MLB Pipeline posted a new mock draft ahead of the College World Series, which begins today. They have the Pittsburgh Pirates taking LSU outfielder Dylan Crews with the first overall pick, but there is an interesting note in the article.
Pipeline calls Crews to consensus top player in this draft class, though I don’t think he’s as far ahead of the pack as that sounds. As we have mentioned here multiple times, the top five picks in this class all have #1 overall talent according to scouts and draft experts.
LSU pitcher Paul Skenes, Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford and prep outfielders Max Clark and Walker Jenkins could all go first in an average year for draft talent.
This year doesn’t appear to be a deep year for talent, so there’s a drop-off outside of this group. From what I’ve read recently, it appears that the Pirates are concentrating on this group.
Skenes, Langford and Crews will be in the spotlight, as their teams are involved in the College World Series. Florida opens up tonight, while LSU starts tomorrow night. That will give the Pirates are chance to see those players perform on the big stage.
The article from Pipeline mentions that Max Clark is a real possibility for the Pirates, because they believe that he would take the biggest discount to sign. That note is also highlighted in their fifth pick for the Minnesota Twins, where they say that if Clark doesn’t go first, the Twins would be his next most likely landing spot.
There’s a difference of nearly $2.6M between the draft slot for first overall, and the slot value of the fifth overall pick. If Pipeline is correct in their assessment, then you would believe that there’s a middle ground where the two sides could meet.
The Pirates already have the largest draft bonus pool this year. They have proven each year that they will spend their entire pool, while also utilizing the 5% allowed/taxable overage in most years. Saving on the first pick, while still getting a first overall type talent, would really allow them to stockpile talent.
Crews and Langford have two advantages over Clark (and Jenkins) in that they have a higher floor and would provide help quicker to the Pirates due to their experience. There’s a possibility that those factors could weigh into their decision as well.
The draft opens up 23 days from now, with the Pirates on the clock for the first overall pick.
