2023 MLB Draft Preview: Where LSU Baseball's Stars Could Land

The Tigers look to make history when the MLB Draft kicks off on Sunday, a look into few projections.

The 2023 MLB Draft is set to get started this Sunday, July 9 with several LSU Tigers prepared to hear their names called early.

Jay Johnson’s program will be well-represented once again with both Paul Skenes and SEC Player of the Year Dylan Crews sitting in the No. 1 pick conversation with the Pittsburgh Pirates waiting to make their selection.

There are a few storylines to monitor heading into this year’s draft. Dylan Crews has shown little interest in going to Pittsburgh. How will this shake up the top of the MLB Draft order?

Here are the latest projections on where LSU’s stars could land:

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 made a meteoric rise once 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 overall. It’s likely, at this point, that Skenes or Clark go No. 1 with Crews sitting there at No. 2.

Tre’ Morgan - Second Round

Morgan took the country by storm during his third season in Baton Rouge. A three-year starter for LSU, the Louisiana native became a key piece to the Tigers taking home the 2023 National Championship. Now, all focus shifts to the MLB Draft.

A player who could hear his name called early in the second round, the upside of Morgan is appealing to organizations at the professional level. He’s proven he can hit with power when needed and his hand speed continues improving.

In the field, Morgan is a freak. During the 2023 season, Morgan started out in left field for the Tigers making highlight reel play after highlight reel play. The athleticism he attains only makes him that much more lethal in the field.

During the Tigers 2023 postseason run, Coach Jay Johnson put Morgan back at first base, a position he started at for most of his career. The move proved to be effective after Morgan showcased how impressive he is in this area. Fast forward to the MLB Draft and the New Orleans native has the chance to hear his name called early.

Ty Floyd - Third Round

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 third round. 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 100 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.

Jordan Thompson - Third Round

It’s best to put behind Thompson’s 2023 College World Series showing and look at the full body of work he strung together during the 2023 season. A wizard at shortstop, Thompson has the chance to hear his name called in the third round of this year’s MLB Draft.

There remains work to be done at the plate, but as gifted as they come in the infield, the California native will certainly be drafted early. Thompson has proven to be masterful for the Tigers, and with a major league organization behind him, the sky’s the limit.