The Pittsburgh Pirates had the No. overall pick, and they didn't mess it up.
Paul Skenes is the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, a decision that felt obvious even before Ken Griffey Jr. read out the pick on the stage in Seattle. Next up was more of the same, with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reading out the pick: Dylan Crews to the Washington Nationals.
It was the first time in MLB history two teammates went 1-2 in the MLB draft.
Skenes becomes the first LSU player to go No. 1 overall since Ben McDonald was selected by the Baltimore Orioles at the top spot in 1989. It was McDonald's long-held SEC strikeout record that Skenes broke during a gripping, 8-inning performance against Wake Forest that helped the Tigers secure a spot in the championship series after some extra-inning heroics at the plate from Tommy White, who is not draft-eligible until next season. Skenes now holds that record with 209 strikeouts.
Skenes' accolades from his lone season in Baton Rouge are almost too long to list after he arrived by the NCAA Transfer Portal from Air Force. He was named the Dick Howser Award winner, given out to the top player in college baseball, along with D1 Baseball National Player of the Year and SEC Player of the Year. He finished the season with a 13-2 record along with a 1.69 ERA, and the aforementioned 209 strikeouts against an astoundingly low total of just 20 walks. Skenes led the nation in strikeouts as well WHIP (walks and hits divided by innings pitched). Skenes was also named the Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series.
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Crews, the 2023 Golden Spikes winner, continued his trajectory as possibly the greatest LSU position player of all time. The centerfielder built on his plate discipline as he drew a career high 71 walks, which was the highest in the nation. He finished the season with a .426 batting average, while also hitting 16 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs while driving in 70 RBIs and scoring 100 runs, a figure that also led the nation.
This draft will mark the third time in LSU history that the Tigers had multiple first-round selections, including Todd Walker and Russ Johnson in 1994, and Mike Fontenot and Todd Linden in 2001.
The Tigers have several other players that are expected to be picked in the 20-round draft, including pitchers Ty Floyd and Grant Taylor, first baseman Tre' Morgan. Shortstop Jordan Thompson and DH Cade Beloso could also be later-round selections.
Round 3-10 of the draft will be held on Monday (1 p.m. central), while Rounds 11-20 will take place on Tuesday (1 p.m. central).
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