Likely the best player in this year's draft also could well be the most difficult to pin down.
LSU outfielder Dylan Crews has all of the tools be a successful Major League player, and if not for some questions off the field regarding if he would play for the Pirates or if they'll pay for him, he would be a surefire No. 1 overall pick at this year's MLB Draft.
With all of those skills, it's hard to pin down a 1:1 comparison for Crews in Major League Baseball. There aren't a lot of players with his aversion to strikeouts and power, and he does have some question marks in the field.
Crews is certainly imperfect. He falls short of being the five-tool player Mike Trout is, but he does grade out at above-average fielding and with his arm. He has the potential to be a centerfielder in the majors, though he'll likely start out as a corner outfielder.
Where teams will fall in love with him is his bat. Players who hit for Crews' power generally strike out at a high clip. Crews struck out just 13.3 percent of the time with LSU last year while playing in the SEC, and he paired that with 18 homers. He has outstanding plate discipline, and he has a very good two-strike approach that will serve him well throughout his baseball career.
MORE: MLB Mock Draft 2023, 3-round edition: Will Skenes or Crews go No. 1?
Who does all of this evoke? The Sporting News draws some comparisons for Crews to modern MLB players.
Dylan Crews MLB comparisons
Every baseball player is unique and has their own traits, so there isn't a perfect comparison, especially for a player like Crews.
Here are the basics: Crews is a big right-handed bat with average to above-average ability in the field and a strong arm. Though he'll likely get looks as a corner outfielder and a centerfielder, it's likely corner is where he'll settle, though it's impossible to rule out a defensive jump.
Crews will bring a lot to the table. Here are some comparisons for what that could look like.
Andrew McCutchen
- Career bWAR: 48.5
- Batting Average: .277
- Home Runs: 297
- K%: 18.9%
- Assists: 79
When talking about Crews' future, who better to start with than a Pirates legend?
McCutchen is rounding out what's already been an incredible career in Pittsburgh, and he's still having an impact at 36 years old. He may not have a Hall of Fame career, but he's a lock for Hall of Very Good.
At his prime McCutchen regularly hung around 25 home runs and a strikeout percentage of 15-20 percent. Crews has the potential to keep his strikeout number even lower while perhaps bringing a bit -- albeit not a ton -- more power.
Although McCutchen doesn't bring amazing defense to the fold -- it's only in the past two seasons he's had positive outs above average -- his arm strength puts him right around Crews.
Justin Upton
- Career bWAR: 32.3
- Batting Average: .261
- Home Runs: 325
- K%: 25.8%
- Assists: 64
Upton's similarities to Crews mostly lie at the plate, though they have some similarities defensively as well.
We're including Upton for his power. The outfielder was capable of hitting 110-plus mph missiles throughout his career, and in his prime he was reliable for 25-30 home runs.
Upton had a longevity that would make a lot of players jealous, especially since he never truly lived up to his No. 1 overall status. A legitimately great prospect, Upton finished with a career OPS+ of 117 (100 is average).
MORE: Final top 100 big board of 2023 MLB Draft prospects
The fundamental difference between Upton and Crews is approach late in the count. Upton's strikeout percentage is likely a number Crews isn't ever going to scrape. There's no denying the pop in that bat though.
Kyle Tucker
- Career bWAR: 14.6
- Batting Average: .272
- Home Runs: 86
- K%: 16.3%
- Assists: 24
Let's go a little younger. Kyle Tucker is one of those rare players who can hit the ball ridiculously hard while also not striking out much.
Tucker is quietly enjoying a nice season for the Astros, who have battled injury this year, hitting 13 home runs while striking out just 13 percent of the time.
Again, where this comparison starts to sputter is factoring in defense. Tucker does not play an especially solid right field, plus there's the important factor he hits left-handed. However, he's a decent indication of what good power and a very discerning eye can look like at the next level.
Dylan Crews case for No. 1
Try talent.
The best reason to pick Crews is that he's the most complete player in the draft and he would immediately jump to the top of the Pirates farm system. Plus, as a player into his 20s, he could have an arrival date as soon as next season.
Crews is the biggest slam dunk No. 1 since Adley Rutschman in 2019. Sure, the Pirates could underslot this pick like they did in 2021 when they selected Henry Davis. But the Pirates need reinforcements sooner than later. Crews would help them in the field and at the plate. That's a hard proposition to turn down.
Crews won't come into the majors and hit .400, that's an inevitability. But his versatility, range, and ability to lay off bad pitches should keep him around the league even if he struggles early.
Even with the inflated college numbers, it's clear Crews is ready for the next step. Now the only question that remains is who is going to take it with him.