2023 MLB Draft: The Latest on LSU Stars Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews

We’re two days away from the start of Sunday’s 2023 MLB Draft and the LSU Tigers will be well-represented at the top of the order. With Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews sitting atop the latest mocks, this program has the chance to make history.

Could there be some shakeup once Sunday rolls around?

There have been a few rumblings that the Pittsburgh Pirates could use their No. 1 overall pick on Franklin Community High School (Indiana) center fielder Max Clark. How would this change the rest of the order? It depends.

For now, Skenes remains at the top of the latest ESPN Mock Draft with the Tigers landing three players on the latest edition. Along with Skenes and Crews, Ty Floyd inserted his name into first round consideration.

Here’s where LSU’s stars were projected:

Paul Skenes - No. 1 Overall - Pittsburgh Pirates

Right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes strung together a historic season in Baton Rouge. After breaking the single-season strikeout record with a whopping 209, his combination of speed and command catapulted him into the No. 1 pick conversation alongside teammate Dylan Crews. In 2023 Skenes went 13-2 with a 1.69 ERA, in 19 starts while posting two complete games

Skenes has been in the midst of a meteoric rise ever since he made his decision to transfer to LSU in August. Once on campus, his life changed before his eyes. The two-way star was one of the most coveted players in the Transfer Portal due to his ability both hit and pitch, but once in Baton Rouge, the LSU coaching staff had him focus solely on pitching. With the help of both Jay Johnson and Wes Johnson, he reached his potential.

Now, Skenes is a frontrunner to be selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. There’s some noise that Franklin Community High School (Indiana) center fielder Max Clark could hear his name called, but Skenes is certainly a likely selection with the first overall selection.

Dylan Crews - No. 2 Overall - Washington Nationals

LSU center fielder Dylan Crews came into the 2023 season as the top prospect in all of college baseball. As consistent as they come at the plate, the patience and precision of Crews catapulted him to one of the best seasons in LSU history.

Crews took home SEC Player of the Year (2x), was named the Golden Spikes Award winner and even brought a Golden Glove Award back to Baton Rouge. Now, his legendary career will begin at the professional level. But where?

It’s understood Crews is the best prospect in the draft, but there remains rumblings of financial pieces to the puzzle that could see the two-time SEC Player of the Year go No. 2 or No. 3. It’s likely, at this point, that Skenes or Clark go No. 1 with Crews sitting there at No. 2.

Ty Floyd - No. 24 Overall - Atlanta Braves

Floyd strung together a masterful 2023 College World Series showing that likely made him some serious money heading into the MLB Draft. With the entire country watching, Floyd tallied 17 strikeouts on his way to leading the Tigers to a crucial victory in the College World Series Finals against Florida.

Now, it’s time to turn the page and begin his professional journey where he could hear his name called early in the late first round to early second round slot. Floyd’s four-pitch arsenal includes a lethal fastball, curveball, slider and changeup that has proven to be effective over time. We’ve seen his fastball hit the 96-97 mph range as well.

Floyd is rated as a Top 50 prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft with an organization getting a player with tremendous upside after a stellar season in Baton Rouge for the National Champion LSU Tigers.