Jay Johnson 'proud' of both Skenes, Crews ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft

LSU was able to win a national championship last month in large part to the play of RHP Paul Skenes and OF Dylan Crews. Now, later on tonight, both will take their talents as prospects that two teams will select highly in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Ahead of what could be a historic night for the Tigers if the duo were to go No. 1 and No. 2 in the draft, Jay Johnson still had nothing but high praises to sing about both players. In an interview with Ryan Fagan at The Sporting News, he described the moment as “special” considering what it means for Skenes and Crews. He also knows it says a lot about the development that LSU does in Baton Rouge.

“It’ll be pretty special,” Johnson said. “Obviously, it’s always about the team. But I have a different view maybe on things. Like, obviously, we want to win and we want to win championships. But how we do that is really important to me and you do that through development.”

“To see Dylan and Paul, or Paul and Dylan, go as the first two picks in the draft? (It’s) something that I’m really proud of them for. They’re unbelievable players and very worthy of being selected up there,” continued Johnson. “And they’re Hall of Fame people. Whatever team gets them is going to have a different organization immediately. Not just because of the talent they’re adding but the person they’re adding.”

Johnson went on to say how proud he is of both players. In his mind, whatever franchises end up with Skenes or Crews are getting the best that draft has to offer when it comes to both players and people.

“I’m just so proud of both of them. It can be boiled down to this: Let’s just say the Pittsburgh and Washington organizations are going to be changed by drafting either of these guys,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t matter who goes first and who goes second. It’s an elite, future All-Star player or pitcher that is a Hall of Fame human being.”

Skenes took home the Dick Howser Trophy this season. Meanwhile, Crews picked up the Golden Spikes Award for himself. In the end, both were Consensus First-Team All-Americans and were both First-Team All-SEC. They also were huge parts in LSU winning the program’s seventh national championship at this year’s College World Series.