MLB Pipeline came out with a mock draft today, with LSU outfielder Dylan Crews being projected to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the first overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft.
Right after the Pirates won the pick in last week’s MLB Draft Lottery, Baseball America came out with a mock draft that also had Crews as the pick.
A lot can change in the seven months before the draft takes place, so you’re really just getting an early list of possibilities for the pick, with Crews as the early number one prospect.
There were some differences between the descriptions of Crews from the two outlets.
BA’s description called him a power hitting corner outfielder, with some mild swing-and-miss concerns that keep him from separating himself from the pack.
Pipeline notes the power-hitting part (which no one questions), but they say he’s a center fielder who could have a plus hit tool.
If you’re a Pirates fan, the Pipeline report sounds a lot better. BA still considers Crews the top prospect, so it’s only a matter of how his lofty upside will play out.
Since he’s been mentioned twice, and will obviously be a big part of our draft coverage this year, here are some looks at Crews. The first one is from BA:
The next video from Prospects Worldwide has full at-bats, slightly edited for time. You get to see a lot of pitches here, good mixed with bad.
This video from 2080 Baseball really has a good view of what Crews does with his front foot right before the pitch comes in. Definitely interesting, but it works for him.
