THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,491 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,491 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Draft  | Story | 6/11/2013

MLB Draft review: National League

Photo: Perfect Game
American League | PG Draft LIVE! Pick Tracker | 2013 PG Draft Preview Content

Another draft is in the books, and while we're only a day removed from the process, it is time to take an early look as to how the teams fared.

As part of a two-part series (American/National League) I'm going to provide a quick synopsis of six National League teams that at first glance look to have done a good job in the 2013 MLB Draft.  Frankie Piliere has done the same for the American League teams.


Arizona Diamondbacks

Rumors leading right up until the draft itself indicated that the Diamondbacks may have been leaning toward Fresno State slugger Aaron Judge after he put on an impressive display of power in front of Arizona's brass as part of a pre-draft workout. However, when Nevada righthander Braden Shipley fell in their lap they couldn't resist taking the emerging fire-baller.

Shipley is a converted infielder with an athletic frame and easy, repeatable delivery. His secondary stuff continues to improve as his fastball sits in the low- to mid-90s. The D-Backs followed their pick of Shipley with another power-armed righty from college in Marshall's Aaron Blair. Blair's overall repertoire is more polished than Shipley's at this point in time, and he too can dial his fastball up to the mid-90s, touching a few ticks higher on occasion.

After loading up on a pair of power arms the Diamondbacks turned their attention to a pair of power bats in Justin Williams and Daniel Palka in the third and fourth rounds. Matt McPhearson, their fifth rounder, has the best speed of any drat eligible player, and has promise at the plate as well.

Athletic outfielder Dane McFarland (12) and college lefthander Steve Hathaway (14) stand out among the team's picks after the 10
th round.


New York Mets

The Mets targeted upside with their first four picks, taking a quartet of high school players. Hard hitting first baseman Dominic Smith, arguably the most dynamic pure hitter of the 2013 draft class, was the first of these picks. Smith's affable personality in addition to his talents could allow him to become an embraced star in New York, and his polished approach and lefthanded swing could allow him to advance quickly to the big leagues.

Emerging hard throwing righthander Andrew Church, athletic outfielder Ivan Wilson and ultra-projectable righthander Casey Meisner were the teams next three picks.

After the third round the Mets switched gears and targeted players from the college level that may not have the upside as their prep counterparts, but have a proven track record for success. Infielders L.J. Mazzilli (4) and Matt Oberste (7), outfielders Jared King (5) and Patrick Biondi (9) and righthander Ricky Knapp (8) all could be poised to enjoy immediate success in the lower levels of the minor leagues, and could also be promoted aggressively.

Slick fielding prep shortstop Luis Guillorme (10) has already signed with the team, and the Mets took some interesting arms in the later rounds including John Magliozzi (17), Dan Herrmann (20), Daniel Procopio (22) and Ricky Jacquez (25).


Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have placed a high premium on dynamic athletes in recent years, and continued that preference this year with several of their early picks.

PG All-American shortstop J.P. Crawford was one of the most well-rounded athletes available in this year's draft, with promise both at the plate, defensively up the middle of the infield and on the basepaths. He has just started to recognize his power potential from the left-side of the plate.

Fellow PG All-American outfielder Cord Sandberg was considered a draft wildcard given his two-sport talents as a promising quarterback recruit. The Phillies quickly announced that they had signed Sandberg ending any speculation that he may be headed to college to pursue both sports.

Infielder Jan Hernandez (3), catcher Jake Sweaney (4) and outfielders Jason Monda (6) and Justin Parr (8) continued to show the team's preference for high ceiling athletes, while Trey Williams (7) is one of the most polished hitters from the junior college ranks.

The team continued to add some intriguing athletes past the 10
th round and it will be interesting to see how aggressively they try to sign another pair of PG All-Americans in Joey Martarano (13), who also is a two-sport star with a college commitment to play linebacker for Boise State, and Cavan Biggio (29).

Lefthanders Ben Wetzler (5), Denton Keys (11) and righthander Dan Child (18) stand out among the pitchers they selected.


Pittsburgh Pirates

With one of the most impressive collections of arms at the minor league level, it was no secret that the Pirates were intent on adding a pair of promising position prospects with their two first round picks. The first of which was Austin Meadows, selected with their compensatory pick after they were unable to sign Mark Appel a year ago. Meadows has five-tool potential with an exciting blend of power and speed, and he could become a fixture in the Pirates' outfield alongside another former PG All-American, Andrew McCutchen.

Catcher Reese McGuire was the second of their two first rounders, one of the most well-rounded backstops to be drafted in recent years. His refined defensive prowess will allow him to advance as quickly as his powerful left-handed swing allows.

Other position prospects taken among their early picks include infielders JaCoby Jones (3), Trae Arbet (5) and Adam Frazier (6). Jones could move to the outfield after an impressive career at LSU, Arbet has exciting upside as an offensive-minded second baseman, while Frazier is one of the most polished defenders to come out of this year's draft.

Lefthander Cody Dickson (4) and righthanders Buddy Borden (7) and Shane Carle (10) give the Pirates a trio of power arms from the college level to supplement their already deep pitching talent.

It will be interesting to see if the Pirates are able to sign either prep outfielder Nick Buckner (14) and/or prep righthander Billy Roth (16), and if they do it will strengthen an already strong draft class.


San Diego Padres

After loading up on arms a year ago, with arguably the most impressive collection of pitchers in the lower levels of the minor leagues, the Padres turned their attention to bats this year.

The first of which came in the form of Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe, whose production at the plate this year reflected his loud tools. For as good of a hitter as Renfroe is, with exciting power potential, his right arm is his best pure tool, making him a perfect fit for right field with the requisite power/power profile.

Prep positional players Dustin Peterson (2), Jordan Paroubeck (2s), Mason Smith (4) and Josh VanMeter (5) all offer a variety of tools between Peterson's power, VanMeter's versatility and the natural athleticism of Paroubeck and Smith.

Their sixth round pick, Kentucky closer Trevor Gott, could ascend quickly toward San Diego to give them yet another bullpen arm to contend with. And while none of Connor Jones (21), Chris Okey (31) and Garrett Williams (33) are considered signable given the rounds they were drafted, if the Padres find a way to sign any of the three it would be considered a major coup.


St. Louis Cardinals

Immediately after the Cardinals selected prep lefthander Rob Kaminsky in the supplemental first round, the prevailing sentiment among the Perfect Game staff was that it was a pick that epitomized an organization that consistently makes sounds decisions in all aspects of their baseball operations.

Kaminsky's selection (compensation for free agent Kyle Lohse) came after their true first rounder, another lefthander in the form of Marco Gonzales, who also doubled as a first baseman in three years playing for Gonzaga. Gonzales and Kaminsky are both among the most polished at the college and high school levels, and could be among the first of their class to reach the big leagues. Gonzales will do so on the strength of his pitchability and changeup, while Kaminsky will do so with his impressive command of his fastball and hammer curve.

Slick fielding shortstop Oscar Mercado was the team's pick in the second round, and the Cardinals added another PG All-American infielder in Chris Rivera in the seventh. Canadian infielder Malik Collymore (10) gives the team a third prep infielder with exciting potential.

LSU first baseman Mason Katz and Missouri State righthander Nick Petree have been among the most productive players at the college level the past three years, while another prep lefthander, Ian McKinney, also has the polish to move toward the big leagues quickly.

Prep righthander Steven Farinaro (11) and junior college righty Blake Higgins (16) are among the most notable prospects among the team's picks after the 10
th round.

Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/26/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 1-99

Michael Albee
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Reports: 100-299 | 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-500 1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA R-R, 6-2/202, Chandler, AZ Previously Drafted: Never Drafted   Roch Cholowsky has consistently ranked at the top of the class throughout the cycle due to the safety and upside of the profile. Defensively, he is a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, consistent actions, and quality range. Not only should he stick at the position long term, he should excel there at the next level. Offensively, there is a strong mix of hit and power potential from the right side of the plate. The swing is a bit unorthodox with a shorter finish, but Cholowsky consistently finds the barrel and drives the ball with authority to all fields. He has strong bat to ball skills with impact. He has walked more than stuck out during his collegiate career, giving him a high on-base ability. The run tool is the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/5/2026

13u World Series Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Michael Wedgeworth (2030, Flomaton, AL) had put the two way ability on full display so far this week, dominating from both sides. On the mound Wedgeworth ran the fastball up to 84 (81-83) with ease to the delivery. Broke off a couple nasty curveballs that induced swing and miss, as well as freezing hitters for punch outs. Collected six in his four inning complete game. He also would not be denied at the plate going 3-5 in the first two days with two doubles. Very intriguing young player as the body continues to grow.  Tyler Bellush (2031, Summerville, SC) is a sure handed shortstop for the Canes Nation squad. Swings it from the left side of the plate and the barrel accuracy has really stuck out thus far. 3-4 through the first couple days with a double and two triples, Bellush has also walked twice and collected 3 RBI along the way. Yesterday against USA Prime with the bases loaded,...
All American Game | Story | 7/3/2026

Initial 2026 All Star Game Roster Reveal

Article Image
We are excited to announce the first selections for the 2026 PG All Star Game from both the Perfect Game Junior and Sophomore National Showcases. The PG All Star Game will be held on Friday, August 14th at Citizens Bank Ballpark, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, and will feature roughly 40 of the top players, predominately from the 2028 class with a few of the very best 2029s also selected. A watchlist has been created from the Junior National Showcase and another group of players will be selected from that showcase towards the end of July as we continue to evaluate players at the major Perfect Game tournaments this summer. The final wave of selections we be made at the PG Underclass All American Games August 5-7 at the UCSD in San Diego, CA. PG Underclass All American Games   Junior National Selections Dexter McCleon Jr. OF Suwanee, GA USA Prime Cullen Scott RHP/3B Melissa,...
Tournaments | Story | 7/3/2026

13u WWBA Scout Note Recap

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
Walter Izquierdo Jr. (2031, Miami, Fla.) showed off the upside on the mound for Beast Baseball 13u. The right-handed pitcher went four innings and collected three strikeouts while spreading two hits and two walks for one run. The fastball topped out at 80 and was consistently in the upper- 70s. Showed feel for a curveball with 12-6 shape and some looser vertical depth that was able to get weak contact. Competes in the zone well and showed some feel to work on the arm-side half of the plate. Intriguing upside on the young arm.   Brett Hamlin (2031, Jupiter, Fla.) showed off the barrel feel for FTB American 13u. The left-handed hitter collected nine hits, including two doubles and a triple, to drive in seven RBI. Strong hands and flips the hips well to create good bat speed. Simple operation that gets on time consistently and impacts the ball well. Worked the pull-side well and...
Tournaments | Story | 7/2/2026

Freedom Classic Opens Holiday Weekend

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
More than 30 teams from the 14U-18U age divisions will head to Fort Myers, Florida this Fourth of July weekend for the seventh annual Perfect Game Freedom Classic. The tournament, running July 3-6, features several nationally ranked prospects from across the country as teams look to compete for a championship. Headlining the field are twin brothers Derek and Ryan Yormark of Merrick, New York. Right-handed pitcher Derek Yormack is the No. 51-ranked player in the class of 2027, the No. 1 player in New York and the No. 5-ranked right-handed pitcher in the country. First baseman Ryan Yormark comes in just behind his twin brother as the No. 3 overall player in New York, the No. 5 first baseman in the nation and the No. 90-ranked player nationally. Both brothers are committed to Vanderbilt. Derek Yormark has established himself as one of the top two-way prospects in the 2027 class. He has run...
Tournaments | Story | 7/2/2026

14u West World Series Scout Notes

Quinton Hall
Article Image
Asher Contreras (2030 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-10, 170-pound right-handed hitter and outfielder was one of the most dangerous hitters in the tournament for Wow Factor Nv 2030, stuffing the stat sheet while displaying an impressive combination of power and speed. He finished the weekend with 9 hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in seven runs and scoring five more. He also swiped three bases and worked three walks, consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses while showing feel for the zone with just one strikeout all weekend. His ability to hit for extra bases while also creating offense on the bases made him one of the most impactful offensive performers at the event.    Braylen Silva (‘30 | NV) RBI 2B for GBG Vegas 14u Red. Direct path, quick trigger, & barrel feel. Solid 2-hole stick creating offense all day #14UWestWS...
High School | General | 7/1/2026

PG High School All-Americans

Tyler Russo
Article Image
High School Top 50: Final Update With the High School season all wrapped up, today we take a look at our First, Second and Third Team All-Americans from around the country. Below you'll find three teams with stats that seem otherworldly from players who'll likely hear their names called in the coming week's MLB Draft. Within the "Notable Stats" section you'll see the individual award winners as well. First Team All-American Pos.  Name Class School State Commitment Notable Stats C Cole Prosek 2026 Magnolia Heights MS Ole Miss .595 BA, 18 HR, 79 RBI 1B Will Adams 2026 Hoover AL LSU .489, 13 HR, 52 RBI IF James Tronstein 2026 Harvard-Westlake CA Vanderbilt .531, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 21 XBH IF Grady Emerson 2026 Fort Worth Christian TX Texas .508, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 34/35 SB, National POY IF Jacob Lombard 2026 Gulliver Schools FL Miami .477, 10 HR, 52 R, 42 H, 14 SB OF Martin Shelar 2026 Marist GA...
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

16u Elite Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
16u Elite Scout Notes: Days 1-2  ‘28 AJ Bonnette (TX) with 7 Ks thru 4 IP thus far, living 89-91 w/ heavy traits. Filling up all four quads & attacking hitters early in counts. Mixing a slurvy breaker & turning the CHG over well. @PG_Uncommitted #NatElite @Texas_PG pic.twitter.com/oz2XXoKHvt — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 30, 2026 Aj Bonnette (2028, Keller, Texas) showed out on both sides of the ball at the National Elite Championship, but really stood out on the mound Tuesday. He toed the rubber in round two of the playoffs, proceeding to toss six innings with eight punchouts and zero earned runs allowed. The 6-foot southpaw filled up all four quadrants of the strike zone, attacking hitters early and often with his fastball. The heater lived in the 88-91 mph range with heavy traits, often setting up his slurvy breaking ball. Bonnette showed good feel...
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

Performance Baseball Rolls On

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Championship teams often reveal themselves when the game isn’t going their way. Performance Baseball 2028/Milwaukee Brewers Scout Team did exactly that. Trailing Florida Burn 2028 Scout through four innings, the Brewers refused to panic. Instead, they relied on timely hitting, consistent pitching, and an unselfish approach at the plate, rallying a five-run fifth inning before pulling away for a 9-5 victory to clinch their spot in the semifinals. The comeback was fueled by contributions throughout the lineup. Six different players drove in runs, including two RBIs each from Aiden Capobianco and Cameron Massey, while Matthew Heredia, Parker Weston, Ethan Smith, and Aj Bonnette each added an RBI of their own. On the mound, Derek Wenzel set the tone with 3.2 solid innings before Ethan Smith shut the door in relief, helping preserve the comeback victory. Although the Brewers have had a...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/1/2026

JK Select Hawaii Tackles 14u West WS

Emily Hicks
Article Image
JK Select Hawaii capped off an impressive tournament run by defeating GBG Vegas 14u Red14-4 in the championship game on Sunday at Goodyear Ballpark, claiming the 14u West World Series title. From the opening pitch, JK Select controlled the pace of the game. The offense jumped out early, scoring 6 runs in the 1st inning after timely hits from MVP Sean Shindo and Kade Manarpaac. The early lead gave the pitching staff confidence as they worked efficiently through the opposing lineup. “I've worked hard to get better at my game for the past few months; it means a lot that I did well and performed in a tournament like this” said Shindo. Starting pitcher Maddox Prones turned in a strong performance, allowing 3 runs while striking out 5 batters over 3 innings. The defense backed the effort with great plays in the middle infield, preventing GBG Vegas from building momentum....
Tournaments | Story | 7/1/2026

"Wow" Swings Catch Eyes at 16u Elite

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
On the second day of the 2026 Perfect Game National Elite Championship, one swing turned heads across the ballpark. The next one brought everyone to a stop. With Wow Factor Nation 16U trailing midway through its matchup against Sandlot Scout Team 2028, Micheal O'Connor launched a solo home run to spark the offense. Just one batter later, Aaron Frink stepped into the box and sent another ball over the fence, delivering back-to-back home runs that quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the tournament’s opening days. Parents gathered along the nets, players from previous games stopped to watch, and college scouts turned their attention toward the action as the two towering swings energized the crowd and brought new life to the game. Although Wow Factor Nation ultimately lost 5-3 after a hard-fought performance, the back-to-back home runs served as a reminder of the...
Loading more articles...