MLB Draft: LSU Pitcher Ty Floyd Selected No. 38 Overall by the Cincinnati Reds

Floyd took the country by storm during the CWS Finals, stock soars into the first round.

Ty Floyd took the country by storm after striking out 17 batters against Florida in the College World Series Finals, and after the historic performance, his MLB Draft stock soared. Now, Floyd has been selected No. 38 overall by the Cincinnati Reds.

The one-two punch of Paul Skenes and Floyd gave LSU’s pitching rotation a boost week in and week out. The rise of Floyd propelled the Tigers to a National Championship, giving this program the extra push they needed to get over the hump.

Floyd, a native of Rockmart, Ga., was voted to the 2023 College World Series All-Tournament Team, as he made two starts and recorded 27 strikeouts in 13.0 innings while limiting opponents to five runs on seven hits and a .156 batting average.

He recorded a brilliant outing in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals vs. Florida (June 24), working 8.0 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and a career-high 17 strikeouts. The 17 Ks represented the most by an LSU pitcher in a CWS game and it tied the CWS record for most strikeouts in a game prior to extra innings.

Floyd posted a 7-0 record on the year with a 4.35 ERA in 91.0 innings, recording 37 walks and 120 Ks. Floyd finished No. 4 in the SEC in strikeouts (120) and No. 5 in the league in opponent batting avg. (.208), and his strikeouts total (120) placed him No. 12 in the nation.

Here’s what MLB.com had to say of Floyd ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft:

“Floyd's fastball sat at 91-94 mph and topped out at 97 last spring, ticked up a couple of notches during the fall and is enhanced by quality induced vertical break and high spin rates that produce difficult carry up in the zone. He unveiled a more reliable breaking ball in the fall with a low-80s slider with depth that's superior to his downer mid-70s curveball. He also owns a low-80s changeup with fade but doesn't use it very often.

More physical than athletic, Floyd has a quick arm and generates velocity with relative ease. He could be a No. 4 starter at the big league level if he can refine his secondary pitches and throw them for strikes more often. If he can't, then he profiles as a fastball-heavy reliever.”

Now, Floyd is a first round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft with his career set to get started with the Reds organization.