2023 MLB Mock Draft 2.0: A surprise No. 1 pick?

2023 MLB Mock Draft: Predicting 1-10

Miami has been developing pitching over the last decade with arms in their rotation like Braxton Garrett, Eury Perez and Edward Cabrera. White, a high school arm out of of Massachusetts that stands at 6’5 with a fastball that touches 96-97 and has good mechanics for his size. He is considered the best prep arm in the draft.

Why a prep pitcher over a bat? Last season, the Marlins selected Jacob Berry out of LSU, who will more than likely be a DH in his pro career. Right now, for High-A Beloit, he is off to a slow start, batting just .186.  The Marlins, according to Keith Law of the Athletic, have been reported to be scouting White heavy.

Something else to consider, the Marlins do have the 35th overall pick in the Competitive Balance Round, so drafting White to then perhaps get a bat could also be a play Miami could do. White still will be growing in his 6’5 frame, so the upside may be too hard to ignore.

In baseball, teams tend to draft on upside and talent, compared to the NFL, where it is often the case for drafting for position. For Colorado, some of their better prospects are positional players, and Dollander would be a significant gain to a group that is thin on pitching depth.

Despite the pedestrian like numbers compared to his 2022 season, Dollander has tremendous upside, with a fastball with good riding action that tops at 99 with a slider that has some sweeping action to it. According to several reports, the Rockies have been scouting him heavy, and both Keith Law and MLB Pipeline have him going at 9.

The only other arm that could go here could be Hurston Waldrep, the right-hander out of the University of Florida.

The Royals farm system needs a bit of everything. Various mock drafts have them slated to take shortstop Jacob Wilson, another shortstop out of Grand Canyon. Whomever KC picks here in either Gonzalez or Turner, both have tremendous offensive upside.

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The Reds have a host of prospects, including Elly De La Cruz, who might soon become regular contributors. With Lowder, who has a steady constant for Wake Forest, he has the potential to rise quickly through the system.