2023 has not been a great season for the Oakland Athletics. The team is currently 40 games under .500 and will obviously have the no.1 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Yet it is now time to mock the first five rounds of the 2023 MLB Draft for the Athletics.
No.6 Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon
He set program records for career hits with 224 and RBI 155 and set a single season record for batting average in 2023 when he hit .411. Even better though is his eye at the plate in 620 at-bats between 2022 and 2023 he struck out only 31 times.
In 2023, he also won the 2023 WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
No.39 Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia
A familiar name for the Athletics. His older brother was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 MLB Draft by Oakland. Gelof in 2023 hit 23 home runs, drove in 90, walked 48 times, had a batting average of .321 and an OBP of .427.
No.41 Hunter Owen, SP, Vanderbilt
Strong is one word to describe Owen, who is 6’6″ and 261 pounds. His fastball sits between 92-94 miles-per-hour yet has reached 97 miles-per-hour. He throws a curveball and a slider and moved from a relief pitcher to a starter.
He made 12 starts in 2023, went 4-0, with 76 strikeouts to 17 walks, and his ERA was 3.52.
No.72 Tanner Witt, SP, Texas
Though he struggled with injuries in 2023. In 2020 he was highly touted out of high school. Witt has added 20 pounds to his 6’5″ frame and his fastball sits between 92-95 miles-per-hour. During the 2021 season he spent his season in the bullpen for the Texas Longhorns. He went 5-0 with an ERA of 3.16 in 57 innnings of works, he also saved five games, and struck out 73 while walking 25.
No.103 Steven Milam, SS/2B, Centenniel (NM)
Currently, undersized at 5’8″ 165 pounds, Milam has drawn comparisons to another Louisiana State University commit, Alex Bregman.
Though he is not likely going to develop power, he does have the ability to become a prototype no.2 hitter who sprays the ball to all fields. Depending on the team he will likely get moved from shortstop to second base.
No.139 Jake Cunningham, OF, Charlotte
According to his scouting report, Cunningham possesses some of the best all-around tools in the college class. Between 2022 and 2023 he did hit 27 home runs and drove in 93. He also, can steal bases and has a strong arm in center field.