The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft is about here… obviously, we don’t know which HBCU ballplayers will get drafted or even how many will get drafted. However, we can make a prediction as to which ones we think will come to the forefront.
With many from HBCU baseball on the MLB Draft Board, and the 20 rounds of the draft coming up next week, Black College Nines figured it’s as good of a time as any to look at potential HBCU draftees and our guestimation of where they may land during the three-day event.
There’s a strong argument that a lot of Major League front offices are transitioning away from hitters altogether and use their draft capital to bolster the organization’s pitching depth.
If from what I’m hearing is true, loading up on pitchers, HBCU baseball could have six pitchers from Black College Nines’ Top 60 draft prospects.
Pitchers like Jordan Hamburg (Two-Way Player), Xavier Meacham, Nolan Santos, Hunter Viets, Erick Gonzalez, and Nicholas Wilson seem destined according to scouting reports. So, this mock draft makes sense.
There is hope, however, that 2023 is the year we see a shift to select more from the HBCU ranks in the MLB front offices approach to their draft picks.
Drafting from historically black colleges is not new to the MLB. The question I raise is will front offices become bold with their picks making sure minor league teams’ pipeline never runs dry with HBCU prospects.
Eventually one day we could be treated to a lineup with another top pick like Southern University’s Rickie Weeks (number two overall in 2003) and Danny Goodwin, also from Southern University (number one overall in 1975). Both former HBCU players are members of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
This year’s crop of potentials like Hylan Hall, Keylon Mack, Ty Hill, O’Neill Burgos, Ty Hanchey, Randy Flores, Janmikell Bastardo, Cameron Bufford, and Cory King could form the heart of a batting order. I have no doubt these HBCU players, if drafted, could become a team’s foundation piece.
The draft starts Sunday, July 9th. Here is a list of possible selections and possible teams.
1. New York Yankees
Jordan Hamburg LHP/OF – Coppin State University. Designated Hitter, Starting Pitcher and Right fielder. Good skill in both pitching and batting. He’s athletic, has a plus breaking ball and a durable 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, plus he has a strong college pitching track record against Division I opponents. Throws hard and can hit. His register hitting in three years at Coppin, had a .337 batting average, 15 home runs, 79 runs driven in, 25 stolen bases, and 67 base on balls (walks). Register pitching, Hamburg, in 142.2 innings on the mound recorded 185 strikeouts. If given the chance could be the next Shohei Ohtani.
2. St. Louis Cardinals
Ty Hill – Jackson State University. He fits St. Louis’ profile with his hitting track record and good defense in the infield. Tremendous bat at the plate .387 batting average, 6 home runs, 53 runs batted in, and quick glove work in the infield. Hill has tremendous hitting and power potential. Could go late rounds.
3. Chicago Cubs
Nicholas Wilson RHP – Southern University. A 6’2″ 195. If the Cubs are looking for a hard-throwing RHP, Wilson fits the bill. Could blossom as a setup pitcher leading to a closer role. This past season stat line 3.22 earned run average, (6-2) in 15 appearances, 86.2 innings pitched recorded striking out 101 batters. Teams batted .241 against Wilson. Late round draft pick.
4. Houston Astros
Corey King OF – Alabama State University. The Astros could have a huge talent in outfielder King especially when he was starting to rank among the best hitters in HBCU collegiate baseball last year. Has a smooth swing and mature, all-fields approach this past season. Hit for more power this year, showing the upside of 15 doubles, 7 home runs, 50 runs batted in and was a .306 hitter. His record of success could get him in the late rounds.My guesstimate – a No. 19 or No. 20 round draft pick.
5. Atlanta Braves
Xavier Meachem RHP – North Carolina A&T State University. The Braves are focused on a future starter. I believe they will take Meachem whose draft stock rose at the MLB Combines. He could also help in relief as a setup man. Pitching velocity topped out at 97 mph in his collegiate career. If he’s still available in the late rounds, any major league team should pounce. The bottom line is that the Braves could use a middle reliever. A possible 18th round draft pick.
6. Cleveland Indians
Hylan Hall OF – Bethune Cookman University. The Indians look to beef up collegiate outfielders. A good late rounder, Hall (6’3″ 200) would be the best on the board happens to be a Florida guy. Has the speed and a plus arm in the outfield to go along with a steady bat. Plate appearance included a .356 batting average, 18 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, and 54 runs driven in.
7. Philadelphia Phillies
Hunter Viets RHP – Florida A&M University. Scouting chatter has the Phillies looking more towards collegiate arms particularly early to mid-rounds. I rank Viets as one of HBCU baseball’s top overall draft picks for 2023. Appeared in 15 games for the Rattlers. Had an 8-4 record, pitched in 90 innings. Athletic, throws in the mid to upper 90s, has one of the draft’s best breaking ball, an 88-89 mph slider, nice curveball. Fastball topped out at 97 mph has gone up since high school. Stands at 6-4, 220-pound frame. He struck out 81 batters in his senior season, registered 252 strikeouts during collegiate career. His slider can be a big part of his future.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates
Keylon Mack 1st Base – Grambling State University. The Pirates look to add a college hitter with plate discipline, more than likely suited as a lead-off hitter. At 5’10″, 220 lbs, Mack is one of the better hitters from the left side of the plate in HBCU baseball that I have seen this year. Has elite speed and the ability to cover a lot of ground at first base. His offensive success is pretty high. He’s got good pop in his swing and enough contact to tap into his power, get on base enough and play top-notch defense. He would be a steal threat for a team like the Pirates. Possible late round pick.
9. Atlanta Braves
Nolan Santos RHP – Bethune Cookman University. (6’1″ 205) has an easy delivery and consistently throws strikes using all square inch of the strike zone and outer plate for outs. Struck out many batter his entire prep and collegiate career, he induces ground outs or pop ups at a high rate. Can reach mid-90s, an excellent rate for his level. His change up, ability to spin the curveball, quality breaking pitch draws good grades and should bode well for his ability to develop with pro instruction at the next level.
10. Chicago White Sox
Erick Gonzalez – Jackson State University. (5’11” 200) A solid relief pitcher, earned run average (4.22), appearances (27) all in relief, innings pitched (53.1) and strikeouts (64) out of the bullpen. Gonzalez has been unstoppable in relief. Recorded 8 saves. His fastball has gone up. His best pitch two years ago was both fastball and change-up but he’s since refined his curveball, throws all three pitches for quality strikes. Viewed as a late round pick.
11. Milwaukee Brewers
Randy Flores – Alabama State University. (5′ 9″ 180) maintained his momentum in swiping bases. This year, he was 36 for 44 in the stolen base department. While showing plenty of range in the infield, he profiles well as a hitter with a .336 batting average, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home run and 54 runs batted in. Combined with his speed, Flores can lead-off or hit second in a lineup.
12. Kansas City Royals
Cameron Bufford – Grambling State University. (6′ 3″ 195) is probably one of the most underrated HBCU baseball player, period. Solid with very good plate discipline. This year batted .320 to go along with 15 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs and 68 runs batted in. Solid line-drive hitter with the potential to add more power when he continues playing regularly. Can drive in a ton of runs. An all-field performer. My projections… mid-to-late round pick.
13. Miami Marlins
Ty Hanchey Catcher – Florida A&M University. (5′ 11″ 175) bats left throws right is a top HBCU catcher. A very good athlete behind the plate as well as having plate appearance. Hit for a .344 average with 72 hits, scored 53 runs, 11 home runs and 48 runs batted in. Combination of power, speed and defense makes him a pro prospect. His senior season production gives promise for the next level. Excellent at framing pitches.
14. Texas Rangers
O’Neill Burgos INF – Southern University. At (6′ 1″ 215) brings a great deal of raw athleticism In the field and at the plate. His power, sound swing, bat speed and range in the infield translates to fourth or fifth hitter in the lineup in the minors. A gap-to-gap hitter, Burgos hit .294 with 8 doubles and 13 home runs this season to go along with 58 runs driven in. He could provide teams with plenty of run support.
15. Atlanta Braves
Janmikell Bastardo OF – Florida A&M University. The Braves draft athletic outfielders. Bastardo (6’3″ 230), whose 13 doubles, 13 home runs, in 58 games had 54 runs batted in this season makes him too difficult to go undrafted especially when tough non-conference opponents brought the heat and got lit up. Bastardo has been an offensive force. He hit .333 this year. Good outfielder but his bat should give him an opportunity at the next level.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks Joseph Esparza INF – Kentucky State University
17. Tampa Rays Roderick Coffee – Texas Southern University
18. Seattle Mariners Tahir Meulens – Bluefield State University
19. Cincinnati Reds Joseph Smith – Savannah State University
20. Baltimore Orioles Lavoisier Fisher – Albany State University
What round do you think Joseph Esparaza would go?