SEC Baseball: 7 potential first round picks in 2023 MLB Draft

Set to take place in the coming days, SEC baseball is shaping up to be well represented in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, as the well as the draft overall once again. So, with that thought in mind, here are seven names in particular that you should be watching for as potential first round picks in the 2023 MLB Draft.

7 potential SEC baseball first round picks in 2023 MLB Draft

RHP Paul Skenes – LSU Tigers

One of the most dominant pitchers that SEC baseball has seen in recent memory, Skenes capped a memorable 2023 season at LSU with a national championship not too-long ago, and is likely set to add top MLB Draft pick to his already impressive resume in the coming days. Skenes, who was the 2023 SEC Pitcher of the Year, is the arguable favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and will likely not fall past No. 2 to the Washington Nationals if he doesn’t go first.

OF Dylan Crews – LSU Tigers

The 2023 SEC Player of the Year and Golden Spikes Award winner, Dylan Crews is also set to add top MLB Draft pick to his already impressive resume in the coming days. Crews is likely going to be the second LSU player selected within the top five, and is certainly a candidate to go No. 1 overall to the Pirates alongside teammate Skenes, as well as No. 2 to Washington if he doesn’t come off the board first.

OF Wyatt Langford – Florida Gators

Alongside both Skenes and Crews previously, Langford is the third SEC baseball product that could land within the top five picks overall. The Florida outfielder could also be a potential dark horse to go No. 1 overall, with teams such as Pittsburgh and Washington also teams to watch for alongside the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, and Minnesota Twins in the No. 3-5 spots.

RHP Chase Dollander – Tennessee Volunteers

After the three mentioned previously, the SEC’s next player selected in the first round could come in the No. 11-15 pick range, with Dollander as the next likeliest name to come off the board. The right-hander’s draft stock likely slid during the 2023 season, but is still certainly set to go early in the first round.

SS Jacob Gonzalez – Ole Miss Rebels

Another draft prospect from the SEC whose stock might have also fallen during the 2023 season is Gonzalez. However, the Ole Miss shortstop, similar to Dollander, is still likely to be selected in the top-half of the first round.

RHP Hurston Waldrep – Florida Gators

Likely the SEC’s first pitcher to come off the board after Skenes and Dollander is Waldrep. Waldrep could potentially come off the board at some point as early as the No. 11-15 pick range, and will likely not have to wait very long to hear his name called after, should he not go in those picks.

OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. – Vanderbilt Commodores

SEC baseball’s other outfielder that could potentially go in the first round is Bradfield, who is likely to be selected in the middle of the first round. Bradfield is one of the fastest players available, and is arguably the conference’s final lock to go in the first round.

Others To Watch For: RHP Ty Floyd (LSU Tigers), RHP Brandon Sproat (Florida Gators)