The Guardians selected high school catcher and first baseman Ralphy Velazquez with the 23rd pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Velazquez, 18, is viewed as a potential impact left-handed hitter who could stick in the middle of the order. He's one of the most highly ranked hitters in this draft class, though there are some doubts as to whether he can remain at catcher. Due to a lack of speed, if he does change positions, he'd likely shift to first base.
"Ralphy was really a mainstay on the summer showcase circuit, and really stands out for his bat and ability to control the strike zone," said Paul Gillispie, Guardians senior vice president of scouting. "He has a really impressive track record of success at Huntington Beach High School, and some of the best high school baseball competition in the country."
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Velazquez was ranked as the No. 34 draft prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Prior to Sunday night's draft, he had committed to Arizona State.
This spring, Velazquez led Huntington Beach High School to a National High School Invitational title. He finished with 23 home runs during his high school career and this season hit .402 with six home runs, eight doubles and five stolen bases.
With their second-round pick (58th overall), the Guardians selected left-handed prep pitcher Alex Clemmey.
Clemmey, from Bishop Hendricken High School in Rhode Island , stands 6-6 and possess a fastball that already reaches 99 mph. His breaking ball has curveball tendencies but can resemble more of a slider when it's thrown a bit harder. He also throws a changeup with some sinking motion.
"The thing about Alex is not only is his work ethic sort of off the charts, but he has a really good understanding for not only his body and his delivery, but also especially for a high school kid, a really advanced understanding of pitch design," Gillispie said.
One reason Clemmey, ranked as the No. 50 prospect in the class, dropped a bit despite that electric fastball has to do with some command issues that have popped up.
Clemmey went 9-1 with a 0.42 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 10 starts his senior year. He finished his high school career with a 21.16 K/9 rate.
Before the draft, Clemmey had committed to Vanderbilt.
The Guardians used their third and final selection of day one of the 2023 MLB Draft on Miami right-handed pitcher Andrew Walters. The pick was a Competitive Balance Round B selection.
Walters was a closer for the Hurricanes, posting a 1.21 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings last season. In June, he was named to Collegiate Baseball's All-American first team.
Walters leans heavily on his fastball, which touches 99 mph, and mixes in a slider.
"Really tremendous career, elite ability to miss bats, limit walks," Gillispie said. "Another guy who does it with a big fastball."
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 2023 MLB Draft: Cleveland Guardians select Ralphy Velazquez
