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This is the 4th edition of the 2023 class of position-by-position previews, and today we’re talking outfielders.
The most diverse and diverse position of them all, you only need to look at the first two players down the draft list to see the difference in player types you can get by comparing outfielders. increase.
Barry Bonds is probably the greatest hitter of all time, has played more home runs and walks than anyone else, and Ricky Henderson is probably the greatest leadoff man of all time, scoring and scoring more than anyone in history. Recorded stolen bases.
Depending on where you play in the outfield at the major league level, you may be placed near the top of your range (middle), near the bottom (right), or simply in a good position. Must be a hitter and in the lineup (left).
A consistent theme for amateur prospects in the outfield is the wealth of athleticism and tools found in the position. This is the case for his 2023 class, with plenty of speed and power throughout the top 100, with some proven bats sprinkled into the mix as well. A player who has all three of these abilities leads the group.
Below is an overview of the current 2023 outfielder class, including information on the current top 100 prospects, other outfielders to know about, and a 20-80 grade of positional talent compared to the average draft year. We will be reviewing these position previews at the end of the draft cycle to see if preseason grades are maintained or adjustments are needed.
Greatest Draft Outfielders of All Time (according to bWAR):
- Barry Bonds, Pirates (1985, 1st Round) — 162.8
- Ricky Henderson, A’s (1976, 4th round) — 111.1
- Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners (1987, 1st round) — 83.8
- Mike Trout, Angels (2009, 1st round) — 82.4
- Reggie Jackson, A’s (1966, 2nd round) — 74
- Rafael Palmeiro, Cubs (1985, 1st round) — 71.9
- Carlos Beltran, Royals (1995, 2nd round) — 70.1
- Tony Gwynn, Padres (1981, 3rd round) — 69.2
- Kenny Lofton, Astros (1988, 17th Round) — 68.4
- Andrew Dawson, Expos (1975, 11th round) — 64.8
- Jim Edmonds, Angels (1988, 7th Round) — 60.4
- Dave Steve, Blue Jays (1978, 5th Round) — 56.4
- Johnny Damon, Royals (1992 1st round by-pass) — 56.3
- Brian Giles, Indians (1989, 17th round) — 51.1
- Torey Hunter, Twins (1993, 1st round) — 50.7
Top drafted outfielders in the bonus pool era:
- Aaron Judge, Yankees (2013, 1st Round) — 37
- Byron Buxton, Twins (2012, 1st round) — 20.2
- Andrew Benintendi, Red Sox (2015, 1st round) — 15.7
- Michael Confort, Mets (2014, 1st Round) — 15.7
- Mitch Haniger, Brewers (2012, Suppli in 1st round) — 15.4
- Brian Reynolds, Giants (2016, 2nd round) — 13.6
- Kyle Tucker, Astros (2015, 1st round) — 12.8
- Harrison Bader, Cardinals (2015, 3rd round) — 11.7
- Ian Happ, Cubs (2015, 1st Round) — 11
- Hunter Renfro, Padres (2013, 1st round) — 10.7
Top 100 outfielders in each draft class (bonus pool era)
- 2012: 23
- 2013: 13
- 2014: 17
- 2015: 20
- 2016: 23
- 2017: 21
- 2018: 23
- 2019: 17
- 2020: 16
- 2021: 20
- 2022: 20
- 2023: 16
2023 Top 100 Outfielders:
1. Dylan Cruz, Louisiana
A top player in his class, Crewe has a tremendous offensive profile as one of the best all-around hitters in the country and is a strong tool across the board in a preseason first-team All-American. Features a set. He likes to be the number one pick.
4. Wyatt Langford, Florida
Langford doesn’t have the high school pedigree that Crews did when he got to college, but when compared tool by tool, the two SEC sluggers are closer than many might think. His power is real and he went ballistic in his 2022 historic season for the Gators. If he plays solid center field this spring, Langford will be a pretty complete player.
5. Max Clark, Franklin (Ind.) Community HS
Clark has been a class leader in high school for years, combining superior pure hitting ability with powerful auxiliary tools such as plus-plus speed, plus-plus arms, and plus-plus defensive ability in the outfield.
6. Walker Jenkins, South Brunswick HS, Southport, NC
Jenkins didn’t get to play as much as the others on the 2022 Summer Showcase circuit due to an ungulate injury, but he’s a potential plus hitter with plus power. Yes, and has the athleticism to play all three outfield positions.
11. Enrique Bradfield, Vanderbilt
Bradfield is an 80th grade runner who has been the best baserunner in college baseball since he entered the Vanderbilt campus, possessing excellent defensive prowess in center field and excellent bat-to-ball skills as a hitter. I have it. Power is a question mark for him.
34. Jack Hurley, Virginia Tech
The Hurley is an aggressive hitter with a big swing, but he also delivers overwhelming all-field power and has an all-around toolset driven by his power and running prowess.
38. Dillonhead, Homewood-Flossmoor HS, Flossmoor, Illinois.
Heads is the best-prepared outfielder in the class, second only to the top Clark/Jenkins duo, with quick contractile athleticism with a nasty offensive approach in center field and great defensive acumen.
40. Gavin Grahovac, Villa Park, CA HS
Grahoback could fit into a number of positions, including corner infield and catcher, but he’s just as likely to play in the outfield at the next level. He has a strong 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound build and power to match, with a clean right-handed swing.
43. Chase Davis, Arizona
Davis is a physical tool shed with a muscular 6-foot-1-inch 219-pound frame, easy plus raw power off the left side, and one of the best throwing arms in the class. He may be able to play center field in a pinch thanks to his speed, but he’s well profiled as a strong corner outfielder.
48. Travis Honeyman, Boston University
Honeyman is tall, slim and solidly powered, but has the potential to be even more powerful in the future thanks to his projectable build and hand speed. He’s a great fastball hitter, rarely missing a heater, but he’s been able to improve his ability to recognize and drive spin.
MLB Draft Quick Hits: LSU Outfielder Dylan Cruz
Geoff Pontes and Carlos Collazo analyze potential #1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews.
56. Ryan Lasko, Rutgers
Lasko is a well-rounded outfielder and was one of the country’s most productive hitters as he reached the semifinals for the Golden Spikes in 2022. He hits the ball in the air often, runs well, can handle all three outfield positions, and has a strong throwing arm.
62. Will Gasparino, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, CA
Gasparino grew up surrounded by the game as the son of Dodgers scouting director Billy Gasparino, and stands at 6-foot-6, 201 pounds with an athletic build and a unique combination of power and speed for a player of his size. , has a big advantage.
66. Jonny Farmelo, Westfield HS, Chantilly, Virginia.
The Falmelo is a solid blend of tool and baseball prowess, with solid strength in a slim, throwable 6’2″, 200lb frame. He controls the plate well, has a repeatable swing with excellent pitch awareness, and is an easy plus runner who can handle all three outfield positions.
86. Drew Burress, Houston County HS, Warner Robins, GA
Burles is small and short at 5-foot-9, but he’s strong enough to play beyond his size and has an endearing style of play with scouting love and impressive bat speed. . He swings with the intention of dealing damage consistently and also has an arm cannon.
90. Carter Trice, North Carolina
Trice only had a hit with Old Dominion, which earned him an invitation to join Team USA as an underclassman. With solid power and speed, he will put his attacking prowess to the test in the 2023 ACC.
Other Notable Outfielders:
- Homer Bush Jr., Grand Canyon — Bush has a big league pedigree and lots of athleticism. He’s still finding his strength, but at 6’3″ and 200 lbs, with a very protruding frame and plus speed, he should be strong enough.
- Kendall George, Atascocita HS, Humble, TX — George is a small, skinny outfielder who lacks power, but he breaks the infield defense with ground balls and bunts, and is a runner in his 80s who covers a vast ground in the outfield.
- Jared Dickie, Tennessee — Able to play all three outfield positions, Dickey still batted .380/.484/.690 with seven home runs and more walks than strikeouts when he played for Tennessee in 2022. It is possible that he will be able to catch fish again this spring.
- Dean West, Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, CA — West is a small, athletic center fielder who has shown a disciplined approach and gap-to-gap line drive swing in the past. His plus speed should allow him to be a good defensive outfielder.
- Andrew Duncan, A3 Academy, Tampa — Duncan has a solid base of tools and athleticism, plus plus running ability, solid bat speed and plus arms, but he’s still developing his overall offensive game.
- Duce Robinson, Pinnacle HS, Phoenix— There may be no player in a more athletic class than Robinson, who is one of the best football recruits in the country as a 6-foot-6-inch, 220-pound ball-hawking tight end. His footballing prowess could make him hard to come by for MLB teams.
- Drew Bratcher, South Florida — Brutcher is big and physically strong, but his power has resulted in many strikeouts in the South Florida and Cape Cod Leagues. He’s a good mover for his size, and his father was a second-round pick in his 1988 draft.
- Colton Ledbetter, Mississippi — Ledbetter should be one of the most impactful transfers in the country after showing solid batting ability, power and speed at Samford. Now at Mississippi State University, he will face the challenge of seeing more energetic speed.
- Zach Wadus, Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ — Wada can hit the ball as far as most in the 2023 Prep class and has huge left-handed power from his 6-foot-3-inch, 195-pound frame. He’ll need to try more contact to move forward, and he’s still crude as a defender.
- Jake Cunningham, Charlotte — With a strong, yet throwable, 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, solid raw power, above-average speed, and excellent defensive chances in center field, it’s easy to dream with Cunningham. The only problem is his strikeout rate.
2023 class outfield grades: 50
Dylan Cruz, Wyatt Langford, Max Clarke, and Walker Jenkins are a well-rounded and influential top four player favorites in this class at the top, but the depth of the first round is just as good. Enrique Bradfield himself is a polarizing profile, and the depth of his high school outfield seems a little thinner than most years.
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