The first round of the 2023 Major League Baseball player draft is underway in Seattle, Washington.
Major League Baseball has selected pitchers from HBCUs in the last two draft classes. I don’t think that trend will change in the 2023 draft, but HBCU baseball pitchers can fill the window of logging innings or, in short relief, throw hard as a starter but can be used as either a starter, set-up pitcher, or a back-end closer.
From my scouting sources, the draft can lead to those with top potential rather than those filling a need, especially with the history of selecting college bats in the draft would lead to going after a “toolsy” HBCU player with a solid bat.
According to a recent conversation with a scout, some general managers are looking at HBCUs for either a shortstop or corner infielder with a heavy bat — a defensive infielder who can hit a ton and has the tools of a leadoff or No. 2, three, or four hitters in a lineup plus speed on the base paths.
HBCU players who have a shot
North Carolina A&T right-handed pitcher Xavier Meachem is crafty, can sit in the 90s with quality breaking stuff, throws hard and uses every square inch of the strike zone. Meachem has reached 97 mph on the radar gun during his collegiate career.
According to the Statcast standouts from the 2023 Draft Combine, Meachem had the third-highest maximum pitch spin rate during his bullpen session (2888 RPM) out of the 10 collegiate bests. His appearance at the MLB Combine has elevated his potential to be drafted in July.
Like Meachem, HBCU baseball has a number of talented all-around position players and hurlers who are high-level athletes. They grade out as average or better in all tool areas by MLB standards and are on the plus side with raw power, speed, and arm strength.
Black College Nines presents its annual pre-mock draft of HBCU Baseball players worthy of the MLB Draft.
This year’s HBCU Baseball MLB draft class is one of the strongest in years, especially with players who could find minor league spots on MLB rosters. This year there’s more draft depth, especially with hitters. The HBCU pitching crop is better than last year’s, and the hitter group is above the typical level. It has been a good year, and it was a very fun group to watch and cover this past season.
Included in this report are potential HBCU MLB draft prospects and potential draft/free-agent signees.
Our five rising HBCU players are draft eligible and already showing the potential to go in this year’s draft…
Top 5 HBCU prospects for 2023:
Jordan Hamburg – LHP/Outfielder (Coppin State)
Xavier Meachem – RHP (North Carolina A&T)
Hylan Hall – Outfielder (Bethune Cookman)
Trey Paige – Infielder (Delaware State)
Hunter Viets – RHP (Florida A&M)
Top draft/Free-agent signee:
Joseph Esparza – Infielder Kentucky State
Joe Smith – Outfielder Savannah State
Courtesy: Michael Coker, Black College Nines
