Impromptu Mock Draft

The image above is premature … until MLB games conclude on Sunday July 9th, even the order in which HumBabe Dynasty team’s pick could change from what’s portrayed above. But it would be a missed opportunity if a 2023 FYP Mock Draft wasn’t put out into the universe… so here you go.

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CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIVE HUMBABE DRAFT ROOM

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Analysis of the Top 8

Dylan Crews, OF, LSU – regarded as the consensus top overall talent in the 2023 MLB First Year Player draft, Dylan Crews possesses a 70-grade Hit tool and all the markers of a future MLB stud. Do those tools translate to the fantasy baseball game? 70-grade Hit, 60-grade Power, and 60-grade Speed translates to anything and everything. Team context doesn’t play too much of a factor either, whether he’s selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates or Washington Nationals come Sunday afternoon, his road to the Show should be equally expedited. What may play a factor in this HumBabe 1-1 Draft decision however, is his teammate at LSU…

Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU – potential to be a generational talent on the mound. With a similar story to Jacob deGrom, in the sense that he wasn’t a pitcher until a coach moved him there late in his career, Skenes hurls an 80-grade fastball over 100mph and supplements it with a 70-grade Slider, a 50-grade Changeup, and 55-grade Control. If he lands in the front-end of a MLB Starting Rotation, his value in the HumBabe Dynasty could be priceless. Pitching prospects are always tricky though. Take Stephen Strasburg, take MacKenzie Gore, take your pick… Pitching is typically more likely to bust than Hitting. Nonetheless, this arm is a good one to take that chance one. Null-and-void at this point, but a fun fact: Paul Skenes was a two-way player through his Junior season at LSU, ultimately putting the bat down because of his prestige on the mound. But as a hitter-only, he still projected as a Top 3 Round pick in the MLB draft.

Max Clark, OF, Franklin HS (IN) – a Vanderbilt commit that may be in the conversation for MLB’s first overall draft pick, if the Pirates want to conserve their Bonus Pool money instead of paying Dylan Crews or Paul Skenes full slot. A smooth left-handed swing showcases his plus-plus hit tool, on top of his first class speed and arm strength. Projected to stay in Centerfield for the long haul, Clark will most likely sit in a HumBabe Minor League roster spot for a longer duration than the college athletes, but he’s a smart investment nonetheless.

Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida – conveniently, this Florida Gator is predicted to become a member of the Florida Squeeze come Draft Day. Another formitable college bat in this year’s Draft Class, Langford arguably offers the best Power tool – which translates beautifully to the fantasy baseball world. Raw power scouts at the 65-grade mark, but don’t mistake this guy as a typical bruiser that can’t run – he’s a 55-grade runner as well.

Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon – a hometown pick for those HumBabe General Manager’s that reside in the Arizona valley. Grand Canyon University’s baseball program has been on the up-and-up for a few seasons, and Jacob Wilson will be the first fruit-of-labor in terms of MLB Draft pedigree. Son to former MLB All-Star, Jack Wilson, Jacob’s baseball IQ and plus-plus hit tool produced a sophomore season of 275 plate appearances with just seven strikeouts. Without the top-percentile sprint speed that solidifies him as a long-term shortstop, some questions have arose about the possibility of playing third base. He played third base as a freshman in college, and given scouts see no issues with his bat holding up at third, Wilson makes for a great 1st Round pick in both the MLB and HumBabe Draft formats.

Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee – an up-and-down 2023 collegian season for Dollander allowed Paul Skenes to dethrone him as the best pitching prospect in this year’s draft, but Dollander hasn’t lost his shine for the MLB teams selecting early in the 1st Round. The arsenal includes: Fastball-70, Curveball-50, Slider-60, Changeup-55, Control-55. His slide down the draft board has mostly been due to faltering command in the latter half of his college career; something, that you’d think, could be easily rectified with Major League guidance.

Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick HS (NC) – another High School left-handed bat, that has jolted himself into the conversation for landing atop the MLB Draft Board. Jenkins is currently ranked ahead of Max Clark in the MLB Draft Prospect rankings and owns 60-Hit, 60-Power, 55-Run, 60-Arm, and 55-grade Field tools. Perhaps the first difference you’ll notice between Clark and Jenkins is the size advantage for the latter. Walker Jenkins can play anywhere in the outfield at 6′-3″ 210lbs, two inches taller and twenty pounds heavier than Clark.

Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest – the second arm that surpassed Dollander in pitching prospect ranks leading up to this point in Draft preparation, Lowder is known for his Changeup. A 60-grade pitch that clocks in the mid-80’s with excellent movement, Lowder can pull the string against both righty and lefty hitters – a luxury at the pro-level. The most significant attraction in this profile is how high the floor is; an easy mid-rotation guy when he gets to the Show, with potential to grow into more.

The Other Predictions

Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)

Kyle Teel, C, Virgina

Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Ole Miss

Arjun Nimmala, SS, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)

Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt

Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS (GA)

Aidan Miller, SS, Mitchell HS (FL)

Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida