What to know about the MLB Draft and Sinton prospect Blake Mitchell
The last three years have seen Blake Mitchell rise from a promising college baseball prospect during his freshman summer to one of the country’s top high school catchers.
He helped Sinton win one state championship and make three straight appearances in the state tournament, and while also playing for Team USA during an international tournament that only saw his stock continue to rise.
This past season, scouts were a common occurrence at Pirates games, catching one more glimpse of Mitchell whether it’s as a pitcher, catcher or infielder.
He has consistently been listed in mock drafts on websites and publications as a first-round draft pick, and now that day has finally arrived.
At some point on Sunday evening, Mitchell will become one of a handful of baseball players in the Coastal Bend to hear their name called as a first-round draft pick in Major League Baseball’s Annual Entry Draft.
Here is a look at what to know about the draft, some key facts about Mitchell and the players he will join on that elite list of first rounders from the Coastal Bend.
When and how to watch the MLB Draft?
The MLB Draft is scheduled for Sunday through Tuesday at Lumen Field in Seattle. The first two rounds are on Sunday, beginning at 6 p.m., rounds 3 through 10 on Monday and Rounds 11 to 20 on Tuesday. Monday and Tuesday rounds begin at 1 p.m. each day
The first round will be broadcast on ESPN and MLB Network.
Fans can follow the draft pick by pick on mlb.com’s Draft Tracker.
Where is Blake Mitchell projected to land?
Mitchell has been consistently ranked among the top 30 players available for this year’s draft and here is a look at where two key baseball websites have Mitchell landing.
A mock draft by MLB.com’s Jim Calllis has Mitchell going at No. 8 to the Royals, who also have Coastal Bend natives Nick Loftin and Kale Emshoff in their system.
Baseball America’s Mock Draft 3.0 by Carlos Collazo has Mitchell being taken at No. 27 by the Phillies.
What they are saying about Blake Mitchell
From Baseball America: “The top high school catcher in the class, Mitchell is also a talented pitcher who has been into the mid 90s on the mound and was used in a two-way role for Team USA’s 18U gold medal-winning national team in 2022.”
From mlb.com: “He has tools on both sides of the ball, a fallback option as a pitcher and a long track record of performance.”
Where has Blake Mitchell signed for college?
Mitchell made his long-time commitment to LSU official during the early signing period in November. Mitchell committed to the Tigers prior to the 2020 season. After being draft, Mitchell has until August 1 to make a decision on whether to sign with the team that drafts him or go to college.
A glance at Mitchell’s 2023 season
Mitchell was recently named the 2023 All-South Texas Most Valuable Player where he hit .457 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 42 RBI, sored 48 runs and drew 61 walks and stole 41 bases. He spent much of the year behind the plate but did compile 21 strikeouts in 10.1 innings on the mound and batters had a .158 average against him.
Coastal Bend First Round Draft Picks
A look at some of the players from the Coastal Bend that have been drafted in the first round
Darrell Clifton, Calallen, Blinn College
1984, 18th overall, Philadelphia Phillies
Courtney Hawkins, Carroll
2012, 13th overall, Chicago White Sox
Burt Hooton, King, Texas
1971, 2nd overall (secondary phase of draft), Chicago Cubs
Note: Hooton was taken in the fifth round out of high school in 1968
Brooks Kieschnick, Carroll, Texas
1993, 19th overall, Chicago Cubs
Nick Loftin, Ray, Baylor
2020, 32nd overall (compensation pick), Kansas City Royals
Cliff Pennington, Carroll, Texas A&M
2005, 21st overall, Oakland Athletics
Notable players from Sinton drafted
Adrian Alaniz, Eighth round, 2007, Washington Nationals (out of Texas)
Anthony Banda, 10th round, 2012, Milwaukee Brewers (out of San Jacinto College)
Jaime Sepeda, Sixth round, 1992, by Phillies (out of Stanford)
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: What to know about the MLB Draft and Sinton prospect Blake Mitchell
