The first round of the 2023 MLB Draft is over, and so is the wait for the top pick.
After plenty of speculation as to who would go first overall, the Pirates finally put the question to rest by making LSU pitcher Paul Skenes as the latest No. 1 overall pick in MLB Draft history. And while the top five players in the draft went about as expected, there were some interesting selections that followed in the first round.
The MLB Draft is never as simple as some of the other drafts. Teams won't always take the best player available because they will need to save money for later picks. They also won't be picking for immediate need because many of these picks will be in the minor leagues for several years. They'll arrive to play for a completely different team than the one in 2023 or even 2024.
That's why grading draft picks on draft day can be a challenging exercise: it's all a crapshoot for a few years. But based on past pick values, player analysis and overall draft outlook, it's still possible to give grades and decide what to make of each team's pick in the early stages of the draft.
MORE: Watch the 2023 MLB Draft live with Fubo in the U.S. (free trial)
The Sporting News tried to do exactly that with draft-day grades for each first-round selection. Follow below for complete results.
MLB DRAFT: SN's mock draft | Top 100 big board
MLB Draft grades 2023: Live picks, analysis for Round 1
Round 1
1. Pittsburgh Pirates — Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU
- Grade: A
There's no question about it: Skenes is as good as it gets. He has been compared to Stephen Strasburg among the most highly touted pitching prospects of all time. The LSU right-hander could pitch in the bullpen right now for the Pirates, and many expect he will be on a similar timeline to Strasburg in pitching out of Pittsburgh's rotation as early as 2024. This is a generational talent who can be an ace in the big leagues very soon.
MORE: Why Pirates took Skenes over Crews at 1-1
2. Washington Nationals — Dylan Crews, OF, LSU
- Grade: A
Signing bonus demands likely dropped Crews from first overall to second, and the Nationals get to benefit from Pittsburgh's bonus pool strategy. Crews is the most refined collegiate hitter the draft has seen in years, with many believing he has what it takes to be an impact top- or middle-of-the-order bat next year. His approach is highly advanced (71 walks to 46 strikeouts in 2023), and he has plenty of raw power (18 home runs). Crews should be able to stick in center field, and he might be in Washington next year. The Nationals have had two MVP-caliber outfielders recently in Bryce Harper and Juan Soto. Crews is next in line.
3. Detroit Tigers — Max Clark, OF, Franklin HS (Ind.)
- Grade: B+
This is the first pick that is a bit of a shocker. Detroit was expected to be headed toward Wyatt Langford if Skenes and Crews were off the board, but Clark is clearly worthy of going this high. Of the top five draft prospects, he is the fastest and the easiest lock to stay in center field. He has an advanced hit tool for a prep bat, and he could develop more power as he grows into his 6-1, 190-pound frame. Drafting high school hitters always carries risk, and Langford would have been a much safer pick, but this could be a major boon for Detroit.
MORE: Everything to know about Max Clark
4. Texas Rangers — Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida
- Grade: A
The Rangers might have been shocked to see that Langford was available at No. 4. He was a late favorite to go No. 1 overall, and most mocks had him going no lower than third to the Tigers. But there he was, and Texas jumped at the chance to draft him. Langford might have the most offensive upside of any collegiate hitter, with tons of raw power and the best power-speed combination of any player in the draft. He might not be a long-term center fielder, but if he moves to a corner and can focus on the bat, he could be a middle-of-the-order hitter as soon as late 2024.
5. Minnesota Twins — Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS (N.C.)
- Grade: A
There was late speculation Minnesota might go to the college route rather than take one of the clear top-five talents. The Twins have put that to rest and taken the best player available. Jenkins is one of the most refined hitters in the high school class, and he has a ton of raw power. The debate between him and Clark as the top high school player came down to whether you wanted the better hitter (Jenkins) or the more well-rounded player. Jenkins will likely move to a corner outfield spot, but he should be a future middle-of-the-order hitter.
6. Oakland Athletics — Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
- Grade: C+
There was no doubt about who the top five players in the 2023 MLB Draft class were, and if they went in the top five picks, there would be plenty of intrigue about No. 6. Wilson is an unexpected selection. He has an incredibly advanced hit tool (he struck out just six times in 2023 with a .411 batting average), but he also doesn't have much power (six home runs) and is an average runner (eight steals). He's a safe bet to reach the majors, but the A's will have to get him to tap into his power for him to be a major impact talent.
7. Cincinnati Reds — Rhett Lowder, SP, Wake Forest
- Grade: A
There is not a more advanced pitcher in the draft than Lowder. The pitching lab at Wake Forest helped develop him into an ace with exceptional command, the best changeup in the class and enough velocity to get past big leaguers. The Reds are seeing a rebuild start to come to fruition, with many of their prospects shining in the majors this year. Lowder can join them in short order and might be the second pitcher in this class to reach the pros behind Skenes.
MORE: Rhett Lowder scouting report
8. Kansas City Royals — Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton HS (Texas)
- Grade: C+
High school catchers aren't as risky as prep pitchers, but they're close. Only five of 18 first-round high school catchers since 2010 have reached the majors, and just two have positive bWAR. Mitchell might be worth the gamble, however. He has such an advanced bat for a high school player and the athleticism — and more than enough arm strength — to stay behind the plate. The Royals developed second-round prep catcher MJ Melendez well, so there is reason to believe they could be just the organization to take a high school backstop.
9. Colorado Rockies — Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee
- Grade: B+
This has the chance to be a huge win for the Rockies. There's also some risk. Dollander looked like a 1-1 candidate after a dominant sophomore year at Tennessee, but his slider and control regressed in his junior season. If the Rockies can get him back to where he was, he's exactly the type of pitcher that can succeed in Coors Field, with a high-velocity fastball and a slider that should survive the altitude. The Rockies have struggled with high-upside pitchers in the past, but they also did well with Jon Gray, a very comparable pick by arsenal and polish.
10. Miami Marlins — Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (Ore.)
- Grade: B
The Marlins got the best prep pitcher in the draft, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it'll work. He has hit triple digits on his fastball and has an electric slider; those pitches helped separate him from the other prep pitchers in this class. His command is advanced for his age and he has a repeatable delivery, which helps to limit the risk. Why a B? Prep pitchers are an extremely risky demographic to gamble on this early in the draft, so, as with Mitchell, this is more about the history than the player.
11. Los Angeles Angels — Nolan Schanuel, 1B, Florida Atlantic
- Grade: B-
If the Angels' goal is to get players to the big leagues fast, a la Zach Neto and Ben Joyce, this is a reasonable pick. Schanuel has an advanced hit tool and has started to show more power, a pivotal step for a first base/corner outfield prospect. Like Wilson, he's a good bet to reach the majors because of the bat-to-ball skills and his approach. But if he's limited to first base, he'll need to develop even more power to justify such an early selection.
12. Arizona Diamondbacks — Tommy Troy, 3B, Stanford
- Grade: B+
The Diamondbacks are drafting a hitter ready to face big league pitching. Troy rarely looked overmatched despite facing plenty of top competition during Stanford's run to the College World Series. He's one of the best pure hitters in the college ranks and adds more raw power than several other hitters with a comparable hit tool. He'll likely handle the hot corner long term, but Arizona could try him at short or second. There are some slightly better prospects available, but Troy is a standout hitter who should justify the selection.
13. Chicago Cubs — Matt Shaw, 2B, Maryland
- Grade: A
Some of the better prospects than Troy? Shaw is one of them. He walked more than he struck out in 2023 while hitting .341 and he has developed plenty of power that should make him an annual 20-plus homer threat. Add to that his speed (he went 18 for 19 on steal attempts), and there's little he can't do on the offensive side. His only shortcomings are on defense, where he's likely limited to second, but if he hits the way many expect, this is a tremendous pick at No. 13.
14. Boston Red Sox — Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
- Grade: A
No matter where Teel landed, the pick was guaranteed to receive an A. There was some thought that he could go in the top five, and he was viewed as a near-lock to go in the top 10. The Red Sox stop his slide at No. 14 and get a catcher with an incredibly advanced bat and the athleticism needed to stay behind the plate. He might not be a Gold Glover and there's a chance he takes the Henry Davis development route with time in the outfield, but that bat will play anywhere.
MORE: Scouting report on Virginia's slugging catcher
15. Chicago White Sox — Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi
- Grade: A
Another player like Shaw and Teel where, regardless of spot, his selection would receive an A. Gonzalez had been talked about as a potential top-five pick before sliding all the way to No. 15. He has a well-rounded profile, with a bat that will hit for average and power and the ability to stay at shortstop. He might not have any tools that jump off the page, but he also has no major flaws, making him a very safe prospect here.
16. San Francisco Giants — Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, James Madison HS (Va.)
- Grade: A-
This pairing has been talked about quite a lot, and though we have Eldridge at No. 22 on our big board, this feels like a perfect fit. The Giants took UConn's Reggie Crawford last year with the intention of developing him as a two-way player, and they're willing to roll the dice on another one this year. The 6-7, left-handed swinging Eldridge has a ton of raw power at the plate, and he hits the mid-90s with his fastball that pairs with a solid slider. There's a real chance the "American Ohtani" can pull off the two-way feat, and the Giants drafting him gives him a much better chance at doing so.
MORE: Who is Bryce Eldridge, the 'American Ohtani'?
17. Baltimore Orioles — Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt
- Grade: A
The Orioles are already one of the most exciting teams in baseball. Bradfield is only going to add to that. He has an old-school, leadoff hitter profile. He doesn't have a lot of power, but he has an incredible contact rate and is dangerous at laying down bunts for hits. The speed is top of the charts, which will keep him in center field where he profiles as an elite defender. In a time when an emphasis is being put on stolen bases, Bradfield has the chance to be a dynamic asset for Baltimore.
18. Milwaukee Brewers — Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
- Grade: A
The run on A grades continues with Milwaukee. Wilken has the most raw power of any college hitter in the draft, and while there were some questions about his hit tool coming into the year, he did a lot to ease those concerns by cutting down his strikeouts from 71 in 2022 to 58 in 2023 (to go along with 69 walks). Even if Wilken has to move across the diamond to first base, this is a loud bat that should hit enough at any position and give the Brewers a slugger with middle-of-the-order upside.
19. Tampa Bay Rays — Brayden Taylor, 3B, TCU
- Grade: A
The last college slider has finally landed. Taylor was thought to be a possible top-10 pick, and yet he slid all the way down to 19. He had a slow start to the 2023 season but picked it up in the second half and was a major threat for the College World Series-bound Horned Frogs. He should have no problem staying at third base, and the bat will be an asset for the Rays. His approach is incredibly advanced, and if he continues the power development he showed in 2023, he'll be an impact bat very quickly.
20. Toronto Blue Jays — Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (Fla.)
- Grade: A
Nimmala was seventh on our big board, behind only the clear top five and Lowder. He's young (17) but has already shown himself to be a power-hitting threat, and he has room to grow with his 6-1, 170-pound frame. Most believe he'll stick at shortstop, and his rocket arm should at least ensure he stays on the left side of the infield. Because he's such a raw talent, the hit tool has some way to go, but the upside is the highest of any player left on the board at this point.
MORE: Meet top MLB Draft prospect from India who traded cricket for baseball
21. St. Louis Cardinals — Chase Davis, OF, Arizona
- Grade: B
The Cardinals are shooting for the stars with their first pick in the draft. Davis is a tooled-up prospect with an outstanding combination of power and speed, a rocket arm and the ability to be a plus defender in center or a corner spot. There are questions about his hit tool, but Davis appeared to show improvement in 2023, which is what has helped him make the leap up from a gamble in the second round to a gamble in the first.
22. Seattle Mariners — Colt Emerson, SS, Glenn HS (Ohio)
- Grade: B+
Seattle has three picks in the first 30 selections, which means it needs to be careful with bonus pool money. It was expected to go the college route to sign an under-slot player in the first round and save money for later picks, but just about every college batter projected for the first round is gone. Emerson is not a reach at this point — his hit tool is advanced for prep hitters and there's pop in his left-handed swing — but if they wanted to go the prep route at No. 22, there were a few better options left, such as Colin Houck and Kevin McGonigle.
23. Cleveland Guardians — Ralphy Velazquez, C, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)
- Grade: B-
The good news: Velazquez is going to hit. He has a ton of raw power, among the most in the prep ranks, and his approach should help him continue to hit through the minors and get to that power in games. The bad? Again, high school catchers are a risky demographic, and there are major questions about his defense. He might not be athletic enough to stick behind the dish, though his arm is enough to slow the running game if he does handle catching duties. He could be a major steal this late in the draft if he improves enough defensively to stay at catcher. A move off the position, however, would put a lot of pressure on his bat.
24. Atlanta Braves — Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida
- Grade: A
This is a perfect pairing. The Braves have excelled at developing pitchers in recent years, and Waldrep is a pitcher in need of development. The raw stuff is nearly unhittable. He hits triple digits with the fastball and also has a filthy splitter and wipeout slider. Waldrep was wildly inconsistent during the season, including a six-walk performance against LSU in the College World Series, but if the Braves work with him to figure out how to harness that arsenal, they've got a pitcher with the second-best stuff in this class.
MORE: Hurston Waldrep scouting report
25. San Diego Padres — Dillon Head, OF, Homewood Flossmoor HS (Ill.)
- Grade: B
A.J. Preller continues to swing for the fences in the draft. Head is a very athletic center fielder with top-of-the-scale speed and the ability to play well above-average defense in center. He also has a solid hit tool. There's risk because he doesn't hit for a ton of power at the moment, but he could unlock more in the right system. It's certainly a gamble, but one that could pay off big for the Padres.
26. New York Yankees — George Lombard Jr., SS, Gulliver Prep (Fla.)
- Grade: B+
It's easy to see the power upside in Lombard. The 6-3, 190-pounder might need to move off shortstop, but the reason he's going in the first round is the bat. The first thing that stands out is that thunderous pop, which comes from an easy swing. He comes with swing-and-miss issues, but he has grown up around the game (his dad, George Lombard played for the Braves), and there are enough reasons to believe he can make the proper adjustments in pro ball.
27. Philadelphia Phillies — Aidan Miller, 3B, Mitchell HS (Fla.)
- Grade: A
Miller slid down draft boards, which could be due in part to the fact he's older for his class (19). But the Phillies halt the wait and pick him 27th overall. Miller might be one of the best power-hitting prep bats in the class. He has struggled with inside pitches and his swing is unconventional, but between his power and his ability to play a solid third base, there's a lot to like about this pick.
28. Houston Astros — Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska
- Grade: D+
This is by far the biggest reach of the draft to this point. Matthews has plenty of power and he is a fast baserunner, which gives him clear 20-20 potential. But the concern with him is that his hit tool still requires development and he doesn't have the luxury of time. He also is likely to have to move off shortstop in the pros, which makes his defensive future uncertain. The upside is tantalizing, but he could have been drafted much lower.
Prospect promotion incentive picks
29. Seattle Mariners — Jonny Farmelo, OF, Westfield HS (Va.)
- Grade: B+
The Mariners double up on high school hitters, which could bring up signability concerns given the high asking prices for prep players this early. But Farmelo is another solid gamble if Seattle can sign him. He has a lightning-fast bat with the potential to add power to his 6-2, 205-pound frame, though there are concerns about his swing mechanics. Farmelo is a fast runner with the ability to stick in center field. The Mariners have done well developing hitters like Farmelo and Colt Emerson in the past, and they're trying to play to their strengths.
Competitive Balance Round A
30. Seattle Mariners — Tai Peete, SS, Trinity Christian HS (Ga.)
- Grade: C+
Going three straight high school hitters this early is a bold strategy. That's the biggest reason for the C+ grade. Getting all those guys to avoid going to college requires a lot of bonus pool money, and prep hitters inherently come with more risk than college players. Peete is a serious boom-or-bust prospect. He has loud power and combines his lightning-fast swing with blazing speed and a cannon arm. The question around him will be whether his approach can be improved enough to allow him to get to those tools in games.
31. Tampa Bay Rays — Adrian Santana, SS, Doral Academy (Fla.)
- Grade: D+
Like Peete, Santana is a 17-year-old shortstop with high upside and high risk. He's one of the fastest players in the draft and has a cannon arm at short with a glove that will have no issues sticking at short. But he is undersized (5-11, 155 pounds) without much thump in his bat, and there are questions about his ability to make consistent contact. That puts a ton of pressure on his glove to be truly elite, and even then, if he can't hit enough, the glove won't carry him to the majors.
32. New York Mets — Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS (Ga.)
- Grade: A
Houck was the No. 2 prep shortstop on our big board, and his slide could have signaled a strong commitment to Mississippi State. Instead, it might've just been that he had an over-slot deal to fall to the Mets at No. 32. New York is getting the best all-around hitter among prep shortstops, centered on his incredible bat speed. Even if Houck moves off short, his plus arm and his bat will be enough for him to be an impact talent at third base.
33. Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Knoth, RHP, Patchogue-Medford HS (N.Y.)
- Grade: C+
This is getting into the range where it's worth the risk drafting prep pitchers. But Knoth is an interesting gamble at this point. He's not imposing (6-1, 190 pounds) and doesn't have the elite velocity of some of the other prep arms still on the board, though it can reach 96. His curveball is one of the better ones in the prep ranks, but the changeup has a long way to go and his control still needs improvement.
34. Minnesota Twins — Charlee Soto, RHP, Reborn Christian HS (Fla.)
- Grade: A
Now, Soto is the type of gamble you take at this range. He's a perfect fit for the model-heavy Twins given his age (17) and size (6-5, 197 pounds), and the stuff is electric. He hits the upper 90s with the heater and boasts a plus slider and plus changeup, giving him a well-rounded repertoire for a high school pitcher. Soto also commands the pitches well and has an easy delivery that scouts love.
35. Miami Marlins — Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (Mass.)
- Grade: A
Another pitcher who slid down the board a bit, White is an exciting pitcher to dream on. He is the clear top high school left-handed pitcher in the draft. He runs his fastball up to 97 mph, he throws a filthy curveball in the upper 70s, and he has a changeup that is at least average. He has an easier delivery than one would expect from a 6-5, 210-pounder, but it still leads to command and control issues. There's always risk with prep pitchers, but with Soto, this is a decent wager in the comp round.
36. Los Angeles Dodgers — Kendall George, OF, Atascocita HS (Tex.)
- Grade: D
The Sporting News has George at No. 99 on its top 100 big board, making this the clear biggest reach of the draft so far. George might be the fastest runner in the prep ranks and he makes contact with his left-handed swing. The concern is that there's very little power in his 5-10, 170-pound frame, and he might not get to much more than he currently has. The speed translates to advanced defense, though his arm is below-average. It's always dangerous to doubt the Dodgers and their player development, but this is a questionable selection this early.
37. Detroit Tigers — Kevin McGonigle, SS, Monsignor Bonner HS (Pa.)
- Grade: A
McGonigle felt like a prime candidate for a team to try to float him below the first round after signing a player to an under-slot deal, and that's likely what the Tigers did following their selection of Clark at No. 3. McGonigle might have the highest floor of any high school hitter thanks to his refined hit tool. He doesn't have a ton of raw power and he isn't a burner, but that hit tool and a dependable glove at either short or second this late in the draft makes for a great pick.
38. Cincinnati Reds — Ty Floyd, RHP, LSU
- Grade: B+
The College World Series is a great time to make a lasting impression, and Floyd certainly made a great one. He struck out 17 Gators in Game 1 of the finals across eight innings and allowed just five hits. The fastball reached the upper 90s, and he paired it with a standout slider that showed plus at times. He also has a curveball and changeup to give him a well-rounded repertoire. He's a riskier pick given how inconsistent he was during the 2023 season, but pairing him with a high-floor arm like Lowder is a solid haul for the Reds, who need pitching depth.
39. Oakland Athletics — Myles Naylor, 3B, St. Joan of Arc (Ont.)
- Grade: B
It won't be a family reunion in Cleveland after all. Myles Naylor, the younger brother of Guardians bats Josh and Bo Naylor, makes it three Naylor brothers to go in the first round of MLB drafts. Myles is the most athletic of the three brothers, though his speed is still limited enough to likely shift him to third from shortstop when he reaches the pros. He has some pop in his bat, and if he can cut down on the swings-and-misses and develop more of an all-fields approach, he has the chance to be a middle-of-the-order bat.