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LSU, Tennessee see impressive number of players selected in 2023 MLB Draft

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•07/11/23•

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RHP Paul Skenes, OF Dylan Crews
Dylan Widger | USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 MLB Draft came to a close on Tuesday, with rounds 11-20 taking place from Seattle. Plenty of dreams came true over the past three days, ranging from stars we know in college baseball to high school kids coming from small towns. However, just under 40% of the selections came from Power Five schools.

D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers put together a short final tally of draft picks, broken down by schools. To no surprise, LSU wound up on top following their national championship at the College World Series in Omaha. Their semifinal opponent finished in second place, while a familiar SEC foe was not too far behind, tied for fourth place.

  1. LSU – 13
  2. Wake Forest – 10
  3. Stanford – 9
  4. Arizona State, Dallas Baptist, Tennessee – 8

LSU saw their first pick go No. 1 overall as Paul Skenes will play in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. You have to scroll all the way to the 19th round to find the program’s last selection with Christian Little going No. 576 overall to the New York Mets.

Eleven more players are in-between Skenes and Little throughout the remaining 18 rounds.

As for Tennessee, pitcher Chase Dollander was the crown jewel out of Knoxville. He is heading to the Mile High City with the Colorado Rockies, hoping to become the franchise’s ace. Dollander was the third college pitcher off the board as well.

LSU Baseball makes history with Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews

LSU may have had the most players drafted in Seattle but what they did at the top of the draft was way more impressive. For the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, two players from the same school were selected with the top two picks.

As mentioned, Skenes will be in Pittsburgh while outfielder Dylan Crews is a Washington National. There was some debate between the two as to who should go No. 1 but the Pirates ultimately went with the pitcher who can throw 100 miles per hour and have three plus offspeed pitches. Probably a good choice.

It’s been a cool past few weeks for everyone in Baton Rouge. First, they bring home a national championship under head coach Jay Johnson. Then, 13 different Tigers hear their name called at the MLB Draft.

Both are incredible moments, especially for Skenes and Crews. Now, once they make it to the majors in a short time, they will be opponents fighting it out for a World Series ring.