Louisville Players Who Could Get Selected in 2023 MLB Draft

The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft is roughly two weeks away, and there are several Cardinals who could be selected.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the Louisville baseball program well into their offseason, one of the first orders of business after summer assignments is roster management. More specifically, figuring out what players you will and will not be losing to the MLB Draft.

Even with the draft getting a permanent reduction to 20 rounds, Louisville will still be losing a sizable amount of talent to the draft, as they typically have every year in the Dan McDonnell era. Below are the Cardinals most likely to hear their name called sometime between July 9 and July 11, sorted by category:

Likely Early Departures

Christian Knapczyk

Position: Shortstop
Measurables: 5-9, 165
Class: Junior
2023 Statline (45 GP, 169 AB): .331/.455/.408, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 8 2B, 1 3B, 21 BB, 19 SB

A table-setter in every sense, Knapczyk was the catalyst for Louisville's offense. Leading the team in hit-by-pitches (19) and steals (19), while coming in second in on base percentage, his absence was felt during the handful of games he missed due to injuries. There are concerns about his defensive inconsistencies, but his ability to get on base makes him a potentially high draft pick.

Jack Payton

Position: Catcher
Measurables: 5-11, 200
Class: Junior
2023 Statline (48 GP, 179 AB): 374/.472/.642, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 10 2B, 1 3B, 22 BB, 8 SB

As good as Knapczyk was, the star of the show at the plate for Louisville was Payton. He was the runaway teams leader in hits (67), OPS (1.114) and total bases (115), while tied for first in homers and third in RBIs. He defense behind the dish has also improved over time, which should help him become the third-consecutive highly drafted Louisville catcher.

Top Upperclassmen

Ryan Hawks

Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Measurables: 6-2, 235
Class: Senior (Has Optional 2024 COVID Waiver)
2023 Statline (15 GP, 14 GS): 4.58 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 76.2 IP, 80 K, 23 BB, 88 H, .296 AVG

Hawks started the season as the Cardinals' Friday night starter, and never gave up that title. While he did have a handful of shaky outings, he still led the team in strikeouts and should hear his name called sometime during the MLB Draft.

Tate Kuehner

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Measurables: 6-1, 195
Class: Senior (Has Optional 2024 COVID Waiver)
2023 Statline (19 GP, 2 GS): 3.99 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 38.1 IP, 54 K, 21 BB, 28 H, .197 AVG, 5 SV

Transitioning from a pseudo-starter role in 2022, Kuehner wound up being one of Louisville's better relievers this past season. Despite allowing multiple earned runs in five of his outings, 12 of his appearances were clean sheets.

Evan Webster

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Measurables: 6-3, 240
Class: Senior (Has Optional 2024 COVID Waiver)
2023 Statline (22 GP, 3 GS): 3.09 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 35.0 IP, 36 K, 9 BB, 32 H, .246 AVG, 2 SV

Webster earned a reputation for helping Louisville get out of bases loaded jams, and was statistically the Cardinals' most consistent relief pitcher. Six of his 12 earned runs on the season came in just one appearance: the midseason loss to Lipscomb.

Potential Late Rounders

Greg Farone

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Measurables: 6-6, 245
Class: Junior
2023 Statline (21 GP, 6 GS): 4.80 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 50.2 IP, 65 K, 35 BB, 42 H, .220 AVG

Over the first month of the season, it seemed like Farone would be a lock to be a high draft pick due to his high strikeout rate. But his ability to throw quality strikes dipped very quickly, eventually resulting in him moving to the bullpen. He was able to finish the season somewhat strong, and a team could take a waiver on him due to his K% alone.

Riley Phillips

Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Measurables: 6-4, 195
Class: Junior
2023 Statline (16 GP, 4 GS): 4.08 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 35.1 IP, 46 K, 24 BB, 30 H, .226 AVG

Phillips bounced in between the starting rotation and the bullpen during the 2023 season, and saw varying results in both capacities. He struggled a bit as a starter, logging a 6.75 ERA in his four starts (10 ER in 13.1 IP). He was much better as a reliever, posting an ERA of just 0.82 in 12 relief appearances, with eight of them being scoreless outings.

(Photo of Christian Knapczyk via University of Louisville Athletics)

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