Top two picks in 2023 MLB Draft promoted to Double-A

The No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2023 MLB Draft, pitcher Paul Skenes and outfielder Dylan Crews, are quickly moving up the minor league ranks. 

On Sunday night, The Washington Post reported that the Nationals were promoting Crews from Low-A Fredericksburg to Double-A Harrisburg. Crews was with Fredericksburg for 14 games and slashed .355/.423/.645 with five home runs, 24 RBI and a stolen base. 

The Pirates announced on Monday that Skenes would make the jump from Low-A Bradenton to Double-A Altoona. Skenes hasn't had as many opportunities, as the Pirates are being very careful with his workload given the amount of innings he pitched in college. 

He made one start in the Florida Complex League, and two starts in Bradenton. Over those three appearances, Skenes pitched four innings of scoreless ball, only gave up one hit and struck out five while hitting triple digits with his fastball on multiple occasions. 

Skenes and Crews are both considered two of the top prospects in baseball, currently ranked by MLB.com as the No. 3 and No. 4 overall prospects in their most recent ranking. The back-to-back top picks were famously teammates on the 2023 College World Series champion LSU Tigers.

Crews made his Double-A debut on Tuesday night and did not miss a beat. Batting out of the leadoff spot, Crews went 1-1 with an RBI single, run scored, two walks, a steal and was even hit by a pitch.