the Cleveland Guardians. For the first time in the franchise's history, the Guardians secured the No. 1 overall pick, selecting Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana. Historically, the highest pick the Guardians have held was the second overall, a position they occupied five times, with the most recent being in 1992.
Sunday night saw a total of 74 picks made, covering the first and second rounds along with several compensatory and supplementary phases. The action will resume at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with anticipation high for the talent yet to be drafted.
Top Prospects and Their Unique Attributes
Among the top prospects, Dakota Jordan, an outfielder from Mississippi State, is ranked No. 28 on the top-50 list. Jordan has demonstrated significant potential, although a strikeout rate of 31% in his SEC at-bats suggests there is room for improvement. Nonetheless, an insider points to his star-level upside, noting, "There's star-level upside if Jordan's employer can help him maximize his traits."
Right-handed pitchers also featured prominently, with Joey Oakie from Ankeny Centennial (IA) ranked No. 42. Oakie stands out with his fastball-slider combination, which he delivers from a distinctive flat release point. Similarly, Dax Whitney from Blackfoot High School in Idaho, ranked No. 45, has shown notable improvement in his velocity this year, making him a prospect to watch.
Outfielder Mike Sirota from Northeastern is noteworthy for his selectivity at the plate, having walked more frequently than he struck out this season. His performance in the Cape Cod League last summer further solidified his ranking at No. 47.
Pitchers and Their Varied Performances
Drew Beam from Tennessee, ranked No. 49, is another significant prospect. Despite being at the back end of the top-50 list, a source suggests, "Beam ought to still come off the board somewhat early on Day 2."
Diverse pitching talent is evident with Josh Hartle, a left-handed pitcher from Wake Forest, sporting a 5.79 ERA over 15 games this season. Tristan Smith from Clemson, another southpaw, has struggled with control, issuing more than six walks per nine innings over two seasons with the Tigers.
Notable Hitters in the Draft
Kevin Bazzell from Texas Tech is another intriguing prospect, having batted .330/.431/.530 with 16 home runs over two seasons despite overcoming mononucleosis earlier this year. Bazzell projects as a catcher at the next level, and one observer noted, "In addition to projecting as a catcher at the next level, Bazzell was an accomplished collegiate hitter."
Peyton Stovall, a second baseman from Arkansas, posted an impressive slash line of .315/.390/.532 in conference play, while Carson DeMartini, a third baseman from Virginia Tech, hit 21 home runs this season despite striking out in nearly 28% of his plate appearances.
As the draft continues, teams and fans alike will watch keenly to see how these top prospects develop and which players will make their mark in the majors. With the Guardians' historic first pick and a diverse pool of talent, the 2023 MLB amateur draft is already setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.