Inbox: Redoing the top 10 picks of the 2023 Draft

It's not easy writing a Pipeline Inbox while distracted by Championship Series games, Arizona Fall League contests, Thursday Night Football and thoughts of Connor Bedard. Let's get to your questions before something else catches my eye...

After seeing the 2023 drafted players, how would you draft the Top 10 now? -- @Cholson1818

I don't put too much stock into first-year performance by draftees, many of whom had long layoffs before they made their pro debuts. The order in which I would make the top 10 picks of the 2023 Draft is probably colored more by what they did during the spring, but I'm happy to play along. Here are my choices, with the team's actual selection in parentheses.

• MLB Pipeline | Top 100 prospects | Prospect video

1. Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP (Skenes)
At worst, Skenes is the second-best pitching prospect in Draft history -- I'm all in.
2. Nationals: Dylan Crews, OF (Crews)
In most Drafts, Crews would be the easy No. 1 overall choice.
3. Tigers: Wyatt Langford, OF (Max Clark, OF)
Has made what was a narrow gap between Crews and him even closer.
4. Rangers: Walker Jenkins, OF (Langford)
Looked even better than advertised in his pro debut, which seems impossible.
5. Twins: Max Clark, OF (Jenkins)
Struggled the most of the five No. 1 overall-caliber talents, still posted a .759 OPS.
6. Athletics: Rhett Lowder, RHP (Jacob Wilson, SS)
Huge value as a high-floor guy who will arrive quickly, at least a mid-rotation starter.
7. Reds: Kyle Teel, C (Lowder)
Shouldn't have slid to Red Sox at No. 14, looked good zooming to Double-A afterward.
8. Royals: Matt Shaw, SS (Blake Mitchell, C)
Can do it all offensively, could join Cubs lineup at some point in 2024.
9. Rockies: Chase Dollander, RHP (Dollander)
Some risk after odd junior year but can get back to dominant self by raising arm slot.
10. Marlins: Aidan Miller, 3B (Noble Meyer, RHP)
Miami can use some potent bats, Miller is a gut-feel guy for me.

What Orioles prospects do you deal for a No. 1 starter? Still think we need one more guy with experience ... [Mitch] Keller type. -- @patrick_sears

My readers apparently want me to join the Orioles' front office. In my last Pipeline Inbox, I was asked to determine Baltimore's 2025 lineup. Now I'm tasked with bolstering the rotation for a deeper playoff run next year.

There's no way the Orioles would or should part with Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson or Jackson Holliday (MLB No. 1) in any deal. But they have so many desirable young hitters that many other possibilities remain. No. 1 starter types aren't usually available in trade, but let's look at some arms who could be on the market.

Corbin Burnes seems to want out of Milwaukee, though he'll be a free agent after the 2024 season. The Brewers are contenders, so they want more immediate help. Offer Cedric Mullins and replace him in the Baltimore outfield with Colton Cowser (MLB No. 14)?

Dylan Cease comes with two years of team control and the White Sox are going to need time and prospects to rebuild. Package infielder Jordan Westburg with outfielders Heston Kjerstad (MLB No. 24) and Dylan Beavers (BAL No. 9)?

The Marlins have pitching, need offense and Edward Cabrera won't become a free agent until after 2028. Get him and gamble on Dax Fulton (recovering from a second Tommy John surgery) in exchange for shortstop Joey Ortiz (MLB No. 50)?

The Athletics probably won't want to pay two more years of arbitration to Paul Blackburn. Pry him away with second baseman/outfielder Connor Norby (BAL No. 7)?

Now Mike Elias can get to work.

Who's the most underrated catching prospect? -- @realtannerskelton via Instagram

The Cubs' Moises Ballesteros (CHC No. 7) is the most underrated catching prospect in the game. His bat-to-ball skills are so advanced that he made it to Single-A at age 18 and Double-A this season at 19. He has a sweet left-handed stroke, controls the strike zone like a veteran and batted .285/.374/.449 with 14 homers in 117 games this year -- with just 10 of his 494 plate appearances coming against pitchers who were younger than him.

Listed at 5-foot-7 and 195 pounds, Ballesteros is at least 25 pounds heavier than that. He does have the soft, quick hands to become a good receiver, is making progress as a blocker and has solid arm strength. There are questions as to whether he can remain behind the plate, but he's better back there than he gets credit for.

Ballesteros could be Chicago's version of Alejandro Kirk. Don't be surprised if he cracks MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects List in 2024.

When will you post the Draft rankings for 2024? Keep up the great work! -- @speedypetey66

Even with the MLB playoffs and the Arizona Fall League in full swing, I'm starting to catch Draft fever! We usually run our initial Draft Top 100 in early December, and that's the plan again this year.

If you can't wait that long, I do have some good news. Next week, I'll break down the top 20 players in the college crop and Jonathan Mayo will do the same for the high school class.