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Dodgers take 3 high schoolers on Day 2 of draft, beginning with Brady Smith

July 11, 2023

The Dodgers kicked off Day 2 of the MLB amateur draft by selecting Grainger (Tenn.) pitcher Brady Smith. The right-hander was the first of 10 picks the Dodgers made between the third and 10th rounds of the draft, including a pair of compensation picks after the fourth round.

Smith, 18, is committed to Virginia Tech. Dodgers amateur scouting director Billy Gasparino said Sunday that he planned to select a number of high school players in addition to their first overall selection, Texas high school outfielder Kendall George, and he delivered three more beginning with Smith with the No. 95 pick overall.

In addition to a fastball that regularly clocks 93 mph according to multiple reports, Smith throws a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. Listed at a wiry 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Smith has also played basketball.

In the fourth round (127th overall), the Dodgers selected Wyatt Crowell, a left-handed pitcher from Florida State. Mostly a relief pitcher in college, Crowell had Tommy John surgery after making four relief appearances this season.

In the compensation round, the Dodgers selected University of Texas outfielder Dylan Campbell (136th overall) and Middle Tennessee State right-hander Eriq Swan (137th overall).

Campbell, like George, fills the Dodgers’ lust for base-stealing prowess, while Swan’s fastball reportedly topped out at 102 mph in college.

Joe Vetrano, a left-handed hitting first baseman from Boston College, was the Dodgers’ fifth-round pick (163rd overall). Initially a two-way player, Vetrano focused on hitting this season and blasted 22 home runs.

Carlos Beltran Academy shortstop Bryan Gonzalez was the Dodgers’ sixth-round pick (190th overall). The 17-year-old is committed to Illinois State.

Right-handed pitcher Patrick Copen of Marshall University was the Dodgers’ seventh-round pick (220th overall). He is listed at 6-6 and 220 pounds, and throws a fastball, slider and curveball.

High school outfielder Jaron Elkins was the Dodgers’ eighth-round pick (250th overall) from Goodpasture Christian School in Tennessee.

Ball State right-hander Ryan Brown was the Dodgers’ ninth-round pick (280th overall). Armed with a fastball and a changeup, his draft stock slipped due to arm and knee injuries as a junior.

The Dodgers’ final pick on Day 2 of the draft was Sacred Heart University shortstop Sam Mongelli.

The draft concludes with rounds 11-20 on Tuesday, beginning at 11 a.m. PT.

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