The Top MLB Prospects in 2023

• Position: Shortstop/Second Base
• Age: 19
• Organization: Baltimore Orioles 
• Current Level: AA

If Jackson Holliday’s name sounds familiar, it might be because he is the son of seven-time All-Star and World Series Champion, Matt Holliday. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Holliday is an Oklahoma native who had an astonishing run at Stillwater High School. He was a top prospect for the 2022 MLB draft going into his senior year, and was selected as the first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles.

In April of 2023, Holliday was promoted to the High-A Orioles affiliate team. So far he's batting .339 with seven home runs, 51 RBI's, and 20 stolen bases. The shortstop is a left-handed batter, and a right-handed thrower. As he continues to get stronger and more confident, Holliday is likely to be a player in the Major Leagues in the coming year. 

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 19
• Organization: Milwaukee Brewers
• Current Level: AA

Jackson Chourio is a Venezuelan standout player currently within the Brewers system. He caught many eyes in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, after he had already signed with the Brewers. Based on his performance that summer, Milwaukee was eager to push him further up through their minor league teams, where he has had an impressive couple of seasons. 

Chourio is still trying to find his footing at the plate, making that his major need for development. His abilities as a position player, currently stationed in center field, is what makes him such a desired player. The hitting staff in Milwaukee is focused on improving the young player’s eye in the box and his overall ability to make contact. Soon enough, Chourio will be a threat in the Major Leagues.

• Position: Shortstop 
• Age: 20
• Organization: Boston Red Socks
• Current Level: AA

Marcelo Mayer was selected by the Boston Red Sox as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Mayer was widely regarded as one of the most well-rounded players available in the draft and was likely to go as the first pick. However, based on a series of other needs for the first handful of picks, it was a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox once their pick came around and Mayer was still available.

In 2022, his first season in Boston's minor league system, he batted .280/.339/.489. He is currently on track to have a similar season in 2023. Mayer is a skilled shortstop with great arm strength and who is seeing the ball very well in the box. All-in-all Boston has a potentially massive playmaker and power hitter on their hands.

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 20
• Organization: Washington Nationals
• Current Level: AA

James Wood is a Rockville, Maryland native who is making a name for himself in the minor leagues, quickly moving his way up the top prospects list. He was selected in the second round by the San Diego Padres in the 2021 MLB Draft. Wood excelled in his first Spring Training with the organization, impressing the team’s management and catching the eye of other teams as well. He was involved in the trade that sent Juan Soto from Washington to San Diego, and as a result, he is now within the Washington Nationals organization.

Wood is a 6’7”, 240 pound powerhouse hitter who is also very quick for his size. His arm strength and high baseball IQ is sure to make him an asset to his team’s outfield.

• Position: Shortstop
• Age: 21
• Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
• Current Level: AA

Texas native, Jordan Lawlar earned Texas High School Player of the year in 2021. He was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks sixth overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, and began training with their Minor league affiliates shortly afterward. He was quickly shut down due to an injury, but once the 2022 season rolled around, Lawlar was eager to show off his talents as a slugger, batting .351/.447/.603 in his first 44 games with the Single-A Arizona affiliate. The D-Backs promoted him through higher level affiliates to test his skills against more competitive levels, and he has risen to the occasion. 

Lawlar has a good eye in the box which increases his ability to get on base, which is good for the speedy player who is a threatening base-running for opposing teams. He is likely to remain in the minors for another year or so, but the Diamondbacks are surely excited about his potential. 

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 20 
• Organization: Texas Rangers
• Current Level: AA

Evan Carter’s recruiting process was untraditional in that he did not get scouted at many showcases and his senior year of high school was canceled due to COVID-19. A handful of scouts had seen enough, however, and he ultimately caught the interest of the Texas Rangers who scooped him up as their second-round pick. 

Carter is a solid contact hitter who sees the ball incredibly well. As he continues to get stronger and gain confidence, he will likely be able to use his enormous stature to hit the ball far and hard. He’s a solid outfielder with quick reflexes. The Rangers will continue to spend resources on Carter, as his potential could be massive for the organization.

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 21
• Organization: Chicago Cubs
• Current Level: AA

Pete Crow-Armstrong was selected 19th overall by the New York Mets in the 2020 MLB Draft. He played a handful of games in the Mets minor league, but shortly after an injury, he was included in a trade package that sent him to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Javier Baez and Trevor Williams. 

In his first year playing under the Cubs minor league system, Crow-Armstrong impressed the team particularly with his defensive skills and speed that allows him to cover a lot of ground in center field with an above average arm strength. The hitting coaches in Chicago see a lot of potential in Crow-Armstrong’s power at the plate, and are currently focused on altering his stance to allow him to hit for more power.

• Position: Right-Hand Pitcher
• Age: 20
• Organization: Philadelphia Phillies
• Current Level: AA

Andrew Painter’s path toward becoming a pitcher in the Major Leagues has been much quicker than most young pitchers. Painter was a first-round draft pick in 2021, and in his first season in the minors, he impressed the Phillies’ staff with his spin rates and his adaptable pitch selection. Following the 2022 minor league season, there was a possibility for Painter to reach the Majors in the 2023 season, but an injury to his elbow put him on temporary hold. For now he is training with the Double-A squad, but is a likely prospect to debut in the MLB next season.

• Position: Shortstop
• Age: 20
• Organization: San Diego Padres
• Current Level: AA

Jackson Merrill is showing significant promise as a young shortstop, as he continues to gain muscle and quickness that is necessary to churn out routine plays in the Major Leagues. Despite injuries last season, Merrill has shown improvements at the plate, showing that he has the power to hit the ball hard. On a team that is already stacked with talent, the Padres are excited to help Merrill reach his full potential so he can help take the team to new levels.

• Position: Right-Hand Pitcher
• Age: 23
• Organization: Cleveland Guardians
• Current Level: MLB

Gavin Williams was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians just two years ago, but due to both a need for pitchers in Cleveland, and Williams’s quick improvements and development, he has already debuted in the Majors. Cleveland is going to keep a close eye on Williams as he remains on their 26-man roster and continue to pump resources into his development so he can rise to his full potential. 

• Position: Left Hand Pitcher
• Age: 21
• Organization: San Francisco Giants
• Current Level: AAA

Kyle Harrison had high expectations leading up to the 2020 Draft, and since being selected by the Giants, he has exceeded them. Harrison’s pitch range, which features a mid-to-high 90s MPH fastball, includes an endless array of pitches that are downright nasty. The left-handed pitcher is showing signs that he will be a gem for the Giants that will be striking batters out in the Majors in the years to come.

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 23
• Organization: Baltimore Orioles
• Current Level: MLB

Colton Cowser was originally picked up by scouts because of his discipline and power he showed at the plate. He is a contact hitter who knows the strike zone well. As he continues to get stronger and more used to the level of pitches in the majors, he will surely become a more dangerous hitter.

Cowser has a strong arm and quick reflexes, but the Orioles will continue to work on his fielding as he inches closer to the big show.

• Position: Outfield
• Age: 19
• Organization: Arizona Diamondbacks
• Current Level: A

At only 19 years old, Druw Jones, son of MLB great Andruw Jones, is a player that the Arizona Diamondbacks see great potential in. Arizona selected him second overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Before the minor league season started, Jones injured his shoulder which has postponed his ability to get started with the team.

The Diamondbacks are confident that once he is able to play, he will provide them with quite a bit of versatility as a fielder, and a lot of power as a hitter.

• Position: Second Baseman/Third Baseman
• Age: 20
• Organization: Tampa Bay Rays
• Current Level: AA

Junior Caminero was originally signed by Cleveland in 2019, but was included in a trade that sent him to the Rays organization in 2021. Since arriving in Tampa, he has been proving himself a great pickup for the team. He has a fast swing with plenty of power, and sprays the ball all over the field.

Caminero is solidifying himself as a third-baseman, but provides value to his team as a skilled second baseman as well. The Rays aim to have Caminero ready for the Majors starting next season.

• Position: Shortstop
• Age: 21
• Organization: San Francisco Giants
• Current Level: AAA

Marco Luciano grew up in the Dominican Republic and excelled as one of the best players his age in his home country. He was signed by San Francisco in 2018. Since then, he has made his way up the minor league system, and is likely to make his debut in the Major League by next season.

Luciano’s bat speed and overall power is what makes him stand out. He’s incredibly quick on his feet, both as a base runner and fielder. The Giants may consider him in other positions besides shortstop, but he'll likely be ready to join the Majors in the relatively near future.