ESPN has published a speculative redraft that merges the 2023, 2024, and 2025 MLB draft classes into one unified 60-pick exercise, playing general manager for all 30 teams. The piece juxtaposes premier talents such as Pirates ace Paul Skenes, first baseman Nick Kurtz, injured infielder J.J. Wetherholt, and prep pitcher Konnor Griffin across three vintage years of amateur talent.
The exercise spotlights standout performers from each class, including Skenes—the 2023 No. 1 overall pick who has already established himself as an elite MLB starter—and 2024 top-10 picks like Jac Caglianone, whose two-way potential draws comparisons to Shohei Ohtani. The redraft also weighs college sluggers like Kurtz against prep phenoms such as Griffin, creating debate about risk versus immediate impact.
No actual team decisions are affected since this is a hypothetical re-imagining, but the piece provides a window into how front offices might reorder talent if given a second chance. The exercise implicitly questions whether the 2023 class, headlined by Skenes, holds more long-term value than the deeper but less proven 2024 and 2025 groups.
Looking ahead, future installments could incorporate the 2026 draft class as it develops, or serve as a reference point for how prospect evaluation evolves year over year. Teams with multiple high picks in this window—such as the Athletics and Reds—would theoretically benefit most from the depth of talent on offer.
"I don't think there's a wrong answer at the top of this hypothetical draft," an ESPN analyst said, though no specific source is named. "It depends entirely on whether you need a frontline starter or an everyday position player."