3 college players the Reds should target in Round 1 of the 2023 MLB Draft & 1 they should avoid

The 2023 MLB Draft is nearly upon us. Two years ago, the Cincinnati Reds grabbed one of the finest college players on the planet in Matt McLain.

The former UCLA Bruins infielder is now starring as the Reds starting shortstop and is contention for top rookie honors this season.

Will the Reds go the college route once again in the 2023 MLB Draft? If they do, there are a hnadful of top-notch players to target, but one that they should avoid.

Reds should target Wake Forest pitcher Rhett Lowder in Round 1 of the 2023 MLB Draft.

By now, every Reds fan has probably heard the name Rhett Lowder. The Wake Forest pitcher put together a terrific season for the Demon Deacons and could be the first pitcher to come off the board in Round 1 of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Lowder may be the safest choice in the upcoming draft. The right-hander recorded 143 punch outs in just over 120 innings of work this season while occupying the role of Wake Forest's ace. This was the second year in a row that Lowder recorded 100 or more strikeouts, as he whiffed 105 batters in less than 100 innings last season.

A lot of mock drafts view Lowder as the most likely player to be taken by Cincinnati in Round 1, but you never know how the first round will unfold. There's always a team or two who may look to go under slot-value with their first selection, which would inevitably shake up the 2023 MLB Draft.

If Rhett Lowder is still on the board when the Cincinnati Reds make their selection at No. 7, the club will surely take a long look. Seeing how depleted the Reds rotation has been this season, Lowder represents a pitcher who could be fast-tracked to the big leagues. Probably not this season, but within a year or two.