Jay Johnson's first impression of both Dylan Crews and Paul Skenes was strikingly similar to how 28 big league teams will feel on draft day: admiration from afar with little to no chance of seeing them play for his team.
Back when he was the head coach for Arizona, Johnson distinctly remembers how struck he was by the talent of both players.
For Crews, the famous prep outfield prospect who was a mainstay with USA Baseball's national teams and consistently regarded as one of the most talented players in his class, it was during the 15U USA Baseball roster trials.
"When I saw him I was like, 'Man, that is a real player, "Johnson said. "You could see the talent, but he was so far advanced (in terms of) actually knowing how to play the game (compared) to the normal 15-year-old. It was like Nick Madrigal's instincts and how he moved but with more explosive and athletic talent, if you will."
Johnson would have loved to recruit Crews to Arizona, but Crews announced his commitment to Paul Mainieri's Louisiana State program around the time of the 15U trials.
Skenes wasn't as highly regarded as Crews as a high schooler, but Johnson still remembers being blown away with his talent-but it was his hitting ability that caught his eye at the time.
"I remember seeing him hit in high school on the circuit-Area Codes or something like that and then he was committed to Air Force and I was like, 'Gosh, this has to be one of the best players Air Force has ever signed." " Both Crews and Skenes were members of the 2020 high school class, which meant their senior spring seasons were cut dramatically short and both had to contend with a five-round draft.
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THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound