MLB Draft Odds 2023: Florida’s Wyatt Langford Favored to Go No. 1

There wasn’t much uncertainty over who was going first in the recent NBA Draft, but the outlook is not as clear in the upcoming MLB Draft. According to MLB Draft odds at several of the top sportsbooks in the country, four players have a 16.67-44.44% chance to get selected with the No. 1 pick.

Much of the talk has surrounded a pair of LSU Tigers, Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes, but a new betting favorite has emerged. The 2023 MLB Draft will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday night in Seattle at Lumen Field.

MLB Draft Odds: Who Will Be the No. 1 Pick?

These MLB Draft odds are current as of July 7 at three of the top sports betting apps in the country:

The top of betting boards consists of three college players (Florida’s Wyatt Langford and LSU’s Paul Skenes and Dylan Clark) and two high school players (Max Clark and Walker Jenkins).

Skenes was an integral part of LSU’s championship squad and had the second-lowest ERA in the country last season (1.69). He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series this year and won the Dick Howser Trophy, SEC Pitcher of the Year, and the National Pitcher of the Year.

Crews had the highest batting average for the Tigers last season and the third-highest in the country at .426. Analysts describe him as a five-tool player and a plus hitter with plus power. Langford led the way for Florida, hitting .373 with 21 home runs.

As for the high schoolers, Clark was named the 2023 Gatorade National Player of the Year and is considered a dangerous player in the outfield, on the base paths, at the plate, and when on the mound. Jenkins is a two-time Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year with off-the-charts power, solid baserunning skills, and plays excellent defense in center field.

So, they are all great players, but who will the Pirates take with the No. 1 pick?

New Players get up to $200 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel Sportsbook

1

Visit FanDuel Sportsbook

Bet $5

Get $200

In Bonus Bets

FanDuel Sportsbook Review

Up to $200 in Bonus Bets

Available on Desktop, Android & iOS  

To Claim: Click Play Now

Play Now

Who Will the Pirates Take with the No. 1 Pick?

As a team that does not like to spend in free agency, choosing a cost-controlled approach to building a team through the draft, the Pirates need to make the most of the No. 1 selection. But they also have to keep in mind the signing bonus demand the player will have.

Dylan Crews has been considered the no-brainer choice to go No. 1, but according to the rumor mill, it may take a $10 million bonus to sign him. Such a demand could scare the cost-conscious Pirates away.

With that in mind, here are our favorite picks:

Paul Skenes (+250, FanDuel)

As exciting as a hitter like Crews may be, a pitcher with the potential to be dominant could prove even more invaluable to a team trying to rebuild.

Wyatt Langford (+150, DraftKings)

If the Pirates can’t afford the best hitter available, one as talented as Langford is a good consolation prize. Signing him will probably take a smaller bonus, making it easier for the Pirates to sign their other prospects.

Dylan Crews (+500, FanDuel)

Most analysts consider Crews the best available player, making him a no-brainer to go No. 1 in any other professional draft. But since the Pirates have to be concerned about his bonus demands, they may not take him.

Walker Jenkins (+6000, Caesars)

Jenkins is an excellent prospect, but he is not the best player in the draft. The only reason why the Pirates may take him with the No. 1 pick is to save bonus money for other players. But since Pittsburgh does prefer to build through the draft, that is a possibility.

MLB Draft Odds: Props

Number of Pitchers Drafted in the First Round: Five (+550, FanDuel)

Nine to 14 pitchers got selected in the first round in the last five drafts. But this year, more position players are at the top of prospect boards than pitchers. While good pitching is necessary, teams will probably not overdraft a pitcher they know they can get later in the draft.

Go with five (+550), six (+430), or seven (+300).

Number of High School Players Drafted in the First Round: 11-12 (+470, FanDuel)

Over the last five drafts, 10-17 high school players got taken in the first round each year. While there are plenty of solid high school prospects this year, it is a good year for college players. Mocks have as many as 14 or 15 high school players going in the first, but we think the number will be a little lower.

Best Sports Betting Apps for MLB Odds

How can you find the best sports betting apps for MLB odds? Who you can bet with depends on who operates in your state. This is where six of the best sports betting apps are licensed to take bets:

• BetMGM: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY
• Caesars: AZ, CO, IN, IA, IL, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA & WV
• BetRivers: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MI, NY, PA, WV & VA, CT & NJ
• FanDuel: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY
• PointsBet: CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA & WV
• DraftKings: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY

Those are the biggest shops, but some smaller operators contribute to providing customers with deep menus.

Best Sportsbook Bonuses for Betting on MLB Odds

Bet Now: World Series odds | MLB odds | MLB MVP odds | NL Cy Young odds | AL Cy Young odds