Sunday night, LSU Tiger teammates Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews were the first names called at the 2023 MLB draft, being selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and No. 2 overall by the Washington Nationals, respectively.
The pairing’s selection marks the first time since 2021 a pair of teammates has gone in the first 10 picks of the MLB draft, continuing a recent trend across sports of teammates being drafted early. Here’s a look at the last time teammates were drafted in the top 10 of some major American drafts:
MLB: Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker
Vanderbilt Commodores
Draft year: 2021
Leiter and Rocker provided a remarkable one-two punch on the mound for the Commodores in 2021, combining for 25 wins on the year. All the other members of the Vanderbilt pitching staff combined for 24. Leiter and Rocker were rewarded with top-10 selections — Leiter to the Texas Rangers at No. 2 and Rocker to the New York Mets at No. 10. Interestingly, the pair would once again end up on the same team after the Mets opted not to sign Rocker due to medical concerns. Rocker would then re-enroll in the 2022 draft, where he was taken by the Rangers with the No. 3 pick. Both pitchers are still part of the Rangers organization, developing in the minor leagues.
