The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded the 2023 MLB Draft on Tuesday with 10 selections from rounds 11-20, taking shortstop Jordan Thompson and nine pitchers including DJ Uiagalelei.
Although Uiagalelei was the Dodgers’ last draft pick, going 610th overall in the 20th round, he is arguably the most well-known player they chose as he is the presumed starting quarterback for Oregon State University after transferring from Clemson University.
Day 3 of the MLB Draft for the Dodgers started with Carson Hobbs and continued with Noah Ruen, Alex Makarewich, Jaxon Kelkin, Jordan Thompson, Javen Coleman, Luke Fox, Sterling Patrick, Spencer Green and Uiagalelei.
In total, the Dodgers drafted 22 players, with top two picks Kendall George and Jake Gelof joining the organization on the first day. They also selected 10 players during the second day of the Draft.
Overall, the Dodgers drafted five infielders, three outfielders and 14 pitchers. Their next step is to get the players signed with the organization to begin their professional careers, although it’s unlikely all 22 players end up joining.
Dodgers draft picks 2023
Round 11, Pick 340: Carson Hobbs
Carson Hobbs is a right-hander from Samford University who went 1-1 with two saves and a 1.59 ERA in 11.1 innings with 18 strikeouts.
Hobbs suffered a season-ending injury on March 11, but prior to that was named the South Conference Pitcher of the Month for February, along with a Pitcher of the Week Award.
He could opt to return to college for his senior season, but Hobbs also tweeted that he’s excited to be a Dodger and ready to get to work, which suggests he is likely to sign.
Round 12, Pick 370: Noah Ruen
Noah Ruen is a right-hander from Tyler Junior College who was named National Junior College Division 1 Pitcher of the Year after going 5-1 with a 0.82 ERA in 43.2 innings and posting a 13.19 K/9 while limited opponents to a .111 batting average.
Ruen could look to increase his draft stock by transferring to an NCAA school, but as a reliever prospect, it’s hard to envision him moving too far up the boards.
Round 13, Pick 400: Alex Makarewich
Alex Makarewich is a right-handed pitcher out of Northwestern State University.
In his first year as a starter, Makarewich was named to the 2023 All-Southland Conference Second-Team by going 5-5 with a 5.10 ERA in 72.1 innings and striking out 89 while limiting opponents to a .208 batting average.
His 89 strikeouts were the eighth-best in single-season history at Northeastern State. Makarewich has one more season of college eligibility remaining.
Round 14, Pick 430: Jaxon Jelkin
Continuing the run of right-handed pitchers, Jaxon Jelkin stands 6’5 out of South Mountain Community College.
Jelkin went 7-2 in 14 starts, throwing 75.2 innings, including two complete games, with a 3.81 ERA and 98 strikeouts.
He is committed to playing collegiate ball at the University of Houston, so he may be a tough sign for the Dodgers.
Round 15, Pick 460: Jordan Thompson
Their first and only non-pitcher of the day, Jordan Thompson is a shortstop out of Louisiana State University.
The Chula Vista, California native hit .246 (63-for-256) with 12 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs and 53 RBI in his final year at LSU. He was also voted to the 2023 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament.
In the College World Series, Thompson helped the Tigers by driving in three runs with a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly in Game three.
Round 16, Pick 490: Javen Coleman
The Dodgers went back to the College World Series champs to select Javen Coleman, a left-handed pitcher out of LSU.
Coleman returned from Tommy John Surgery in 2023 after undergoing the procedure in March 2022, going 1-2 with a 7.07 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 14 innings.
The southpaw could return to LSU to increase his draft stock with a full year of health as he only pitched 20 innings over his last two collegiate seasons.
Round 17, Pick 520: Luke Fox
The Dodgers went with another left-hander, taking Luke Fox out of Duke University.
Fox went 4-5 in 15 games (eight starts) with a 6.54 ERA in 52.3 innings with an 11.4 strikeouts per nine during the 2022 season. The Blue Devil did not pitch in 2023 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.
Round 18, Pick 550: Sterling Patrick
L.A. continued to pile up on left-handers as they selected Sterling Patrick out of South Hills High School.
The No. 2 ranked left-hander in California dominated in his senior season, going 10-1 with a 0.37 ERA in 76.2 innings with 113 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .158 batting average. Patrick also threw two complete game shutouts.
Patrick has a commitment to play college ball at the University of California, Santa Barbara, so he will be a challenging sign for the Dodgers.
Round 19, Pick 580: Spencer Green
The Dodgers went back to selecting right-handers when they selected Spencer Green out of Richland High School in Washington.
Green is the 336th-ranked prospect nationally, according to Perfect Game, but he has a commitment to Oregon State University, so he may be unlikely to sign.
Round 20, Pick 621: DJ Uiagalelei
The Dodgers’ final pick, DJ Uiagalelei is a 6’4 two-sport athlete who last played baseball at St. John Bosco High School where he made three appearances with a 4.50 ERA in 4.2 IP with five strikeouts.
Uiagalelei seems likely to return to OSU to take over as their starting quarterback, but he previously had a fastball that reached the mid-90s.
Depending on how his final season plays out and what the NFL Draft may hold for him, Uiagalelei could always give baseball another try next season, which would give the Dodgers his rights.
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