Article: 2023 MLB Draft Day 1 Thread

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Draft Day is finally upon us! You've found the right place to follow the day's events, and you're all invited to be a part of the conversation.

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp

This year’s draft will again feature just 20 rounds. Day 1, which begins tonight at 6 p.m. CT and can be viewed on ESPN and MLB Network, will include the first and second rounds as well as both competitive balance rounds and all compensation rounds. There will be 70 selections total.

The Cubs will make two picks tonight. They will draft in the first round at 13th overall and pick again at 68th overall with a draft pick they were awarded due to Willson Contreras leaving in free agency. The draft will continue on Monday with round 3, beginning at 1 p.m. CT.

We're excited to introduce the Cubs Draft Tracker which will be kept up-to-date not only during the draft but through the entire signing period. So keep coming back for updates!

There will be a lot going on during the draft both on and off this website. We will try to make updates to the story (and add links) as things happen, so keep refreshing! Hopefully there will be plenty of activity in the comments!

In the meantime, you can catch up on all of our Cubs-related draft content below:

Draft Articles and Profiles
Kevin McGonigle
Arjun Nimmala
Noble Meyer
Nolan Schanuel
Matt Shaw
Aidan Miller
Rhett Lowder
Enrique Bradfield, Jr
Jacob Gonzalez
Tommy Troy

Nygaard Mock Draft v.3

Final Consensus Big Board Update (Print it out, cross players off as they are drafted. You won't find a better resource anywhere on the web.)

Consensus Big Board Profiles: 26-50
Consensus Big Board Profiles: 1-25

View full article

[CubinNY]

I want the Cubs to take a big swing here and draft whoever they have at the top of their board of available prospects. No under slot at 13. 

[Outshined_One]

Noble and Nimmala are the two guys that would make me excited.

I'm also curious as to whether the Cubs have Cameron Johnson on their radar, since they've previously popped two other IMG pitchers (Gray and Ferris). Maybe as an underslot guy at 13?

Considering how deep this draft is, the next few days should be fun.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I’m more okay with an underslot this year than last(though Horton looks like a good pick so far regardless).  It’s a deeeep draft so that has more benefit, and at 13 it’s an extremely muddled group where it’s very likely you’re choosing between similar options.  Plus many of those options are college guys with a bit less leverage.

[Tryptamine]

Wrong thread

Edited July 9, 2023 by Tryptamine

[CaliforniaRaisin]

In year’s past, I’d create a new thread on draft day and edit the original post with Cubs picks/signing info but it looks like our new leaders will handle that in this thread.

Anyways, here’s Greg Zumach’s final mock: https://northsidebound.com/2023/07/09/north-side-bounds-2023-mlb-mock-draft-3-0-draft-day/

[CaliforniaRaisin]

3 hours ago, Outshined_One said:

Noble and Nimmala are the two guys that would make me excited.

I'm also curious as to whether the Cubs have Cameron Johnson on their radar, since they've previously popped two other IMG pitchers (Gray and Ferris). Maybe as an underslot guy at 13?

Considering how deep this draft is, the next few days should be fun.

From what I understand, the Cubs scout who signed Gray and Ferris has gone to the Dodgers. Obviously IMG is a big school the Cubs will scout thoroughly but I wonder if the new guy will have the cache to get the team to pick Johnson with a top 75 pick.

[Tryptamine]

I think this is the first draft where I don't have a guy. There's like 5 different picks I'd be cool with and, unless something crazy happens, none of the guys I really like will be there.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Final Cubs picks:

The Athletic (Keith Law, from 7/7): Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland

BA (Carlos Collazo): SS Jacob Wilson, Grand Canyon U (Dart Throw Later Picks: SS/3B Eric Bitonti, OF Duce Robinson)

ESPN (Kiley McDaniel): 2B Matt Shaw, Maryland (previously; SS Arjun Nimmala, Strawberry Crest HS (FL))

Fangraphs (Eric Longenhagen): 1B/OF Nolan Schanuel, Florida Atlantic

Joe Doyle: RHP Hurston Waldrep, Florida

MLB Pipeline (Jim Callis): 1B/OF Nolan Schanuel, Florida Atlantic

MLB Pipeline (Jonathan Mayo): SS Arjun Nimmala, Strawberry Crest HS (FL)

[Hrubes20]

I could be talked into pretty much any option at 13 that isn't one of the low exit velo hitters.  So naturally that means the Cubs will take Jacob Wilson.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Updated Kiley mock:

Quote

13. Chicago Cubs

Matt Shaw, 2B, Maryland

Aidan Miller and Arjun Nimmala are among the prep names getting buzz here but I think many of the second cut of prep guys will slide a but and the Cubs go college here.

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Eric Longenhagen’s final mock has the Cubs picking Shanuel. Lowder falls to 14, Shaw to 22, Nimmala to 35.

[Tryptamine]

As always,  please no Twitter spoilers.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

[CubinNY]

ESPN or MLB Network?

[Tryptamine]

Should be interesting once we get to #4

[CubinNY]

Max Clark goes 3. Some dude just said he would have gone 1.1 last year. 

[Tryptamine]

Rangers must be thrilled

[CaliforniaRaisin]

So after all that, the top 5 guys do indeed go in the top 5.

[CubinNY]

Langford 4. 

Did Detroit reach? 

[CubinNY]

Thank you A’s

[Tryptamine]

Just now, CubinNY said:

Langford 4. 

Did Detroit reach? 

I thought the top 3 were pretty clear, Detroit didn't 

[Hrubes20]

2 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Thank you A’s

Agreed. Wanted no part of Wilson

[CaliforniaRaisin]

31 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

ESPN or MLB Network?

ESPN. Kiley is way better than Harold and MLB doesn’t send it to Callis enough to make up the gap.