Why so few Arizona high school baseball players were taken in the 2023 MLB Draft

Only two Arizona high school baseball players were chosen in this year's MLB Draft, and those came in the 13th and 20th rounds — Chandler Hamilton two-way player Josh Tiedemann (Yankees, 402nd pick) and Chandler Basha left-hander Justin Chambers (Brewers, 602nd pick).

Is that an indictment on the quality of Arizona high school baseball? Or is just how the drafting landscape has changed since COVID-19 hit in 2020 giving college players an extra year to mature and elevate their games in the front of major league scouts?

Some of it has to do with top players letting it be known to teams what it would take for them to be signed. And with each pick slotted, there's really little to no wiggle room to negotiate for more money than what's slotted.

Hamilton shortstop Roch Cholowsky, who is so set on playing at UCLA, let it be known it would take something like a top-20 pick to keep him away from the Bruins. Cholowsky was rated among the top 50 prospects entering the draft, but the state's Player of the Year went undrafted in the 20-round draft.

"High school players in general are not being drafted," Hamilton coach Mike Woods said. "Arizona still has an abundance of talent. Reduction in number of minor league teams and a 20-round draft are main reasons. For every high school kid, they have to have a place to play. Essentially, someone older has to be released. No more stockpiling in rookie-ball leagues. Taking a chance on an 18-year-old is getting too risky."

Former MLB national crosschecker Butch Baccala, founder and president of Athlete 911, broke down the draft with startling numbers.

Through the first 10 rounds, of the first 314 picks, only 66 were high school players, none who play either second base or first base, only two third basemen and just three catchers. Of the first 121 right-handed pitchers chosen, 29 were out of high school. Of the 37 left-handers, just three out of high school. Twenty of the first 40 shortstops taken were high school players.

Baccala wrote on Twitter that 'the elite player proven will always be drafted high."

"The mid-level prospect should At least consider College to improve draft value and get the college experience and get a degree. MLB doesn’t want to develop players, they want product that will get to MLB in 1/2 year to 3 years," he added.

There are varying factors.

• NIL might be some of it, but most college baseball players don't see the money until they're sophomores.

• COVID-19 expanding college careers. Division I players become draft-eligible after their junior season, but now they've already played four years in college because they've been given the extra year due to 2020 being shortened.

• Major League Baseball simply is putting more value on college players with the draft down to 20 rounds. They can't afford to miss.

"High school baseball in Arizona is still one of the best in the country, in my opinion," Scottsdale Chaparral coach Troy Gerlach said. "I think MLB is putting more value in the college player as the college game is so good right now. Due to the fact that the draft is only 20 rounds, more kids are going to college.

"NIL money could also be a factor as kids are now making money in college, some more than they would make in the minor leagues. Many factors are to blame but talent is not one of them."

Mesa Desert Ridge coach Joseph Ponce agrees that Arizona high school talent is as good as it is anywhere else in the country. But he sees the reduced draft playing a role.

"In the past, there have been some players who've gone onto great careers in the MLB taken after the 20th round," Ponce said. "I think players really have to weigh out the decision to sign or go to college, especially if they are a late-rounder.

"NIL deals in baseball have also likely caused some players to re-consider going to college, or staying in college longer, rather than signing. Going to college to play baseball will allow players to continue to develop, get a quality education, make life-long friends and memories all while potentially raising their draft stock for the future."

Tempe Corona del Sol coach David Webb said because of great competition in the high schools in Arizona, it's harder to put up "crazy numbers," especially in the big schools. He feels that in other states players may stand out more because the competition isn't as great.

Webb also points out that a lot of kids are visiting with scouts earlier and letting them know that they will need a big dollar amount to keep them from going to college, whereas, 20 years ago, more kids were being signed out of high school.

"Many professional organizations are letting them go to college to develop and then drafting them later," Webb said. "If you look at this year's breakdown of draft picks, the vast majority are college kids, not high school kids.  I feel as though that is a good thing. Kids get top-notch strength training and development, while also getting their education.

"A 20-round draft also plays a part. College is becoming a pseudo minor league for some players to improve their game, and professional baseball is reaping the benefits."

Cave Creek Cactus Shadows coach Gaetano Gianni doesn't think the draft being only 20 rounds has much to do with it.

His pitcher, Derek Schaefer, was projected to go in the fourth or fifth round. But he went undrafted. He signed to play collegiately at Tennessee.

"It becomes difficult to pass up a chance to play for a great college program that develops pitchers," Gianni said. "If things go well at Tennessee, he will earn an education and perhaps go in the top two rounds out of college.

"I feel that most of the top talent in Arizona was in the same position. The other issue is that draft bonuses are slotted. In the past, players could negotiate their bonus. It has become harder now to do so. I also believe there are some very talented college players.

"With NIL money now in the mix, college players might make more playing in college than a $400,000 signing bonus."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why so few Arizona high school baseball players taken in MLB Draft