College World Series final features Top 3 Draft prospects
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After splitting the first two games in a best-of-3 series, Florida and LSU will face off at 7 p.m. ET Monday in a winner-take-all finale to determine the champion of the Men's College World Series.
Helping determine that outcome will be the MLB Pipeline’s Top 3 Draft prospects in Dylan Crews (LSU), Paul Skenes (LSU) and Wyatt Langford (Florida).
Crews has been Pipeline’s top Draft prospect for quite some time and for good reason. The 21-year-old outfielder has an overall 65 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale, including a 70-grade hit tool. Crews has the optimal combination of loud tools, a diverse skill set and the production to match his raw skills. Playing in one of college baseball’s best leagues in the SEC, Crews has slashed a whopping .421/.564/.706 with 18 home runs.
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Skenes might be the best Draft pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. Skenes, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, has produced one of the best seasons in history from a college pitcher. In 19 starts totaling 122 2/3 innings, Skenes has a 1.69 ERA and an SEC-record 209 strikeouts. In his last start against Wake Forest in an elimination semifinal, Skenes pitched eight scoreless innings while striking out nine. Despite pitching four days ago, there’s a good chance Skenes will find a way to pitch Monday.
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Langford is quite the talent, too. Ranked as the No. 3 Draft prospect, he has been a major cog in Florida’s run this season, nearly matching Crews' production with 20 home runs and a .373 batting average in 63 games. MLB Pipeline gave Langford an overall 60 grade, including a 65 on his power, which has shown up in a major way all season. Langford went 5-for-5 with a home run and two doubles in Game 2 against LSU.
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In addition to Langford, the Gators feature shortstop Josh Rivera (the No. 111 Draft prospect) and pitchers Hurston Waldrep and Brandon Sproat (Nos. 20 and 79, respectively. Neither is expected to pitch Monday).
LSU slugger Tre' Morgan (No. 136) could make an impact in the finale. The Tigers also have another pair of ranked pitchers unlikely to appear -- Ty Floyd (No. 87) and Grant Taylor (No. 98).
Two-way talent Jac Caglianone is expected to start for Florida, and he’s one of several potential first-rounders for the 2024 Draft who will be on hand. Count LSU’s Thatcher Hurd and Tommy "Tanks" White among that group.
It’s hard to imagine a better final outcome for college baseball and Draft fans alike. Two of college baseball’s powerhouse programs will match up in a must-win final game of the season that also includes the Top 3 Draft prospects, creating an optimal baseball viewing experience. Fans can watch the MCWS final on ESPN.