Mariners select SS Tai Peete 30th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft
SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Mariners have selected shortstop Tai Peete out of Trinity Christian School (Sharpsburg, GA) with their third selection (30th overall) in the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Director of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter announced tonight.
Peete, 17, batted .414 (36x87) with 47 runs, 8 doubles, 4 triples, 12 home runs and 40 RBI while getting on base at a .536 clip and slugging 1.011 (1.548 OPS) with 17 stolen bases in 28 games during his senior year at Trinity Christian School. Through 4 high school seasons, Peete batted .403 with 22 home runs and 57 stolen bases with a 1.311 OPS.
“Tai Peete is a left-handed hitting high school shortstop from Georgia,” Hunter said. “Tai is a great athlete with big upside potential both at the plate and on the field. We see Tai as a potential five-tool player that will possess the rare combination of speed and power. We are excited to add this type of athlete with this type of potential to our organization.”
Perfect Game ranks Peete as the No. 2 shortstop and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Georgia, and No. 20 overall prospect nationally for the class of 2023.
In performances at the 2023 Draft Combine, Peete led hitters in longest average distance during batting practice (350 ft) and recorded the longest average drives (338 ft) and highest average launch angle (38 degrees) on Day 2. Peete also recorded a 6.64 second 60-yard dash during his 2022 Perfect Game National Showcase.
Peete committed to play baseball at Georgia Tech University (Atlanta, GA) on November 14, 2022.
The Mariners selected INF Colt Emerson (22nd overall) and OF Jonny Farmelo (29th overall) with their first and second picks in the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Seattle will make one more selection tonight with their 2nd round pick (57th overall).
The 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft continues tomorrow with rounds 3-10, beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT. Rounds 11-20 will take place on Tuesday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. PT.