The scouting department of the Pittsburgh Pirates will be gearing up for a busy weekend as they prepare to watch this week’s Super Regional round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
And with the Major League Baseball Draft approaching in just a month, the upcoming tournament presents the ideal opportunity for the Pirates – and customers at PA betting sites – to thoroughly evaluate the prospect they are most likely to choose with their first overall selection.
The tournament will have three prospects expected to be among the top five picks, highlighted by LSU’s outfielder Dylan Crews and his teammate, right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes. Staying within the conference, Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford will also showcase his potential for scouts to assess.
Pittsburgh Pirates Draft Prospectus
The Pirates will face a series of challenging weeks ahead as they identify their primary player position needs and determine which selection will best align with their long-term structure. Whether Pittsburgh opts for a more experienced, proven player out of college or selects a much younger, inexperienced high school player to develop through its farm system at No. 1 overall, the team’s backers at Pennsylvania sports betting apps will look forward to the odds offered at the possibility of these prospects.
With some of the best prospects participating in the NCAA Baseball Tournament and the 2023 MLB Draft just a month away, BetPennsylvania.com provided hypothetical odds of who the Pittsburgh Pirates will select with their No. 1 overall pick.
Whoever the Pirates choose to be a key cog in their new generation of baseball, expect the Buccos to be one of the top-wagered teams in the near future.
In the meantime, BetPennsylvania.com will keep bringing you the latest betting news on the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as the best Pennsylvania betting promotions.
Pirates No. 1 Overall Pick Odds For 2023
No Consensus, But Crews Leads Strong Class
Dylan Crews (+200 hypothetical odds) is the favorite to be selected with the top overall pick, leading a group of promising prospects atop the deepest draft classes in recent years. Crews’ remarkable consistency, strength, and work ethic were on full display throughout his three years with the Tigers, who compete in college baseball’s toughest conference, the SEC.
An outfielder first, Crews possesses dynamic athleticism, sharp baseball IQ and, best of all, serious hitting ability. His powerful swing has led to career bests of a .432 batting average and .736 slugging percentage in 2023, his final year in college. According to MLB experts, the Pirates’ biggest needs lie in the hands of an outfielder or pitcher. In a national champion or bust scenario for LSU, scouts will also evaluate Crews’ performance under pressure at the biggest stage of his career.
He and another top prospect have led LSU to the Super Region round this weekend, where the Tigers, the No. 5 national seed, host SEC rival and No. 12 seed Kentucky. LSU has +600 odds at BetMGM Pennsylvania sportsbook to win the College World Series, second behind only No. 1 seed Wake Forest.
His Tigers teammate, Paul Skenes (+365), is a commanding 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher armed with a precise, above-average fastball and an effective variety of pitches.
The Air Force transfer posted career numbers in almost every category in 2023, contributing an 11-2 record with an ERA of 1.90. Those eye-popping numbers combined with his pitching efficiency and stature show why he is the best pitcher in this year’s MLB draft. It’s important to note that experts include pitching depth as one of the biggest needs for the Pirates.
If the Pirates opt for a younger prospect, Max Clark (+400), out of Franklin High School in Indiana, is their best choice. The 18-year-old outfielder is a potential five-tool player, led by his powerful left-handed swing with excellent bat speed and hand-eye coordination. Crews’ experience and age are what experts believe will be the deciding factor for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Florida’s outfielder Wyatt Langford (+850) and North Carolina’s South Brunswick product, outfielder Walker Jenkins (+850), are tied for fourth in the hypothetical odds by BetPennsylvania, your home for not only sports coverage but updates on PA online casinos as well.
