Here's the best Draft prospect from each state

July 6th, 2023

There are tons of fun storylines to follow in the 2023 MLB Draft, set to begin with the first round Sunday in Seattle. Who will go first to the Pirates? Will Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews become the first pair of teammates to go back-to-back with the first two picks? Will there be any Draft shockers -- or better yet, what will the Draft shockers be this year?

Here is one many fans from all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, will consider -- who’s getting drafted from my area?

To help, here are the top 2023 Draft prospects from every state, using MLB Pipeline’s Top 250 rankings and assistance from scouts and other experts.

Click on the state name to see eligible Draft prospects from each state. (Note: not every state has a player likely to be considered during this year’s 20-round Draft process.)

Alabama: Grayson Hitt, LHP, Alabama (No. 88)
After two inconsistent seasons with the Crimson Tide, the 6-foot-3 left-hander looked like he’d turned a corner in last year’s fall ball with a 93-97 mph fastball, upper-80s cutter and mid-80s slider that all received above-average grades. However, he still struggled some with control (25 walks in 38 2/3 innings) this spring and underwent Tommy John surgery in April. An optimistic club will try to build on Hitt’s arsenal improvements once he’s healthy.

Alaska: None

Arizona: Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon (No. 10)
The son of 12-year Major Leaguer Jack Wilson, the younger shortstop possesses one of the best hit tools in the class, having struck out only five times in 217 plate appearances while hitting .412 this spring. While he plays a solid shortstop, Wilson has enough arm to play third should he need to move in the Minors, but it’s the ability to find the barrel that will play anywhere.

Arkansas: Jace Bohrofen, OF, Arkansas (No. 66)
After two relatively down years at Oklahoma and Arkansas, the left-handed slugger broke out with a .318/.436/.612 line and career-best 16 homers for the Razorbacks in 2023. Bohrofen has plenty of pop from the left side, but his high rate of swing-and-miss will likely keep him from climbing much higher on Draft boards. The 21-year-old projects as an average defensive corner outfielder.

California: Tommy Troy, SS, Stanford (No. 17)
Troy married good pitch recognition skills with improving pop to hit .394/.478/.699 with 17 homers this spring for the Cardinal. It’ll likely be the right-handed slugger’s hitting ability that stands out most at the next level, but he could be an average power hitter in time too. As an above-average runner, Troy has experience at short, third, second and the outfield, giving future clubs options.

Canada: Myles Naylor, 3B, St. Joan of Arc (Ont.) (No. 64)
The Guardians already boast Josh and Bo Naylor. Would they consider completing the trifecta? The youngest Naylor brings above-average power potential from the right side but will need to work on his pitch recognition in the pros to get the most out of it. A high-school shortstop, the Texas Tech commit will likely move to third, where his 55-grade arm will be useful.

Colorado: Walker Martin, SS, Eaton HS (No. 30)
Colorado hasn’t had a prep hitter go in the first five rounds since Greg Bird in 2011, but Martin – a left-handed slugger with 55-grade power and room to add more – is poised to break that streak comfortably. The 6-foot-2 infielder might profile best as a third baseman in the Minors as he fills out, but his ability to make hard contact against impressive arms will be enough to get him early consideration.

Connecticut: Hiro Wyatt, RHP, Staples HS (No. 234)
Don’t let Wyatt’s 6-foot-1 frame fool you. The right-hander ran his fastball velo up to 97 mph this spring, and he showcased a promising sweeping slider that earned 55 grades from some scouts too. He’s committed to USC and could head there should clubs decide they want a longer look at his starting chances.

Delaware: Tyler August, RHP, Delaware Military Academy
The 6-foot-2 right-hander was the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year in his home state, having struck out 87 batters in 49 innings through his first 19 games. He has the arm strength with a fastball that can touch 96 mph and the makings of a slider, but a high-effort delivery will likely send him to honor his commitment at Delaware.

District of Columbia: Jake Bloss, RHP, Georgetown (No. 178)
The 2023 Big East Pitcher of the Year posted a 2.58 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings for the Hoyas in the spring. Bloss works with a full four-pitch repertoire, headlined by a good riding fastball around 93 mph and a mid-70s curveball that can get whiffs. His command improved enough in school to get him a starting chance in a pro organization.

Florida: Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida (No. 3)
With a relaxed setup at the plate and plenty of strength, Langford made a habit of crushing baseballs in Gainesville, hitting 20-plus homers in both 2022 and 2023. His .784 slugging percentage ranked ninth in the country this spring. He’s an above-average runner but played left field in ’23, making his future defensive fit the biggest question mark on his profile. There aren’t many others though, leading to widespread belief he’ll be a Top 3 pick come Sunday.

Georgia: Colin Houck, SS, Parkview HS (No. 12)
A quarterback with Power 5 offers, Houck is an offensive standout from the right side with plenty of raw power that plays especially well to his pullside. He can shoot the ball the other way too, and it’s that ability to hit the ball hard that leads some scouts to believe he’ll be an above-average hitter in time. The 18-year-old is athletic enough for short but could be a true defensive standout if he needs to slide to third.

Hawaii: Devin Saltiban, OF, Hilo HS (No. 182)
Saltiban has a history of working with Kaha Wong (father of Kolten and Kean) to develop promising bat speed as a right-handed-hitting outfielder. The Aloha State native helped his exposure with a stint in the MLB Draft League at just 18 years old and a move to the MLB Combine in Arizona. His above-average speed gives him a chance to stick in center.

Idaho: Roberto Orloski, RHP, Middleton HS
The 6-foot-3 right-hander gained velocity as a senior and is now usually around 88-93 mph with his fastball. He’ll show an average fading changeup and flip between a curveball and slider depending on how either is working that day. None of the four pitches look better than average, but it’s a four-pitch starter’s kit for the University of Texas at San Antonio commit.

Illinois: Dillon Head, OF, Homewood-Flossmoor HS (No. 27)
The 80-grade speed will grab plenty of headlines wherever Head lands, but the 6-foot Clemson commit also draws strong reviews to put the balls in the gaps and take advantage of those wheels. He could end up being a plus defensive center fielder too with above-average arm strength.

Iowa: Ty Langenberg, RHP, Iowa
Langenberg put himself on a lot of radars by striking out 33 and walking only four in 21 1/3 innings on the Cape last summer but put up more mundane numbers (4.15 ERA, 86 K, 34 BB in 78 innings) for the Hawkeyes this spring, hurting his stock. His fastball sits 90-92 with some carry and is complemented by two mid-80s pitches in his slider and changeup.

Indiana: Max Clark, OF, Franklin HS (No. 5)
Clark has a legitimate claim as Indiana’s best-ever high-school position-player prospect, thanks to his line-drive-heavy hit tool, plus-plus speed, well-above-average arm and strong defensive skills. Right now, Gary Thurman (1983, 21st overall) is the highest-selected prep bat from the state, but Clark could comfortably beat that by at least 15 spots given his potential.

Kansas: Nick Goodwin, SS, Kansas State (No. 163)
The right-handed slugger showed decent pop in Manhattan, clearing double-digit homers in each of his three seasons on campus. He most recently posted a .285/.394/.511 line in 59 games this spring but despite a 37/36 K/BB ratio, he’s still seen as a power-over-hit type who will likely need to move out of short in the pros.

Kentucky: Jack Payton, C, Louisville (No. 148)
The Cardinals have created quite the lineage of backstops between Will Smith, Henry Davis and now Dalton Rushing, and Payton could be next in line. The 21-year-old mixes good plate discipline with an ability to drive the ball with authority, but a lack of arm strength and questionable receiving could see him in a position in the pros.

Louisiana: Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU (No. 1)
Skenes just nipped past teammate Dylan Crews for the top spot in the MLB Pipeline rankings, and he may be the Draft’s best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg. The 6-foot-6 right-hander can touch triple-digits with ease, and his upper-80s slider draws plus-plus grades. He’ll have a case to be the Minors’ best arm instantly upon signing.

Massachusetts: Thomas White, LHP, Phillips Academy (No. 24)
The Bay State native has size at 6-foot-5 and a pair of above-average pitches in his fastball that touches 97 and his high-spin curveball. His low-80s changeup also showed evaluators enough to project as a future average offering. That combination of frame and stuff could get White looks in the back of the first round, though a late rough outing in front of scouts could affect thinking.

Maryland: Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland (No. 16)
Coming off a summer of 2022 when he was named Cape League MVP, Shaw sent his stock climbing higher by hitting .341/.445/.697 with 24 homers and 18 steals in 62 games this spring. A strong approach mixed with good opposite-field power makes the Terrapins star a well-rounded offensive threat, and he has the plus speed to steal bags too. His arm is considered his only below-average tool.

Maine: Quinn McDaniel, 2B, Maine
McDaniel posted a .513 on-base percentage this spring, and beyond possession patience and good bat-to-ball skills, he showed some decent power in Orono too with 16 homers in 53 games. His arm makes him best-suited for second base.

Michigan: Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State (No. 46)
A wrist injury may have hampered Jebb’s junior numbers a bit, but the Spartans infielder still hit .337/.438/.495 in 50 games. He has a knack for putting the bat on the ball, sometimes to the detriment of his walk rate and power production, and his 65-grade wheels should make him a menace on the basepaths at any level.

Minnesota: George Klassen, RHP, Minnesota (No. 190)
The 6-foot-2 has some truly special stuff with a fastball capable of touching triple-digits while showing tough, running action and two above-average breakers in his slider and curveball. That arsenal comes with a high-effort delivery, and Klassen’s control falters as a result. The heater alone will get him in plenty of Draft Day conversations though.

Missouri: Nazzan Zanetello, SS, Christian Brothers HS (No. 52)
The Arkansas commit is no stranger to performing on big stages with notable performances at the Breakthrough Series, PDP League and 18U World Cup qualifiers last year. A right-handed hitter, he shows promising bat speed already that helps him turn on balls and show above-average power potential. He should also be a solid runner with enough arm to stay on the left side of the infield.

Mississippi: Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi (No. 18)
A key member of Ole Miss’ 2022 national title team, Gonzalez could be the school’s first-ever position-player first-rounder. He stopped gunning for homers this spring and got on base more as a result, helping to boost his Draft stock. The lefty hitter has the strength and launch angle to still be a 20-homer threat, but the adjustments toward being a well-rounded bat should serve him well long-term.

Montana: None

Nebraska: Brice Matthews, SS, Nebraska (No. 57)
After going deep 12 times combined in his first two seasons on campus, Matthews exploded for 20 homers and a .359/.481/.723 line over 54 games as a junior this spring. He has the exit velocities to back up that production, and the power plays especially well to his pullside. Scouts have some concerns about his whiffs on pitches in the zone and his chances to stick at short due to arm accuracy.

Nevada: Kade Morris, RHP, Nevada (No. 142)
After pitching in relief for the Wolf Pack for two years, Morris joined the rotation this season and got strikeouts (85 in 81 1/3 innings) but looked hittable (5.42 ERA, 1.51 WHIP). He sits around 93 but can touch 96 with his fastball, and his changeup earns above-average grades with the way he sells it with good arm speed. He might need to choose between his slider and curve when he reaches pro ball.

New Jersey: Steven Echavarria, RHP, Millburn HS (No. 60)
The Florida commit started hitting 96 more consistently in 2023, even touching 98 at times. He’ll also mix in a low-90s two-seamer, two breaking balls in his slider and curve and the makings of a change. Echavarria doesn’t turn 18 until August, making him one of the younger players in the class. Plan on lots more development ahead.

New Mexico: Steven Milam, SS/2B, Centennial HS (No. 105)
Standing at just 5-foot-8, Milam has stood out to scouts for his ability to spray the ball all over the yard as a switch-hitter. He relies on contact more than slug but should get enough hits to be valuable at the plate. Milam’s quick actions could keep him at short in the pros, but average speed and arm strength might move him to second long-term.

New York: Sammy Stafura, SS, Panas HS (No. 32)
Stafura could be the rare (but increasingly less so in the modern game) power-over-hit shortstop, thanks to the strength he added over his final prep years. His near-plus-plus wheels have helped some scouts believe he’ll stick to the six moving forward, and his power-speed combo could make him an electric pro prospect, should he loosen up his stiff swing at the plate.

North Carolina: Walker Jenkins, OF, South Brunswick (No. 4)
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, the left-handed slugger already exhibits the strength and bat speed needed for plus power that could play quickly on the pro side. The hard contact gives Jenkins a chance to possess a plus hit tool too, and he has enough speed that his future organization will likely keep him in center for as long as possible. He could be North Carolina’s first prep bat to go in the first five picks since Josh Hamilton went first overall in 1999.

North Dakota: Carson Jacobs, RHP, North Dakota State
The 6-foot-9 hurler sits 90-94 with his fastball but can run it up to 97 on occasion. He also wields a low-80s gyro slider for another look. The 21-year-old’s 41 walks in 41 innings this spring left a lot to be desired, though, and any organization would be betting purely on his size and stuff.

Ohio: Colt Emerson, SS/3B, Glenn HS (No. 29)
A showcase-circuit standout, Emerson has displayed an advanced bat in the prep ranks, one that can drive the ball all over the yard. He has enough power to project for 20-plus homers but will need to play into his pullside pop more to make that happen. A shortstop in school, Emerson got third base experience with Team USA last fall and might profile best there with above-average throwing ability.

Oklahoma: Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Oklahoma State (No. 67)
A one-year standout at Long Beach State, Watts-Brown transferred to Oklahoma State for 2022-23 and led the Big 12 with 124 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings. (His 5.03 ERA wasn’t nearly as pretty.) He earns his best grades on a plus mid-80s slider that he commands well, while his low-80s curve is also considered above-average. He’ll need to do more with his 90-93 mph fastball to repeat the whiffs at the next level.

Oregon: Noble Meyer, RHP, Jesuit HS (No. 8)
The best prep pitcher in the class, Meyer has touched triple-digits out of his 6-foot-5 frame at times this spring. His mid-80s slider also gets strong reviews for its two-plane movement and bite, while his changeup shows enough promising fade to be at least an average pro pitch. Some high-picking teams might shy away from high-school arms, but those willing to consider one will give Meyer a long look.

Pennsylvania: Kevin McGonigle, SS/2B, Monsignor Bonner HS (No. 33)
McGonigle knows how to put bat on ball as well as anyone in this Draft class, earning a 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale already for his hit tool. The left-handed slugger attacks pitches he can drive, even early in counts, and he showed decent power in summer showcases. A lack of range might move him over to second in pro ball, but the bat should play anywhere.

Puerto Rico: Jandaniel Gonzalez, C, Anita Otero Hernandez HS (No. 213)
The Indiana State commit has two solid tools already in his raw power from the left side and his plus arm strength from behind the dish. His overall catching skills draw solid reviews for a teenager, and he should be at least average there with development time. Gonzalez battled a knee injury that limited some of his looks but helped his Draft case with a Combine appearance.

Rhode Island: Alex Clemmey, LHP, Bishop Hendricken HS (No. 50)
Along with White, Clemmey gives New England two impressive left-handed pitchers from the prep ranks. The 6-foot-6 hurler already features a fastball that can touch 98-99 and works well up in the zone, and his 79-82 mph breaking ball earns plus grades, even though its shape varies from a curveball to a slider. He’s battled inconsistencies in his delivery that could give evaluators pause, but the intriguing pieces are there for the Vanderbilt commit.

South Carolina: Caden Grice, 1B/LHP, Clemson (No. 118)
It’ll be interesting to hear how Grice’s name is announced whenever he’s selected in the days ahead. The winner of the John Olerud Award (given to college baseball’s best two-way player) has near-top-of-the-scale raw power but real swing-and-miss concerns, especially against softer stuff. On the bump, he sits in the low-90s and will exhibit an above-average slider and 50-grade changeup. A full-time focus on one or the other could unlock larger potential in the pros.

South Dakota: Jack Radel, RHP, Sioux Falls Roosevelt HS
The 6-foot-5 right-hander already throws a fastball in the 88-94 mph area, and there’s thought that he could add velo with some projection remaining in his tall frame. Radel also flashes a decent slider in the mid-80s and has enough athleticism that throwing strikes shouldn’t be an issue. He’ll likely get more Draft exposure when he heads to Notre Dame next year.

Tennessee: Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee (No. 9)
Dollander will be one of the most fascinating first-round follows this year. On a stuff level, he’s one of the best arms in this class with a 95-97 mph fastball, plus slider and above-average changeup. But he was inconsistent as a junior, especially when it came to his control, and that dropped him from the No. 1 overall conversation. His new organization will hope it can get him back to ace-level form at the next level.

Texas: Blake Mitchell, C, Sinton HS (No. 14)
Mitchell won Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Texas in 2022 and 2023, so he heads to the Draft with plenty of momentum. The left-handed slugger shows a patient approach at the plate and plenty of power to punish mistakes when he gets them. The LSU commit’s best reviews come for his plus-plus throwing arm, which will be valuable as controlling the running game becomes more important, but he’s working against a rough development for first-round prep catchers.

Utah: Ryder Robinson, SS, American Fork HS
Robinson was named Gatorade Player of the Year too in his home state, having led American Fork to a Class 6A state title. He batted .466 with eight homers and only three strikeouts over 130 plate appearances and will head to TCU in the fall should he go undrafted or unsigned.

Virginia: Kyle Teel, C, Virginia (No. 7)
Teel served as a three-year starter in Charlottesville and truly blossomed this spring with a .407/.475/.655 line and career-high 13 homers in 65 games, though some scouts expect he’ll be hit-over-power in the next stage of his career. He draws raves for his athleticism behind the dish and showed good arm strength by throwing out 38.5 percent of attempted basestealers as a junior.

Vermont: Ben Alekson, RHP, Peoples Academy
Named this year’s Gatorade Player of the Year in the Green Mountain State, the 6-foot-3 right-hander sits in the upper-80s with plenty of room to add more velo and flashes a slider. The Fairfield joined Vermont in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League this summer and has nine strikeouts over six scoreless innings in his first two appearances.

Washington: Kiefer Lord, RHP, Washington (No. 127)
A one-time Division III hurler, Lord has put himself squarely on the map with a 93-95 mph fastball that features enough carry to get whiffs up in the zone. He leans on the pitch a lot but will also show some feel for spin with a slider and curve. He’ll need to prove the stuff can hold up over a long season after his arsenal wavered a bit as a junior.

Wisconsin: Cal Fisher, SS/2B, Deerfield HS (No. 154)
Fisher won himself some scouting fans by showing a promising ability to hit screaming liners around the park both back home and in showcases, like the Area Code Games where he was named MVP. He can get a little too swing-happy at times in an attempt to play into that strength. The Florida State commit can make plays at short but is a better long-term fit at second base.

West Virginia: Carlson Reed, RHP, West Virginia (No. 196)
A closer for the Mountaineers, Reed showed a terrific mid-80s changeup for his true plus pitch and a mid-80s slider with good spin rates. His fastball sits in the 94-95 mph range too, giving him another above-average pitch. The right-hander has struggled with control, however, and has been pitching in the MLB Draft League to bump his stock this summer.

Wyoming: Colter McAnelly, SS/RHP, Cheyenne East HS
The 6-foot-3 right-hander played both ways in school but stuck out more on the mound. He throws in the 86-92 mph range with his fastball while showing a fringy breaking ball and changeup. McAnelly is committed to Utah.