LSU duo headlines MLB Draft prospect list
As expected, Louisiana State University teammates outfielder Dylan Crews and right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes have been ranked the top two prospects in the upcoming 2023 MLB Draft, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
Crews, who has been ranked No. 1 since the process began, put up a .420/.567/.710 slash line with 15 home runs and more walks than strikeouts. With the chance to stick in centerfield due to his athleticism, Scouting officials have called him "The best college position player at this time in the draft since Adley Rutschman in 2019."
Coming off his second straight season as Southeastern Conference Baseball Player of the Year, Crews is projected by many to be taken with the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in July's 2023 MLB Draft.
He was not the only top talent on the Tigers baseball team, with Skenes coming to LSU this offseason from Air Force via the transfer portal the right-hander dominated the SEC in 2023 and solidified himself as the best pitcher in this year's draft in the process.
Leading the NCAA in strikeouts in 2023 with 167 in only 90 1/3 innings pitched, Skenes also picked up the SEC Pitcher of the Year award with a 10-2 record with a 1.89 ERA and 0.786 WHIP.
Skenes figures to be a fast riser through the system wherever he ends up, with one AL scouting director quoted saying "Skenes' stuff can play immediately."
While they may be ranked one and two on Mayo's list, that doesn't guarantee they will be the first two picks in the draft.
Florida Gators outfielder Wyatt Langford and high school outfielders Max Clark and Walker Jenkins also have great cases to be the top pick in the draft.
The Pirates will have to choose between going pitcher or taking an outfielder with the first choice in the draft.
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