Dylan Crews and Cooper Pratt are both featured in Future Stars Series advisory board member and well-respected analyst Keith Law’s recently released 2023 MLB Draft rankings at The Athletic ($), even with the list being limited to just a Top 30 given how early in the process it still is.
Crews, of course, was at the top, ranked No. 2 just behind Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford, with Law writing “these guys are likely to be 1-2 or 2-1 on just about every team’s list.”
Under consideration as a potential first-round pick out of high school, Crews elected to instead withdraw his name and honor his commitment to LSU, where he’s since continued to develop as one of the most disciplined, but prolific hitters in all of college baseball. A plus hitter with plus power who is also an above-average runner with a solid arm, Crews won’t need long in the minors before he emerges an everyday major-league outfielder with perennial All-Star potential.
As for Pratt, an easy argument can be made that his stock skyrocketed immediately after his showing at the most recent Future Stars Series Main Event, where he showed significant pull-side power against premium arms with velocity, culminating with a no-doubt home run into the bullpen at Dunkin Donuts Park, home of the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, as seen below.
Pratt, who came in at No. 18 on The Athletic’s list, is projected as a 55/60 in both hit and power according to Law’s analysis, and already features a plus arm that suits him well at shortstop currently, but could also see him move to third as he continues to develop physically, as Law also notes.
Entering his senior season in high school, the Mississippi commit often draws comparisons to Gunnar Henderson, who is considered by many outlets to be the best prospect in baseball. Like Henderson, Pratt is lauded for his bat-to-ball skills, as well as his plate discipline, both of which were noted by many of the big-league scouts in attendance at the Caribbean Classic, where Pratt was dominant against some highly-regarded international arms.
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
- Baccala set to return, 2025 calendar additions coming - April 23, 2025
- Catching up with 2022 Main Event, Caribbean Classic alum Boston Baro - April 22, 2025
- Catching up with 2017 International Week alum Andrew Walling - April 21, 2025
