2023 MLB Draft

I'd be very surprised if Abner doesn't sign and go pro. He's not going to get opportunities as a starter and probably feels it's time to move on. Never quite lived up to his scouting report out of HS and what I witnessed in Fall '21 scrimmages- he looked like a candidate for Sunday starter in the scrimmages then his mechanics went south and couldn't work it out with the coaches. With his mechanics gone so went the confidence. And he never got it back fully and consistently- too bad he's a good guy.
I'm almost certain Echevarria is gone too.

 

Some of the top commits probably did get the word out that they preferred college - as Barco did a few years ago. Not sure about Colby- he'd jump at the opportunity to sign if drafted... big if.

 

Abner goes to the D’backs in round 6 with the 175th pick.

 

You gave me a fistbump/thanks for this info. on post #108.

 

Well, there ya go!

 

Keep in mind that in each of the last two MLB drafts, only three players drafted in the first 10 rounds ended up not signing (Sproat was actually one of the three in last year’s draft). Players put a number out on what it will take to sign and if there is a club willing to pay, then that player is then selected.

Neither Abner or Echevaria will be in Gainesville this fall.

 

Guess the Mets really wanted Sproat. That's the second time they drafted him. Never a Mets fan, but good luck to him.

 

MLB Draft Day 3 just starting at 2 pm Tuesday. I found this info. that some may find interesting:
Rounds 11-20 have brought some big-time names to Major League Baseball in Hall of Famers Andre Dawson (11th, 1975), Ryne Sandberg (20th, 1978) and Jim Thome (13th, 1989); MVPs Jose Canseco (15th, 1982), Jeff Kent (20th, 1989), Don Mattingly (19th, 1979), Dave Parker (14th, 1970) and the recently retired Albert Pujols (13th, 1999), and Cy Young Award winners Orel Hershiser (17th, 1979) and Bret Saberhagen (19th, 1982).

 

But all of these guys are before 2000. None after?

 

Ex-Gator Timmy Manning, who pitched for Arizona State this year, was drafted in the 12th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. They're into Round 13 and no current or future Gators have been picked today (so far).

 

It’s not a very big list either. There’s been thousands of guys drafted since the first one of those. It’s still interesting info.

 

Here we are thru 16 rounds and only 1 drafted. That's remarkable that Sully keeps so many. Seems the word is out to MLB executives, if you want to mess with Florida prospects, you better come loaded for bear.

 

Colby Halter goes in the 17th round to the As. Wonder if he has any interest in the As organization.

 

I surely hope he has 0 interest, would like to have him at 3rd next season .

 

Interesting that Stone Russell goes in the 18th round and he is listed as a catcher.

 

I'm thinking and hoping Halter comes back for another year to try to improve his draft stock.

 

Could this be a reason we haven't seen another catcher committed ?

 

As far as I can find, Russell primarily played SS, some 2B, in high school, travel ball and on the U.S. 18U National Team. He actually pitched a little on the National team, but no mention of him ever playing behind the plate. I think they made a mistake in the MLB draft listing.

 

Maybe they were thinking Steve Russell. Or maybe not.

 

I’m with you. I like his grit and constant effort, good team player!!