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High-A Prospects To Watch From the 2023 Draft Pt. 2

By Richard Haake
Homer Bush Jr. Fantasy Baseball Prospects High-A

So many great names to talk about starting the season in High-A from the 2023 MLB Draft that we need a part two. In this article, I will break down six more prospects that will be starting the season in High-A that you should keep on your radars heading in 2024. Let’s dive into High-A prospects to watch from the 2023 MLB draft part 2.

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Prospects to Watch

Nolan McLean, SP/INF NYM

The New York Mets took a chance on a two-way player out of the University of Oklahoma State in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Nolan McLean played third base, outfield, and was a relief pitcher while at Oklahoma State. There is some above-average power in the bat though it’s on the mound where McLean truly stands out. McLean features a four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s and gets up to 100 mph. The slider is a mid-80s slider with a sharp break and can be shortened to a cutter at times. It was McLean’s curveball that was drawing the most attention in the Breakout series this spring as the spin rates were elite.

McLean didn’t get much run in Low-A Port St Lucie after the draft but the tweaks the Mets have made with McLean over the off-season seems to be enough to start him out in High-A Brooklyn. Long term I believe McLean will be solely a pitcher who could have some nasty offerings. This will be a prospect to closely monitor in 2024 as the Mets have had success converting relief pitchers out of College into starters. For example, see Christian Scott.

Brett Wichrowski, RHP MIL

If you are looking for an “under the radar” prospect to watch this year take a look at Brett Wichrowski. Selected in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Bryant University where Wichrowski had 109 strikeouts across 92.2 innings pitched. Wichrowski primarily works with a mid-90s fastball that tops out at 99 mph paired with an above-average slider that comes in between 80-83 mph. Over the off-season, Wichrowski added a Sinker to his repertoire and worked with Baseball Performance Center to improve upon the vertical break on the fastball and sinker as well as maximizing his extension.

The Brewers did not pitch Wichrowski after being drafted in 2023 but debuted the right-hander during the Breakout series during spring training. In the outing against the White Sox Wichrowski retired all three batters he faced showing ease on the mound that could be scary. The Brewers are confident in Wichrowski as his first pro assignment will be at High-A to start the season.

Gino Groover, SS/2B ARI

Arizona selected Gino Groover out of NC State in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Groover played all over the infield while at the University of North Carolina Charlotte then later at NC State. There is plus potential power in Groover’s 6’2” frame paired with speed that is above average currently. In his final season with NC State Groover slashed .332/.430/.546 with 13 home runs, 48 runs scored, 50 RBIs, and two stolen bases in 57 games played. The first assignment for Groover was the Complex League where the 21-year-old played just four games scoring two runs and driving in two RBIs. Once promoted to High-A Hillsboro Groover hit his stride.

In 23 games played with the Hillsboro Hops Groover slashed .264/.340/.379 with one home run, 13 runs scored, 14 RBIs, and one stolen base. At the plate, Groover walked 8% while only striking out 9% of his 100 plate appearances. The sample size is low but it seems Groover might have been a tad unlucky as the .278 BABIP indicates. Regardless he will get the opportunity to repeat High-A to start the 2024 season.

Chase Dollander, RHP COL

Going into the 2023 College baseball season Chase Dollander was the top-ranked pitcher but a year to forget caused his draft stock to plummet before being selected ninth overall by Colorado. Now most dynasty managers do not want anything to do with a Rockies pitcher and to this point in their history, it’s understandable. Dollander might be different. The pitch mix is a four-seam fastball that tops out at 100 mph with good carry-up in zone paired with a mid-80s sweeping slider. The 88 mph change-up has a solid sink and fades with the mid-70s knee-buckling curveball dropping out of the zone.

Coming out of the University of Tennessee Dolander had an impressive sophomore season with the Vols. In 16 games pitched (14 starts) the right-hander struck out 108 batters over 79 innings pitched finishing the year with a 2.39 ERA. It was his Junior season that caused him to drop. In 17 starts Dollander struck out 120 batters across 89 innings pitched walking 3 BB/9 and finishing the season with a 4.75 ERA. The long ball got to Dollander in the tough SEC but this was out of the norm from his previous collegiate seasons. The Rockies did not pitch Dollander in 2023 so we will get the first look at the potential future “ace” of the Rockies at High-A Spokane.

Cole Carrigg, C COL

The Colorado Rockies selected Cole Carrigg in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of San Diego State. The former Aztecs put together an impressive collegiate career with the bat hitting .337/.403/.482 with seven home runs, 101 runs scored, 90 RBIs, and 39 stolen bases in three seasons at San Diego State. Once in the Rockies organization Carrigg continued to hit. In 13 games played in the Rockies Complex League Carrigg slashed .396/.464/.688 with two home runs, 13 runs, and RBIs scored and stole seven bases in nine attempts.

The Rockies then promoted Carrigg to Low-A where the 21-year-old proceeded to slash .326/.376/.554 with three home runs, 19 runs scored, 16 RBIs, and stole six bases in seven attempts. The Power surge comes as a bit of a surprise for Carrigg who hit only seven home runs in three seasons with San Diego State but hit five in just 36 games with the Rockies. Dynasty managers should expect a solid average and OBP from Carrigg as he continues to move up the system pitching in stolen bases along the way. Colorado will start Cole Carrigg in High-A this season and could push for Double-A Hartford by the season’s end.

Homer Bush Jr, OF SDP

AJ Preller and the San Diego Padres might have just gotten a steal in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB draft. Homer Bush Jr was a standout at Grand Canyon University slashing .370/.478/.500 with three home runs, 69 runs scored, 41 RBIs, and stole 25 bases in 58 games played. Once Bush was in the organization the Padres sent him to the Complex League where he slashed .409/.509/.614 with two home runs, 16 runs scored, four RBIs, and stole 10 bases in 12 games played. No doubt about it the advanced hit tool and speed on the base-paths impressed dynasty managers along with the 13.2% walk and strikeout percentage.

The Padre’s next move was to promote Bush Jr to Low-A. In 24 games played Bush Jr slashed .247/.369/.341 with one home run, 16 runs scored, 10 RBIs, and stole 11 bases in 12 attempts. Despite the lower batting average Bush Jr stayed true to his approach walking 11.4% and striking out just 14.3% of his 105 plate appearances. To get Homer Bush Jr more plate appearances the Padres promoted him to Double-A where he slashed .429/.448/.464 with two runs scored, three RBIs, and one stolen base in eight games played. This is an exciting prospect to watch heading into 2024 and it probably won’t be long at High-A for Bush Jr so grab your shares now.

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