2023 MLB Mock Draft: A new look at the top-10 ahead of the college baseball season

MLB Mock Draft No. 8 – Kansas City Royals select pitcher Paul Skenes

Skenes, 20, spent time in college with both the Air Force and Louisiana.

A 6-foot-6 monster with an impressive repertoire highlighted by a four-seam fastball that can reach up to 99 mph, Skenes is a power pitcher and reminds many scouts of a Brady Singer-type pitcher, who the Royals are known to love.

Skenes crafted a slider and a powerful changeup to pair nicely with his heater and is said to be one of the more exciting pitchers in the whole draft class. He is a tall, imposing figure on the mound and he uses this to his advantage.

Over the course of two years in college, he made 33 appearances (15 starts) and went 11-4 with a 2.72 ERA in 112 innings. Along the way, he struck out 126 and walked just 39 batters, allowing only seven home runs.

MLB Mock Draft No. 7 – Cincinnati Reds select infielder Jacob Gonzalez

Gonzalez has been tabbed as the best infield prospect available in this year’s draft class. So the question will be asked, how does he fall all the way to No. 7? Well, it’s simple. The class is absolutely stacked to the brim with outfield talent.

A product of Mississippi, Gonzalez quietly hit 30 home runs and drove in 107 runs across over 130 games in college. He showed off a highly-impressive eye at the plate as well, drawing 88 walks and striking out only 66 times.

If there’s a hole in Gonzalez’s game to be found, scouts are saying that his defense could use some work. He is currently a shortstop by trade but many are predicting a move to third down the line, where his sometimes questionable range will not be as exposed. The throwing arm is there, though, which could mean he’ll be a solid third baseman down the line.