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For those dialed into the 2023 MLB Draft over the last few days, you undoubtedly saw the Los Angeles Dodgers' highlights. High school outfielder Kendall George and star University of Virginia slugger Jake Gelof were taken with the team's first two picks.
Texas outfielder Dylan Campbell, selected 136th overall, said he thinks he'll be the steal of the entire draft. Two-time national champion shortstop Jordan Thompson (LSU) was nabbed in the 15th round.
We can sit here all day and go through scouting reports and evaluations, but what good will that do? The Dodgers have more often than not found gems later on than hit on first-rounders in the Andrew Friedman era, so it's best to wait and see how everybody acclimates to the professional level.
Fans do have one question, though. Why was Oregon State quarterback (and Clemson transfer) D.J. Uiagalelei taken in the 20th round as the team's final pick?
Dodgers' 2023 MLB Draft Recap
Round | Player | Age | School | Slot Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kendall George (OF) | 18 | Atascocita HS (Texas) | $2,362,700 |
2 | Jake Gelof (3B) | 21 | Virginia | $1,336,900 |
3 | Brady Smith (RHP) | 18 | Grainger HS (Tennessee) | $705,500 |
4 | Wyatt Crowell (LHP) | 21 | Florida State | $516,800 |
Comp | Dylan Campbell (OF) | 20 | Texas | $473,700 |
Comp | Eriq Swan (RHP) | 21 | Middle Tennessee State | $469,900 |
5 | Joe Vetrano (1B) | 21 | Boston College | $364,400 |
6 | Bryan Gonzalez (SS) | 17 | Beltran Academy HS (Puerto Rico) | $290,100 |
7 | Patrick Copen (RHP) | 21 | Marshall | $228,800 |
8 | Jaron Elkins (OF) | 18 | Goodpasture Christian HS (Tennessee) | $189,300 |
9 | Ryan Brown (RHP) | 20 | Ball State | $173,600 |
10 | Sam Mongelli (SS) | 21 | Sacred Heart | $164,600 |
11 | Carson Hobbs (RHP) | 21 | Samford | |
12 | Noah Ruen (RHP) | 20 | Tyler Junior College (Texas) | |
13 | Alex Makarewich (RHP) | 21 | Northwestern State | |
14 | Jaxon Jelkin (RHP) | 20 | South Mountain Community College (Arizona) | |
15 | Jordan Thompson (SS) | 21 | LSU | |
16 | Javen Coleman (LHP) | 21 | LSU | |
17 | Luke Fox (LHP) | 21 | Duke | |
18 | Sterling Patrick (LHP) | 18 | South Hills HS (California) | |
19 | Spencer Green (RHP) | 18 | Richland HS (Washington) | |
20 | DJ Uiagalelei (RHP) | 22 | Oregon State |
Why did the Dodgers draft former Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei?
A LOT of pitchers for all the folks out there that value organizations possessing a surplus of arms in their farm system. The Dodgers continued their philosophy on that front by taking 14 pitchers, one of which was Uiagalelei, who is technically listed as a two-way player.
The only problem? The man hasn't played since high school! And he's been a college quarterback going on four years now (he was at Clemson for the last three seasons and then just transferred to Oregon State this winter after losing the starting job). But he supposedly sported a mid-90s fastball with some power in his bat during his high school days. Consolation prize in four years if the Dodgers miss out on Shohei Ohtani?
The Dodgers' interest in Uiagalelei dates back to this past winter when he entered the transfer portal. LA offered him a spot in a tryout but the 22-year-old declined, opting to follow his current football path with the Beavers.
Looks like we'll be scouring the internet for Uiagalelei's high school baseball footage, because now we're intrigued if the Dodgers' interest hasn't waned. And since he flamed out at Clemson and probably doesn't have the greatest of chances to become a high NFL draft pick ... this could materialize if he changes his mind.
Otherwise, a number of these guys should be debuting in the Dodgers' system before the year ends, so keep your eyes peeled for fresh talent joining one of the league's best farm systems.