College World Series final features Top 3 Draft prospects
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.
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.
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.
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.