Now that the 2023 MLB and Minor League regular seasons have concluded, let’s take a minute to do some analysis. The 2023 MLB Draft took place this past July, and most of the top players selected in it got their feet wet in the pro scene this past summer. Not to mention, some began to knock on the door of the Majors. Let’s take a look at how each first-round pick has done thus far.
Related: When & where will the 2024 MLB All-Star Game be held?
Player Stats from First-Round Picks
Here’s a look at what each first-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft did this year:
| Pick | Team | Name | Cumulative Results | Highest Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Paul Skenes | 5.40 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 10 K in 6.2 IP | AA |
| 2 |  | Dylan Crews | .299/.377/.467, 5 HR, 14 XBH, 4 SB in 35 G (159 PA) | AA |
| 3 |  | Max Clark | .224/.383/.376, 2 HR, 8 XBH, 5 SB in 23 G (107 PA) | A |
| 4 |  | Wyatt Langford | .360/.480/.677, 10 HR, 29 XBH, 12 SB in 44 G (200 PA) | AAA |
| 5 |  | Walker Jenkins | .362/.417/.571, 3 HR, 12 XBH, 6 SB in 26 G (115 PA) | A |
| 6 |  | Jacob Wilson | .333/.391/.475, 1 HR, 12 XBH, 4 SB in 26 G (111 PA) | A+ |
| 7 |  | Rhett Lowder | Did not play. | N/A |
| 8 |  | Blake Mitchell | .147/.423/.176, 0 HR, 1 XBH in 13 G (52 PA) | ROK |
| 9 |  | Chase Dollander | Did not play. | N/A |
| 10 |  | Noble Meyer | 4.09 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 15 K in 11 IP | A |
| 11 |  | Nolan Schanuel | .365/.505/.486, 1 HR, 6 XBH, 2 SB in 22 G (97 PA) (Minors) .275/.402/.330, 1 HR, 4 XBH in 29 G (132 PA) (MLB) | MLB |
| 12 |  | Tommy Troy | .271/.374/.469, 4 HR, 10 XBH, 9 SB in 27 G (115 PA) | A+ |
| 13 |  | Matt Shaw | .357/.400/.618, 8 HR, 21 XBH, 15 SB in 38 G (170 PA) | AA |
| 14 |  | Kyle Teel | .363/.482/.495, 2 HR, 8 XBH, 3 SB in 26 G (114 PA) | AA |
| 15 |  | Jacob Gonzalez | .211/.333/.260, 1 HR, 4 XBH, 1 SB in 34 G (153 PA) | A |
| 16 |  | Bryce Eldridge | .294/.400/505, 6 HR, 11 XBH, 1 SB in 31 G (130 PA) | A |
| 17 |  | Enrique Bradfield Jr. | .291/.473/.329, 0 HR, 3 XBH, 25 SB in 25 G (110 PA) | A+ |
| 18 |  | Brock Wilken | .285/.414/.473, 5 HR, 17 XBH in 47 G (203 PA) | AA |
| 19 |  | Brayden Taylor | .242/.361/.516, 5 HR, 12 XBH, 11 SB in 25 G (108 PA) | A |
| 20 |  | Arjun Nimmala | .200/.500/.320, 0 HR, 2 XBH, 1 SB in 9 G (40 PA) | ROK |
| 21 |  | Chase Davis | .212/.366/.269, 0 HR, 6 XBH, 3 SB in 34 G (131 PA) | A |
| 22 |  | Colt Emerson | .374/.496/.549, 2 HR, 12 XBH, 8 SB in 24 G (114 PA) | A |
| 23 |  | Ralphy Velazquez | .348/.393/.739, 2 HR, 5 XBH, 1 SB in 6 G (28 PA) | ROK |
| 24 |  | Hurston Waldrep | 1.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 41 K in 29. 1 IP | AAA |
| 25 |  | Dillon Head | .267/.363/.400, 1 HR, 9 XBH, 4 SB in 27 G (124 PA) | A |
| 26 |  | George Lombard Jr. | .311/.466/.356, 0 HR, 2 XBH, 4 SB in 13 G (58 PA) | A |
| 27 |  | Aidan Miller | .303/.425/.379, 0 HR, 4 XBH, 4 SB in 20 G (80 PA) | A |
| 28 |  | Brice Matthews | .208/.365/.352, 4 HR, 10 XBH, 18 SB in 35 G (156 PA) | A |
| 29 | | Jonny Farmelo | Did not play. | N/A |
| 30 | | Tai Peete | .283/.349/.404, 2 HR, 7 XBH, 6 SB in 24 G (109 PA) | A |
| 31 | | Adrian Santana | .205/.340/.256, 0 HR, 2 XBH, 3 SB in 10 G (47 PA) | ROK |
| 32 |  | Colin Houck | .241/.389/.310, 0 HR, 1 XBH, 0 SB in 9 G (36 PA) | ROK |
| 33 | | Josh Knoth | Did not play. | N/A |
| 34 | | Charlee Soto | Did not play. | N/A |
| 35 | | Thomas White | 6.23 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 7 K in 4.1 IP | A |
| 36 |  | Kendall George | .370/.458/.420, 0 HR, 5 XBH, 17 SB in 28 G (121 PA) | A |
| 37 | | Kevin McGonigle | .315/.452/.411, 1 HR, 5 XBH, 8 SB in 21 G (93 PA) | A |
| 38 | | Ty Floyd | Did not play. | N/A |
| 39 | | Myles Naylor | .214/.288/.381, 6 HR, 9 XBH, 2 SB in 34 G (139 PA) | A |
This list includes all first-round picks and Competitive Balance A (CB-A) selections. All stats are from Minor League games unless otherwise noted.
What to Make of Class So Far
Heading into the MLB Draft, the thought was that this year’s pool of talent — particularly at the top — would be deeper than what we’ve seen in years past. Much of that had to do with two top-tier high school outfielders, Walker Jenkins and Max Clark, as well as a slew of college players who didn’t have the chance to go pro due to COVID.
Thus far, the top of the 2023 MLB Draft class has performed well. The top two picks, Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews, both reach Double-A and are poised to debut at some point next year.
Former University of Florida star Wyatt Langford, meanwhile, blasted ten home runs and made it all the way to Triple-A. It’s a scary thought that the Rangers could add yet another talented bat to their lineup — and a homegrown one, at that — as early as 2024.
Outside of the top five, a slew of others impressed.
The one name that arguably stands out the most was Nolan Schanuel, who cracked the Angels’ MLB roster after a handful of games in the Minors. His hit tool stood out while in college, and Schanuel held his own in the Majors over the final few weeks.
Cubs middle infielder Matt Shaw showcased effortless power when he hit .357 with eight home runs and 15 stolen bases this season and could push his way to Chicago some time next year. Shaw did see some time at third this year, not much of a shock given that the Cubs have Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson.
Kyle Teel and Brock Wilken, two ACC stars, both made it up to Double-A this year as well.
Don’t be surprised if several other 2023 MLB Draft first-round picks join Schanuel next year.
