LSU Tigers outfielder Dylan Crews is the projected No. 2 overall pick in the latest 2023 MLB mock draft, either expected to be picked by the Pittsburgh Pirates or Washington Nationals. However, the team that signs the Golden Spikes Award winner will face a challenge signing him.
Crews, age 21, was the best player in college baseball this past season. The 6-foot outfielder, along with teammate Paul Skenes, led the Tigers to a national championship. Both LSU stars are viewed as two of the best teammates in college baseball history and are projected to be taken with back-to-back picks atop the 2023 MLB Draft.
- Dylan Crews stats (2023): .425/.567/.517, 18 home runs, 70 RBI, 1.280 OPS
The Pirates, holding the first pick, will have their choice between both players. While everyday players are traditionally deemed more valuable, Skenes’ projection as an ace who could contribute in an MLB rotation very soon firmly puts him in the mix to be drafted with the No. 1 pick.
Pirates’ general manager Ben Cherington isn’t expected to make his decision until Pittsburgh is officially on the clock on July 9 on ESPN. However, one factor could play a prominent role in the choice Pittsburgh makes.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, multiple teams picking at the top of the 2023 MLB Draft have indicated Crews is seeking a $10 million signing bonus from the club that drafts him.
- Dylan Crews career stats (LSU): 58 home runs, 184 RBI, 152/146 BB/K, .380/.498/.689, 1.187 OPS, 43 doubles, 23 steals in 196 games
It would be the largest in MLB history since the league adopted a cap on draft signing bonuses in 2022 to reduce how much teams had to pay their top picks. The current record is $8.416 million, the signing bonus received by Spencer Torkelson after the Detroit Tigers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Crews’ signing bonus would have a significant impact on the Nationals and Pirates. Pittsburgh has the highest bonus pool in the draft ($16.185 million). If it takes Crews, $10 million of that would be absorbed by Crews and that would dramatically impact the number of high school players and high-upside talents the Pirates could take in Rounds 2-5.
The Nationals have $14.502 million in bonus pool money, the third-most in the 2023 MLB Draft. If both the Pirates and Nationals passed on Crews, the Detroit Tigers ($15.747 million) would take him with the third overall pick.
