5 MLB draft-eligible prospects to watch in College World Series

The best NCAA baseball teams and players invade Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series running June 15-26. The following five draft-eligible prospects are all nominees for the Golden Spikes Award, and their play during the tournament could impact where they land in the 2023 MLB Draft on July 9-11. All five are expected to be selected within the top 10 picks.

Dylan Crews, LSU

Crews is the top-rated prospect and favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. The LSU star is a great right-handed hitter with plus power. The 21-year-old also has a solid approach at the plate that's helped him succeed against tough opposing pitchers with high velocity. Crews will likely play center field in the majors due to his athleticism. The Pirates or Tigers project to be the most realistic landing spots for him.

Wyatt Langford, Florida

Langford is also in the conversation for the top pick, thanks to his five-tool potential. The Florida outfielder has great plate discipline, walking 51 times compared to just 41 strikeouts. The 21-year-old also has the potential to improve on his raw power. Langford can play center field in the majors despite manning left field over the last few years for the Gators.

Paul Skenes, LSU

Skenes is the prototypical No. 1 starter with a fastball that tops out at 102 mph. The 21-year-old has been described as the best college pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg in 2009 after leading NCAA D1 schools in strikeouts, K/9, and WHIP. Skenes' 16.6 K/9 finished just behind Ryan Wagner's all-time D1 record of 16.8 in 2003. The Nationals would make a lot of sense for the electric LSU product with the No. 2 pick if Crews goes first.

Kyle Teel, Virginia

Teel is a left-handed hitting catcher who can hit for average and power. The ACC Baseball Player of the Year also walked (31) almost as many times as he struck out (33). The Virginia standout played at multiple positions over his college career, but his great arm and athleticism stood out behind the plate. The 21-year-old caught 12 runners stealing on 22 attempts during the regular season. Teel doesn't have the same buzz as Crews, Langford, or Skenes. Yet, he has a chance to cement his status as a top-10 pick.

Rhett Lowder, Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons ace and 2023 ACC Pitcher of the Year has great stuff at age 21. He can hit 97 with his fastball and features one of the best changeups in college. Lowder also has a solid 6-foot-2 frame that should make him durable at the major-league level. The right-hander only allowed nine homers and 22 walks over 17 starts this season. Lowder could end up being the second pitcher taken in the draft with a strong showing in Omaha.

Honorable mentions: Chase Dollander (Tennessee), Hurston Waldrep (Florida), Tommy Troy (Stanford), Brayden Taylor (TCU)