Stanford's Tommy Troy projected to be a first round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft
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Stanford has been pumping out draft picks left and right over the past few seasons, but Tommy Troy has the chance to be their first player to be selected in the first round since 2018.
Last season, five of Troy's teammates were selected with outfielder Brock Jones being selected the highest in the second round, but this year it is Troy who is garnering the attention of MLB scouts. The Junior who has been playing third base this season can also play some outfield if needed, but it is his amazing bat that has put him on many team's radar.
Troy recently became the Pac-12 Batting Champion thanks to his stellar .404 batting average. He also showcased his power, hitting 13 home runs and racking up a .720 slugging percentage. Aside from having power to send any ball he sees over the fence, Troy also happens to be a speed demon on the base paths, racking up 16 stolen bases this season.
His ability to do everything is likely why in ESPN's first MLB Mock Draft, Troy was slated to go in the first round. Troy was projected to go to the San Francisco Giants with the No. 16 overall pick, but also was expected to garner a look by the Chicago Cubs who have the No. 13 pick. While the giants may look at younger prospects, they have had an affinity for college guys.
This is the high-water mark for polarizing Colorado prep shortstop Walker Martin, who is likely to get picked in the 20s or early 30s. The Giants have leaned toward college players with high picks under this regime, so I have them grabbing local boy Troy, who should go in this range anyway.
This could be somewhat of a full circle moment for Troy who is from Los Gatos, California which is about an hour away from Oracle Park. The junior has had quite the career on the farm, playing in 152 and starting 133 games and counting, accumulating a career .335 batting average, hitting 31 home runs, 97 RBI's, and stealing 26 bases along the way.
Troy will be a major reason that Stanford succeeds as they look to make it back to Omaha.