SPECULATOR: The 2023 answer key

The answer key. This is the column we all wish we could travel back to March and read.

As we put a bow on the Speculator for 2023, it's time to reflect on how things shook out. We have final answers to a number of questions posed here back in February and March. We ran some preseason columns speculating on 2023's long-shot stat leaders and first-round players, as well as an all second-half team at the midway point.

Today, we’ll revisit those "out on a limb" calls—not only to see what went right or wrong—but to see how things actually played out, dropping in some 2024 takeaways along the way.

***

2023's end-of-season first round | March 22

Using history as our guide that the end-of-season Top 15 would come from all stages of the draft,...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From Speculator

We continue the rookie class check-in outside the Top 25 in this year's HQ100.
Jul 29 2026 3:09am
We check in on the Top 25 preseason prospects who have made their MLB debut so far, and speculate on their outlooks moving forward.
Jul 22 2026 3:06am
How much can we trust certain pitchers entering uncharted workload territory in the second half?
Jul 15 2026 3:07am
Aroldis Chapman is likely on the move, but instead of speculating on where he might go, we'll dive into potential fill-ins.
Jul 8 2026 3:07am
A retrospective look at first-half all-stars taken late in drafts, including CHW duo Miguel Vargas and Sam Antonacci.
Jul 1 2026 3:06am

Tools