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2023 STS MiLB Players of the Year: Outfield, Part 1

November 23, 2023 · Archives · Ross Jensen
2023 STS MiLB Players of the Year: Outfield, Part 1

Other Articles in this Series:

Analysis by Matt Morris | Intro by RFF

2023 was absurd at the top of the outfield prospect landscape. Four names separated themselves so dramatically that we had to split the outfield into three parts just to do them justice.

The Four Contenders

James Wood – Washington Nationals

The centerpiece of the Juan Soto trade. 6’7”, 250 lbs, still growing into his frame at age 20. The raw tools are off the charts, but a 36% K-rate in 2023 (AA/AAA) reminded everyone he’s still developing. When he barrels it, the ball disappears at 120+ mph. The speed is real (20+ SB pace). If the hit tool catches up, we’re talking a generational talent.

Pete Crow-Armstrong – Chicago Cubs

80-grade glove in center, 20 HR / 37 SB in 2023 across AA/AAA. The bat finally arrived — .283/.365/.511 with drastically improved power. PCA is the rare elite defender who now looks like a legitimate five-category threat.

Lázaro Montes – Seattle Mariners

18 years old. 6’3”, 240 lbs. Already hitting 118 mph bombs in the complex league and carrying a .321/.429/.565 line in Low-A. The swing is long, the K-rate is high, but the raw power is historic for his age. If he keeps improving contact like he did in 2023, he’s a future superstar.

Wyatt Langford – Texas Rangers

The 4th overall pick in 2023 didn’t just dominate college baseball — he dominated pro ball too. In 161 PA across four levels (High-A to AAA), Langford hit .360/.480/.677 with 10 HR and more walks (36) than strikeouts (34). Plus-plus hit, plus-plus power, plus speed, plus plate discipline. He did everything.

The Winner: Wyatt Langford

He swept every category:

  • StS staff consensus #1
  • StS 2023-only ranking #1
  • Follower vote on Twitter (X)

Langford’s pro debut was one of the most dominant in recent memory. The Rangers just won the World Series — adding a 22-year-old with this profile to an already loaded lineup is unfair.

Wood, PCA, and Montes are all elite talents who would have won this award in almost any other year. 2023 just happened to produce a once-in-a-decade outfield class.

2023 StS MiLB Outfielder of the Year (Part 1): Wyatt Langford