2023 MLB Mock Draft: Another look at the top-10, who’s in and who’s out?

MLB Mock Draft No. 2 — Washington Nationals select Chase Dollander

At this present moment, it’s hard to see the top two choices in the draft changing. Chase Dollander just seems like the perfect fit for a Washington Nationals team that looooooves young, ace-caliber pitching.

He has the pitching motion of Jacob deGrom and has been routinely tabbed as “the best college pitcher since Cole and Strasburg”.

Possessing a fastball that can hit 99-100mph in games, Dollander pairs it with a nasty curveball and a slider that is reportedly above-average against both righties and lefties which is an important aspect of his game.

In the past, the Nationals jumped all over Strasburg and there’s little reason to believe that they’ll pass on Dollander in favor of anyone else. That is, if the Pirates don’t snag him first.

MLB Mock Draft No. 1 — Pittsburgh Pirates select outfielder Dylan Crews

It can really go either way here. I don’t see any reality in which Crews and Dollander are not one and two in the draft.

Crews, an LSU product, is already on the fast path to stardom and has been regularly labeled as a future five-tool superstar.

The Pirates are always on the hunt for franchise outfielders (see McCutchen, Marte, Reynolds) and Crews could easily be the next guy to step up.

In 125 collegiate games, Crews hit 40 home runs and drove in 114 with a .356 batting average. On the bases, he stole 17 bags and showed an impressive instinct on when to run on opposing pitchers.

On defense, Crews plays an above-average center field and right field and will find a long-term home in one of these positions, depending on how the Pirates are looking when he’s ready to come up.