Paul SkenesTodd Kirkland/Getty Images
3. OF Max Clark, Detroit Tigers
2024 Stats (A): 68 G, 310 PA, 6 HR, 24 SB, .281 AVG, .382 OBP, .400 SLG
The Tigers haven’t had the best luck at the top of the draft in recent years, especially with former No. 1 picks Casey Mize and Spencer Torkelson looking like busts.
So far, though, Clark looks like he’s going to be a Riley Greene-type success story. He’s tied for fourth in the Florida State League in OBP, as well as for stolen bases. He’s also been red-hot in July, going 9-for-19 with two home runs.
Power may never be Clark’s carrying tool, but his hit and especially his speed tools are so good that it might not matter. The Tigers need him to be a Jarren Duran, not an Aaron Judge.
2. CF Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
2024 Stats (AA/AAA): 68 G, 294 PA, 8 HR, 18 SB, .265 AVG, .328 OBP, .436 SLG
Following a junior season for LSU in which he hit .426/.567/.713, there was buzz that Crews would be the No. 1 pick last year. Bully for the Nationals, then, that he dropped to them.
The overall returns on Crews’ first full season in pro ball aren’t great, but the progress is there if you know where to look. He indeed forced his promotion to Triple-A Rochester in June by hitting .303 in his last 30 games for Double-A Harrisburg.
We also know Crews is averaging 90.9 mph on his tracked batted balls. That is 3 mph above the leaguewide average at the Triple-A level.
1. RHP Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
2024 Stats (MLB): 10 GS, 59.1 IP, 48 H (7 HR), 78 K, 12 BB, 2.12 ERA
Organizational Rank: Not Eligible
Crews may not yet be a star in MLB, but the Pirates have to feel pretty good about taking Skenes instead with the No. 1 pick.
He laid waste to Triple-A hitters earlier in the year, notably striking out 45 of the 105 batters he faced. Major league hitters haven’t fared much better, and who can blame them? His 99.2 mph fastball is the hardest by any starter and his “splinker” is the most valuable split-finger fastball in the game.
Skenes made history on Sunday, becoming the first player to go from the No. 1 pick in the draft to the All-Star Game in just one year. The way he’s going, it won’t be the last time he makes history.