2023 MLB Draft Thread

24. Braves: Bryce Eldridge, 1B/RHP, Madison HS, Vienna, Va. (No. 21)
A legit two-way guy who nearly everyone likes as a hitter at the next level, Eldridge could very easily be long gone by now. The Braves could then consider Mitchell, Lombard or Head if they want to stick with a prep bat.
 
Tapate50 said:
24. Braves: Chase Davis, OF, Arizona

Davis may have the most steam of any player mentioned in the first round of the 2023 MLB draft. He’s improved at the plate in so many areas. He has displayed an ability to hit for average and a lot of power this season. He also has really improved his plate discipline.
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If there is 1 thing I am confident of, it's that the Braves won't draft an OF with their first pick.
 
There look to be so many prep SS available late in the first round that it might be hard to go any other way.
 
Carp said:
If there is 1 thing I am confident of, it's that the Braves won't draft an OF with their first pick.
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You're probably right. Teams in MLB don't (or at least shouldn't) draft for need so I think it's wide open for what direction the Braves might take. That said, the dearth of hitting prospects currently in the system (especially the OFs on the full-season rosters) may point toward taking a bat early. Some swing concerns with Davis (and he's probably limited to LF), but he projects as a power hitter and the front office seems to value that highly.

Lots of high school middle infielders in that seem to fall in the range where the Braves will be drafting and that's showing up in a lot of mocks.
 
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Hulavol said:
Yeah- and thing is, at big club level, we don’t have a pressing need for a young bat - just about every position is locked up for years to come - the need remains elite pitching
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Elite pitching? I guess but you can't really draft for that in the 20s though.
 
Heyward said:
Getting Harris was a win in itself regardless of what the rest of the draft was. That Strider/Elder/Shuster draft was crazy, getting 3 SP's in one draft with like 5 picks total given the Covid year is crazy. Having Shea and using him to get Olson as our 1B of the future was a W as well.
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His thing is pretty much hating on the draft regardless of the outcome.

The draft os a crapshoot and a lot of the Braves success down the draft is a result of not putting their eggs in one or two baskets at the top.

Expecting high hit rates or superstars in each draft is a little unreasonable.
 
Southcack77 said:
His thing is pretty much hating on the draft regardless of the outcome.

The draft os a crapshoot and a lot of the Braves success down the draft is a result of not putting their eggs in one or two baskets at the top.

Expecting high hit rates or superstars in each draft is a little unreasonable.
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Exactly. Part of the strategy is drafting underslot guys early so they can use that money later. It’s working, even if some of the 1st rounders are underwhelming. Trying way too hard to be a contrarian and failing miserably
 
Super said:
Exactly. Part of the strategy is drafting underslot guys early so they can use that money later. It’s working, even if some of the 1st rounders are underwhelming. Trying way too hard to be a contrarian and failing miserably
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I agree. Our strategy isn't perfect, but we are churning out MLB players at one of the best rates in baseball. We identify undervalued guys early in the draft who will sign for slot/under slot and save money to throw at multiple harder sign HS guys down the draft a bit.
 
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Carp said:
I agree. Our strategy isn't perfect, but we are churning out MLB players at one of the best rates in baseball. We identify undervalued guys early in the draft who will sign for slot/under slot and save money to throw at multiple harder sign HS guys down the draft a bit.
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Elder and Strider coming out of such recent drafts to be huge pieces in the rotation, it’s hard to overstate the importance of that. It’s incredibly hard to find good SP, even guys good enough to be backend. Getting a stud and also Elder and having them rocket through the system is impressive.
 
Super said:
Elder and Strider coming out of such recent drafts to be huge pieces in the rotation, it’s hard to overstate the importance of that. It’s incredibly hard to find good SP, even guys good enough to be backend. Getting a stud and also Elder and having them rocket through the system is impressive.
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And Shuster seems likely to at least be a back end guy. Maybe not with us, but I think he sticks around the majors for awhile. That's 2 quality ML SP and 1 probable ML SP all in the same draft. A 5 round draft no less. Just crazy.
 
Carp said:
And Shuster seems likely to at least be a back end guy. Maybe not with us, but I think he sticks around the majors for awhile. That's 2 quality ML SP and 1 probable ML SP all in the same draft. A 5 round draft no less. Just crazy.
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That draft was insane and has outpaced most of our full drafts.
 
Carp said:
I agree. Our strategy isn't perfect, but we are churning out MLB players at one of the best rates in baseball. We identify undervalued guys early in the draft who will sign for slot/under slot and save money to throw at multiple harder sign HS guys down the draft a bit.
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I think I have been one of the most vocal critics of many recent draft classes and I cant complain about the results.
 
I agree, I hate low ceiling first round picks. Good utility players and back end of the rotation starters are nice but that shouldnt be our goal with first round picks.
 
I don’t think that’s “the goal” it’s just the way it happened at times. Shuster had helium and the Braves could save money by taking him, probably thinking he’s a backend guy at worst if he doesn’t maintain his top velocity. And whatever, it worked.
 
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