LSU stars, Wyatt Langford fall in latest MLB mock draft

As the College World Series took over the baseball world, MLB fans were getting a front-row show on the game’s next stars. Particularly from LSU and Florida, where the championship series contained three players who could be selected in the top three of the 2023 MLB Draft.

LSU OF Dylan Crews, Florida OF Wyatt Langford, and LSU RHP Paul Skenes, for the most part, have been considered the top three come July 9. However, the latest MLB mock draft from Perfect Game has all three stars falling from their respective position.

Instead, a prep outfielder gets selected No. 1 overall while Langford holds on for dear life in the top five.

Perfect Game releases 2023 MLB Mock Draft

1. Pittsburgh Pirates – Max Clark, HS OF
2. Washington Nationals – Paul Skenes, LSU RHP
3. Detroit Tigers – Dylan Crews, LSU OF
4. Texas Rangers – Walker Jenkins, HS OF
5. Minnesota Twins – Wyatt Langford, Florida OF
6. Oakland A’s – Kyle Teel, Virginia C
7. Cincinnati Reds – Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest RHP
8. Kansas City Royals – Brayden Taylor, TCU
9. Colorado Rockies – Chase Dollander, Tennessee RHP
10. Miami Marlins – Nolan Schanuel FAU 1B/OF
11. Los Angeles Angels – Hurston Waldrep, Florida RHP
12. Arizona Diamondbacks – Enrique Bradfield, Vanderbilt OF
13. Chicago Cubs – Arjun Nimmala, HS SS
14. Boston Red Sox – Colt Emerson, HS SS/3B
15. Chicago White Shox – Jacob Gonzalez, Ole Miss SS
16. San Francisco Giants – Walker Martin, HS SS
17. Baltimore Orioles – Chase Davis, Arizona OF
18. Milwaukee Brewers – Tommy Troy, Stanford 2B
19. Tampa Bay Rays – Sammy Stafura, HS SS
20. Toronto Blue Jays – Joe Whitman, Kent State LHP
21. St. Louis Cardinals – Matt Shaw, Maryland SS
22. Seattle Mariners – Thomas White, HS LHP
23. Cleveland Guardians – Jacob Wilson, Grand Canyon SS
24. Atlanta Braves – Brock Wilken, Wake Forest 3B
25. San Diego Padres – Aidan Miller, HS 3B
26. New York Yankees – Bryce Eldridge, HS RHP/1B
27. Philadelphia Phillies – Noble Meyer, HS RHP
28. Houston Astros – Yohandy Morales, Miami SS

Explanation provided on draft positions of Crews, Langford, and Skenes

Not seeing one of Crews or Skenes go No. 1 overall is quite surprising, especially after their College World Series performances. But the Pirates have gone in different directions at the top of the draft before and Perfect Game believes they will again.

“To sum this up succinctly, I’ve heard enough buzz about this to project (Clark) as a real possibility,” Brian Sakowski of Perfect Game explained. “I don’t know for sure what Pittsburgh will do, but I’ve heard that Clark, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews and Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford are the three main names here, with the latest intel saying one of Clark/Langford to be more likely than Crews.”

Washington would then be put in a scenario where they would have to choose between the Tiger outfielder or right-handed pitcher. Skenes has reportedly been the guy for some time and the Nationals would stick to it given the option.

“Dylan Crews being here in this scenario likely muddies the waters, but the common refrain for months now is that Skenes is likely to be Washington’s pick,” Sakowski said. “If it’s not him, it seems more likely to be a college bat than a prep one as of right now.”

Sakowski also added if Skenes does not get selected second overall, his floor would be at No. 4 with the Texas Rangers.

As for Langford — Perfect Game’s No. 2 ranked prospect — Perfect Game said Texas would pass on him in favor of Jenkins due to the duo being linked for some time now. The Twins would be happy to select the Florida slugger and potentially feel like they got a steal.