Dodgers take high school outfielder Kendall George, Virginia infielder Jake Gelof on first day of 2023 MLB Draft
The Dodgers have selected high school outfielder Kendall George with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
George, 18, is one of a just a handful of high schoolers taken in this year's first round, currently ranking as the No. 2 overall outfielder in Texas and No. 17 in the nation by Perfect Game. He is ranked as the 65th best prospect in the entire draft by MLB Pipeline.
A senior at Atascocita High School in Humble Texas, George is 5-foot, 10-inches tall and is currently committed to the University of Arkansas.
While he isn't know for power at the plate, George is considered one of the fastest players in this year's draft, with MLB ranking his speed as 80 grade (out of 80).
Related: Angels select FAU first baseman Nolan Schanuel with No. 11 pick in 2023 MLB Draft
CBS Sports compares the speedy outfielder to Juan Pierre, a former Dodger outfielder who played 14 big league seasons, retiring No. 18 all time in stolen bases.
He's the first high schooler taken by the Dodgers franchise since they took second baseman Gavin Lux in 2016.
The Dodgers first round pick number fell 10 spots because their payroll exceeded the luxury tax threshold by more than $40 million.
With the 60th pick, the Boys in Blue selected power-hitting corner infielder Jake Gelof out of the University of Virigina. He is currently their all-time leader in home runs and holds the record for single season RBIs and homers.
Gelof, 21, is a 6-foot, 1-inch junior from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He was ranked as the 35th overall prospect by MLB Pipeline ahead of the draft.
He finished the season as a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, traditionally given to college baseball's best player. He was also named a Second Team All-American by Baseball News and NCBWA.
In three seasons with the Commodores, Gelof compiled staggering offensive numbers. In 161 career games, he has a .329 average with 48 homers and 186 RBIs.
His brother, Zack, was also selected at the same point of the MLB Draft in 2021, when the Oakland Athletics picked him with the 60th pick.
