Tag: Walter Jenkins

2023 MLB draft: The 10 highest-picked prospects directly out of high school

Here are the 10 highest-picked baseball prospects right out of high school from the first round of the draft.

The 2023 MLB draft began last night in Seattle at Lumen Field, the home stadium of the NFL’s Seahawks. Unlike the NFL draft or the NBA draft, MLB teams are allowed to pick players right out of high school and then bring them up slowly—or, sometimes, rapidly—through their respective farm systems.

Here are the 10 highest-picked baseball prospects right out of high school from the first round of the draft.

Pirates possibly entertaining UNC commit Walker Jenkins at top pick

There’s a strong possibility that UNC baseball commit Walker Jenkins will be the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top overall selection in the MLB draft.

Walker Jenkins continues to be one of the hottest names in this year’s MLB Draft, as the UNC baseball commit and two-time Gatorade N.C. Player of the Year put together an impressive high school career that has him near the top of draft boards.

According to BaseballAmerica senior writer Kyle Glaser, there’s an increasing possibility that Jenkins might be the first overall player selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Though Jenkins will no-doubt be taken Top 10, why is he suddenly a possibility to go number one over the likes of LSU pitcher Paul Skenes (Golden Spikes Winner), LSU outfielder Dylan Crews and University of Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford?

This is because the Pirates are shopping a below-slot number to Jenkins. If the Pirates pick Jenkins below-slot, they have more money to use on later draft picks.

If Jenkins chooses not to sign with the Pirates, Pittsburgh’s slot value is removed from the bonus pool. It’s pretty tough to turn down the distinction of being a top overall pick, though.

Glaser says there’s a lot of belief Langford will be taken over Jenkins, but fans won’t know until the draft kicks off tonight at 7 p.m.

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