CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A highly anticipated day has arrived for high school and college baseball players across the nation.
The 2023 MLB Draft begins Sunday with the first two rounds, along with competitive balance rounds and compensation picks. The draft continues on Monday and Tuesday for the remaining part of the selection process.
At least five players from the Charlotte area are among MLB's top 250 prospects and expect to have their names called during the draft.
Note: Updates will be made when players are selected.
Rhett Lowder (North Stanly HS, Wake Forest)
The top Charlotte area choice was Rhett Lowder, a right-handed pitcher from North Stanly High School who spent three years playing for Wake Forest University.
Lowder was selected by the Cincinnati Reds as the seventh pick in the draft.
Lowder was the sixth-best player and second-best pitcher in the draft, according to MLB analysts.
The top pitcher in the draft, LSU's Paul Skenes, played against Lowder in a College World Series pitching duel for the ages. After 10 scoreless innings, LSU won 2-0 in the 11th inning as both starting pitchers put up a remarkable performance.
Lowder allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out six batters through seven innings of work.
That performance wasn't an anomaly. Lowder put up a 1.87 ERA during the 2023 season and held an undefeated 15-0 record in 19 appearances. Lowder managed over 10 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023.
Before attending Wake Forest, Lowder excelled for the North Stanly Comets where he had a career ERA under one.
Cade Kuehler (Cuthbertson HS, Campbell University)
Waxhaw native Cade Kuehler is another highly-regarded pitcher in this year's draft. The Atlanta Braves selected Kuehler with the 70th pick in the draft.
Kuehler was the 59th-ranked prospect in the draft.
Kuehler entered the draft after his junior year at Campbell University.
With the Fighting Camels, Kuehler held a 3.54 career ERA and made the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team after his sophomore season, a first-ever honor for a Campbell player.
MLB analysts credit Kuehler's high-speed fastball as his best pitch.
Kuehler graduated from Cuthbertson High School in 2020 where he held a practically perfect 0.25 ERA.
Michael Carico (Davidson)
The highest-rated position player from the Charlotte area is Michael Carico, a catcher entering the draft after spending three years at Davidson College.
Carico was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the 149th pick in the draft.
Carico was the 110th-ranked player and fourth-highest-ranked catcher in the draft, according to MLB analysts.
Carico's stock skyrocketed after his sophomore season in 2022 when he led NCAA Division I in on-base percentage (.559) and on-base plus slugging (1.402).
MLB analysts say that Carico's catching and fielding skills will need to improve after he's drafted for him to become a prominent player.
Carico enrolled at Davidson after graduating from Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina.
Jake Cunningham (Ardrey Kell HS, Charlotte)
The highest-ranked Charlotte 49ers player is Jake Cunningham, an outfielder who graduated from Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte.
Cunningham was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 154th pick in the draft.
Cunningham was the 147th-ranked prospect in this year's draft.
MLB analysts say Cunningham has "some of the best all-around tools in the college class." Cunningham batted .348 in the 2023 season and launched 30 home runs.
Still, analysts worry about Cunningham's batting skills.
Cunningham spent two seasons in the Cape Cod League, a collegiate wooden bat summer league, and batted just .200/.367/.517 in 11 games.
Chance Mako (East Rowan HS)
Another East Rowan Mustang pitching standout was set to be chosen within the first five rounds.
Chance Mako, a right-handed pitcher, was the 162nd-ranked player in this year's draft, according to MLB analysts.
However, Mako still remains undrafted after the draft's first 10 rounds.
Mako graduated in 2023 and committed to North Carolina State. If he chooses to attend college instead of going pro, he'll be draft eligible again in 2025.
MLB analysts note that some of Mako's best highlights are back-to-back 25-strikeout games in 2023, both resulting in 1-0 victories for East Rowan.
Charlotte area players in MLB
If these players make it up the ranks of baseball all the way to the majors, they won't be the only ones from the Charlotte area.
Corey Seager (Cabarrus High School, Texas Rangers), Madison Bumgarner (South Caldwell High School, Arizona Diamondbacks), Alex Wood (Ardrey Kell High School, San Francisco Giants), and Alec Burleson (East Lincoln High School, St. Louis Cardinals), among others, are all players from around Charlotte excelling in MLB now.
