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4 prospects the Detroit Tigers could take with the third pick in the 2023 MLB Draft

By Matthew Scheidel |
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Now that we know where the Detroit Tigers will pick, who could they take with their first-round pick in 2023?

The Detroit Tigers were lucky enough to land the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft in the draft lottery Tuesday. They will get their chance at some top talent. Fortunately for them, there's a lot to choose from, especially from the college ranks.

College hitters especially are in abundance for this draft. Four of the projected top 10 players for 2023 are college hitters. This is great news for a team that needs young hitting talent, fast.

It may seem early for draft talk being seven months away from the draft, and things could (and most likely will) change drastically between now and July, but draft talk is fun. We're going to look at a few players the Tigers could take at No. 3 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Let's get started.

OF Dylan Crews, LSU

As of writing this, Crews is the consenus No.1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, but that could easily change in the next seven months. Nobody expected Jackson Holliday to go No. 1 this time last year, and nobody had the Tigers picking Jackson Jobe at No. 3 in 2021.

Crews could have been drafted pretty high out of high school, but he skipped it and decided to go to LSU, where he's been a star. In his first two years of college, Crews has hit 40 home runs and slashed .356/.458/.677, as well as walking at a 13.6% clip. He's an incredibly impressive prospect.

Here's what Joe Doyle of Prospects Live had to say about him in a recent mock draft:

"...Crews has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order slugger with the potential to play a plus right field. In this case, we’re taking the 5-tool guy that can play every single day."
Joe Doyle, Prospects Live

It's easy to see why Crews is the current consensus top guy. He seems like a can't-miss type of prospect, and those don't come around very often. The question for the Detroit Tigers is how likely is it that Crews is there when they pick at No. 3 overall?

Right now, again, it seems unlikey. But on the other hand, like we've already said, there's still seven months until the draft. Teams could either fall out of love with Crews or fall in love with other players, such as Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander or prep outfielder Max Clark.

Crews would obviously be a fantastic addition to the Tigers farm system. An outfielder who hits for power, runs well, and walks? Count me in. Time will tell whether he's there when the Tigers are on the clock or not.

SS Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss

Gonzalez was mocked to the Detroit Tigers in that very same mock draft from Prospects Live. He's hit .316/.424/.560 with 30 homers in two years at Ole Miss. He's also an on-base machine, walking 88 times compared to just 66 strikeouts over those same two years.

Here's what Doyle had to say about Gonzalez:

Gonzalez fits the new Scott Harris mold beautifully with an 87 percent contact rate in 2022, coupled with above average-to-plus exit velocities. He’s an average shortstop now, though he may outgrow the position. That said, he’s more than athletic enough to stay on the dirt. Gonzalez is one of the rare prospects with a high floor and an intriguing blend of upside and up-the-middle value.
Joe Doyle, Prospects Live

High contact rate, more walks than strikeouts, plays shortstop, and a high floor? Where do we sign up?

Hold on a sec. Let's emamine him further. Here's what his swing looks like:

It almost looks like a mix of Jacoby Ellsbury and someone like Adalberto Mondesi. It's kind of strange, and it almost looks like he's actively trying to hit the ball the other way. Maybe that's what he was trying to do in this particular at-bat, who really knows?

It's worth noting that all college players will get one more full year under their belt before the draft, so everyone has a chance to make more changes. That's why it's so important to emphasize that we're seven months away from the draft.

I'm not yet sold on Gonzalez. Let's see what he does in 2023.

OF Wyatt Langford, Florida

Three straight players out of the SEC to start us out. That conference is more than just a football conference, believe me.

Langford has one year of production so far since he didn't play his freshman year. In 2022, he hit 26 home runs and slashed .356/.447/.719.

He's got a ton of raw power. Doyle also notes that he's got above average speed and that he could maybe stick in centerfield. Someone with this kind of power and speed combination is hard to come by.

This organization needs power, and Langford can provide that. He would be another fantastic addition to their farm system.

OF Max Clark, Franklin Community (Indiana)

The only prep player to make the list, Clark has been atop 2023 draft lists for a while now. He's got the potential to be a five-tool player.

He's got a prototypical left-handed swing. He may be a little undersized, but he sure plays bigger than that. He's just a good ballplayer.

Here's what Doyle had to say about him:

"A potential 5-tool, dynamic talent, Clark brings arguably the best hit tool on the prep ranks, with serious wheels and elite level instincts in centerfield."
Joe Doyle, Prospects Live

If the Detroit Tigers opt to go the prep player route, Clark should be the guy. He's got all the potential in the world. With a new player development staff in house, he could be the next great player for this organization.

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